Summer Study Abroad Programs in Grenoble, France

When I decided I wanted to go abroad, I was nervous about a lot of things. First off, I was scared that when I went abroad I would have to settle for a location I did not want to be in because I needed my credits to transfer over. Luckily AIFS had a program in a wonderful city with a bunch of classes that would transfer back to my home university super well. When I chose this program, I was overjoyed but nervous about living in a homestay. When I got there I was happily surprised to find that my host family was amazing and provided me with an experience I would not have been able to have if I had been in a dorm/apt. The people that I met in the program were some of the coolest people I have ever known and am happy to call them my friends to this day. If you are looking for a great program in Paris where you have the freedom to meet new people, travel, and find yourself in a new place, I would 100% recommend this to you!

In the spring of 2023, I had the incredible opportunity to study at the University of Grenoble Alpes in Grenoble, France, with the assistance of Academic Programs International (API). This experience was a dream come true, marking a period of significant personal and academic growth. Upon arriving in France, I was overwhelmed with a sense of achievement. It wasn't just about stepping onto new soil; it was about realizing a long-held goal. The initial feeling of loneliness quickly evaporated as I met my fellow students and mentors at the Paris airport. We connected instantly, sharing stories and dreams. It was here that I met some of my best friends for life, which became a crucial part of my journey. We spent a week in Paris with API’s amazing mentors, who helped ease our transition into life abroad. Then, we took a train to Grenoble, where some of us were dropped off with our host families and others, like myself, at the student housing. Living on my own for the first time was both challenging and enlightening. It taught me to appreciate my own company and to embrace both the quiet moments and the bustling life around me. The academic challenges were no less daunting. My courses in French politics and mythology pushed me to my limits, especially as I grappled with language barriers that made simple discussions feel like monumental tasks. However, these hurdles ignited a determination to improve my French. By the semester's end, I was not only more fluent but also more confident in my ability to connect with people from different backgrounds. API’s support throughout this process was invaluable. They provided guidance and resources that helped me navigate the complexities of studying abroad, from academic support to cultural immersion activities. Studying abroad was transformative. It was not just about the lessons learned in classrooms but about the rich, immersive experiences that taught me about life, resilience, and the beauty of diverse cultures. This journey has deeply influenced my worldview and continues to shape my ambitions and goals. It was an adventure that challenged me, changed me, and, above all, enriched me deeply. (( For whoever is reviewing the submissions, I made a short 1 minute long video with clips from my experience. I am unable to add it with a URL but can share it if needed. ))

I knew that I wanted to study abroad in Grenoble, France to learn about the French Resistance and wow! Being able to hike Le Bastille and visit the Resistance museum with API was amazing. I loved living with a host family and learning about the regional culture such as language, cuisine, and traditions. My API field trip would have to be when we visited Dijon together. I decided to attend Mass on Sunday morning and was welcomed by the local community. Truly, my API Grenoble experience was a cultural immersion and I am so grateful to have done this in my lifetime!

“I spent the spring of my sophomore year (Spring 2024) studying in Grenoble, France through API, and it was one of the most incredible experiences of my life! As a French major, I knew I wanted to go somewhere that my language skills would improve, but I was unsure about where. Grenoble ended up being pretty perfect for me. It wasn't too big and touristy like Paris or Lyon, which was helpful because the locals would speak French with me without immediately switching to English if I struggled, but it was also large enough that it had plenty of activities and opportunities for college students to be thoroughly entertained. It was also close enough to Lyon that it was easy to travel in and out of. I decided to stay with a host family and was so happy with my decision. I ended up living with a mom, dad, and four little girls ages 6, 10, 11, 13, which provided me with ample opportunity to practice my French and experience French culture and family dynamics at a deeper level. I grew so much in so many other ways outside of my language proficiency: I learned how to use public transport for the first time, had to get out of my comfort zone and meet new people, and solo travelled for the first time, which helped me grow in my confidence, and social and organizational skills.”

I spent the spring of my sophomore year (Spring 2024) studying in Grenoble, France through API, and it was one of the most incredible experiences of my life! As a French major, I knew I wanted to go somewhere that my language skills would improve, but I was unsure about where. Grenoble ended up being pretty perfect for me. It wasn't too big and touristy like Paris or Lyon, which was helpful because the locals would speak French with me without immediately switching to English if I struggled, but it was also large enough that it had plenty of activities and opportunities for college students to be thoroughly entertained. It was also close enough to Lyon that it was easy to travel in and out of. I decided to stay with a host family and was so happy with my decision. I ended up living with a mom, dad, and four little girls ages 6, 10, 11, 13, which provided me with ample opportunity to practice my French and experience French culture and family dynamics at a deeper level. I grew so much in so many other ways outside of my language proficiency: I learned how to use public transport for the first time, had to get out of my comfort zone and meet new people, and solo travelled for the first time, which helped me grow in my confidence, and social and organizational skills.

My semester abroad in Granada, Spain was absolutely unforgettable. I decided to stay with a host family and I lived in their home with another student in the same program. Living with a roommate, we became really close friends. My host family was so kind and welcoming, they included us in everything they did. I learned so much Spanish culture and tradition from spending time with the family. The school was called Center of Modern Languages and I had a mixture of Spanish and Business classes. I loved speaking Spanish in class and getting to know other students. AIFS provided a level placement test at the beginning of the semester so that everyone found courses that were appropriate for their knowledge of Spanish. The classes were very fun and I enjoyed going to class. The AIFS program excursions were some of the best experiences/trips that I went on. I was blown away by the Morocco trip as well as the Seville/Córdoba/Gibraltar weekend. The trips were well planned, affordable, and allowed for free time to explore with friends. I made so many connections with locals, got to experience once in a lifetime activities like riding camels next to the ocean, and tried amazing foods. The program application process was hassle-free and the program advisors in Granada are so helpful. I would often visit their office and just chat with them or ask their advice on where to visit on the weekend. They organized cooking classes, art classes, sporting events, and cultural activities like a flamenco show. Granada is such a wonderful city. It is very walkable and the people are very friendly. There are endless tapas bars in the city where you get free food with each drink purchase. I made friends with lots of locals and other students from across the US. I attended exchange club meetings where you get drinks and tapas, and you chat in whatever language you are trying to learn with people from around the world. AIFS did a wonderful job providing opportunities for all of the students in the program to get to know each other. I made a close-knit group of friends and we spent so much time together. I am so thankful for having met them thanks to AIFS. We even visited each other once we arrived back in the US! I would highly recommend this program to anyone who wants to experience Spain on a more personal scale compared to bigger cities. I think Granada is the most beautiful city, and the Alhambra is a must-see!

From the planning process to weeks after I came back CEA CAPA took care of me every step of the way. They made this experience super stress free which allowed me to be excited to study abroad. My studies abroad in Grenoble was the best experience of my life and I will never forget it.

CEA responded to this reviewMarch 16, 2024

Hi Chance! Thanks so much for reviewing your study abroad experience. I'm happy you found such value and support in CEA CAPA!

Studying abroad in Grenoble was genuinely one of the most impactful experiences I have had during my time in college. I truly enjoyed getting to explore a new culture and learn about a city I had no knowledge of prior to taking part in my study abroad program. I think Grenoble is a great location for study abroad as it has a high international student population, plenty of restaurants and activities to explore, and a wide variety of subjects to study at different universities. As an engineering student, I was very excited to be living in a city that had such a focus on technology and scientific innovation. Additionally, my onsite CEA CAPA program coordinator contributed greatly to my experience abroad. I really appreciated having her support while adjusting to a new environment and getting to take part in the activities and excursions she planned. Overall, I would definitely recommend this program to anyone looking to explore a new environment as I think Grenoble is truly a unique city with something for everyone.

CEA responded to this reviewMarch 21, 2024

Hi Stephanie! Your study abroad experience in Grenoble sounds great. Thanks for sharing your 10/10 feedback!

Berlin is a really wonderful and historic city to live in. My German is basically nonexistent and I still felt like I was able to get around fine. The AIFs staff are very supportive, and the organized actives were well structured and thought out. If you weren’t interested in some or all of the activities, you didn’t have to participate and there was plenty of time to do your own thing around Berlin or travel throughout Europe. I didn’t particularly enjoy my academic experience at Humboldt, there were a few good classes but also a few really awful ones. So, if I could do it again I would probably do the AIFS program with Freie Universität academic program.

My colleague and I have had the pleasure of accompanying 21 amazing humans on a 3 month journey that will most certainly change them for the rest of their lives. Thank you to AIFS for sharing Rome with us and attending to every detail that made this an experience that will live with us eternally. The AIFS Rome center staff were excellent in providing impactful excursions, extra-curricular courses, and ensuring that all of us were well informed and provided for in every part of our journey.

I had a lovely time here, although it was not without flaws. The amenities were not great especially considering how much we paid to be here. The company guilt tripped and body shamed us. But I made innumerable new friends and had experiences that I will cherish forever.

Very nice experience, learned a lot. People I’ve met here are now friends I will still be in contact with. The internship was where I learned new skills and networked with people within the fashion industry and got inspired by being here abroad

I definitely had a really exciting and wonderful trip. There were a few aspects like traveling and staying at more cities besides just Salzburg would have been a lot more fun. But the tours and field trips were absolutely incredible and the people who showed us around were amazing! Loved to see the history and beauty all over

From arrival to departure, AIFS made my study abroad experience a 11/10. Great staff through and through allowed for a complete cultural assimilation in the time I spent there. It was the experience of a lifetime that I would recommend to everyone.

While I was in Grenoble, the best part of my experience was getting to know my host family. For four months I was with them, they treated me like one of there own. This meant drinking licorice-flavored pastis with grandfather, and attending the nephew's baptism, and so much more. They made me the season's meals consistently to make sure I had the most authentic experience of their lives that I possibly could, and they also took me to places all around the city. They took me along my long route that I would then take every day for school to make sure I was comfortable (and a good thing too because I had never been on public transportation before). But most of all, they took care of me simply as good family, making me feel at home away from home.

AIFS was definitely the right choice for me and I think it will be for anyone else seriously considering study abroad. From the moment I signed up for emails (before applying) to now (over a year out from leaving Germany), I have felt so supported and have had a lovely experience. The included trips and activities were definitely my favorite parts (the street art tour and cooking class especially!) and I’m still in contact with our Resident Director, Nele :)

I got to go here in from the end of January to April. I really had an amazing time there is Grenoble. Ever since my first week there I really didn't know what to do after going to Université there in Grenoble. I eventually got in the swing of things and started to experience badminton, going around town for lunch on Saturdays, going to a church group for late night activities. I also loved all the excursions API took us on and got to see different cities. Also grenoble was just a breath of fresh air. I loved living in the mountains and taking the trams and other public transport to go around Grenoble. Walking was my main source of transportation. I also went to another country to visit another student who went to my college in the US. The mountains were amazing and I loved the feel of this city. There was so much to explore and the bastille which is a famous base for the military long ago was pretty cool and the view from the top were breathtaking. I liked my classes at the CUEF at Université de Grenoble Alps. I met a lot of nice people here beside the people in my program and got to connect with them and are now friends with them on social media platforms. I would love to visit Grenoble again and get to experience everything I got to do while I was there. I highly reccomend this program if you want to improve your language proficiency.

The thought of packing my bag and go to a new country that has a different culture and language from the ones I know was quite nerve-wracking. However, AIFS did a lot to help make the whole study abroad process goes as smoothly as possible. The admission counselor was quick to answer any questions and provided me all the information that I needed before departure. Once all the students arrived in Grenoble, my amazing resident director gave us a tour of the city, taught us how to use public transportation, and provided all the necessary information we need to navigate the new lifestyle. My time in Grenoble allowed me to meet amazing people and learn about a new culture. Thanks to AIFS, my overall study abroad experience was wonderful.

I absolutely loved my semester in Grenoble and I wish I was still there. API was so helpful in every step of the process and made studying abroad amazing. They were very helpful with all the pre-departure preparation and provided lots of pre-departure materials to help you understand what to expect. Once I got there, Anna and Marie (onsite directors) were wonderful and helped us feel right at home! I never had any problems, but they were always there just in case. They also took us on some pretty awesome excursions like the Paris orientation, snowshoeing, a weekend in Nice, and more. My host family was absolutely wonderful and they made my time abroad ten times better. They took me into the mountains to show me where the Olympics were held, to eat fondue, and to meet the grandparents. My French was horrible when I got there but my host mom was so patient with me. The cat was an extra added bonus and was literally the fluffiest cat I had ever seen. I also really enjoyed all of my classes while I was there. All the professors were very understanding of our language level and never made us feel stupid for not know that much French. They always talked slowly and simply but without being condescending. The electives were also interesting and my favorite was the Mythology class. I can't say enough about how amazing API, Grenoble, the university, my host family, and everything else was!

Everyone needs to go abroad. It is awesome experiencing so many cultures. Professors while abroad are very helpful and care about their students. I really enjoyed getting to know my professors and learning not only class content but also from their real life experiences. Traveling on the weekends was obviously my favorite part of this experience. I was able to visit a bunch of different countries. Wish I could stay longer.