Study Abroad Programs in Lyon, France

With some of the top-ranked universities in France and the world, Lyon plays host to a large and booming student scene. The opportunities to study in Lyon are almost endless, giving you a wide range of subjects to choose from. Some specific subjects that are popular for study abroad programs in Lyon include:

International Affairs. As the third-largest city in France, Lyon is a crucial center of international exchange and interaction. Perhaps most significantly, the Interpol Headquarters as well as the home-base for Euronews are located in Lyon. The large population of international professionals and organizations has given rise to a distinctly multinational focus at most of Lyon’s universities, with some institutions focused entirely on the subjects of politics and international affairs. Some examples of courses include, Government and Politics in France and Europe, or Politics and Economics in the European Union.

Cinema. The world-famous Lumière brothers took center-stage here in 1894, when they pioneered the world’s first motion picture. Today, Lyon carries on their tradition with not only one of the world’s largest film festivals, but also a proud culture of cinema not only throughout the city’s numerous historical movie theatres, but also in the classroom. If you are interested in French cinema, what better place to study abroad than in the birthplace of film itself? Courses may include Introduction to French Cinema or Great Authors in French Cinema.

Business & Economics. Lyon can boast ranking as the second richest city in France after Paris, and the city and its surrounding area is one of the most important economies in Europe. As such, numerous domestic and international companies have entrenched themselves along Lyon’s cobblestoned streets, especially in the biotechnology and software development industries. The city is a hotspot for business, and so most of the universities in Lyon focus on this area of study; therefore courses such as The Political Economy of European Integration or International and Intercultural Management are common.

History. Although many European cities can boast pasts that stretch back eons, few are as well-preserved as Lyon. Considering that the city was founded during the Ancient Roman Empire, the pristine preservation of its historical monuments, buildings, and artifacts are simply astounding. Lyon’s fierce pride in its history, which can tout the influence of Roman dictators, Medieval saints, and Revolutionary armies, is clearly present when studying history in Lyon. The city was also a center for the French Resistance during the German occupation of WWII. There is truly no better way to immerse yourself in the history of another culture than to walk through its streets, which have been standing for hundreds of centuries. Some examples of courses include History and Memory: France and the Second World War or Lyon: Memories, Identities, Territories.

Keep in mind that the French college environment is very formal, with a heavy emphasis on respect between professor and student. Although a large city with plenty of English-speaking students and professors and classes taught in English, some basic French language is almost always required to study abroad in Lyon.