Study Abroad Programs in Nantes, France

I had such an amazing experience in Nantes. I met new friends who I can't imagine living without now and we explored the city together for 4 months and had so much fun. From trying new restaurants to buying gifts for secret santa at the christmas market to getting drinks at the 'chat noir' bar and gossiping together. I can't express my gratitude to IES enough for bringing me such amazing friends who I got to experience such a great city with.

While abroad in Nantes, I experienced incredible academics, community, and exploration. In my time there, I stayed with a host family who took me in like I was a part of their own family. They invited me to events with them, supported me when I performed at our Thanksgiving Dinner hosted by IES, and generally was so kind and interested in my life. Academically, I was able to take classes at the local university where I met college students my age from France. I truly felt like part of the college student community. I also took a painting class at the Académie des Beaux Arts where I met a variety of people of a variety of ages, widening my community. And finally, I took classes with the IES Abroad students and staff. These were smaller classes where I could work on improving my French skills through a variety of subjects like history and film. Finally, the staff at IES Abroad Nantes is truly remarkable. They care so very much about their students, and are so invested in our health, safety, and success. This staff included 4 social and academic tutors our age. They helped us improve our French skills and also get involved in our Nantes community. They made us a family at IES.

IES Abroad Nantes truly provided me with the experience of a lifetime. Originally, I never wanted to go abroad, despite how one of my majors is in Francophone Studies. I attended multiple study abroad information sessions and turned down each one. Then, hours before the deadline to declare if you were going abroad, I told my college that I’d go. I looked through all my options, searching for a program that would be similar enough to my home in Maine. I found IES Abroad Nantes and, based on how it was near the Atlantic Ocean, thought I’d give it a try. I filled out their easy application, and IES Abroad walked me through the more complicated Visa application process. When it came down to a month before departure, they sent me plenty of information on what to do once I arrived in France. Upon arrival, IES Abroad Nantes faculty met me at the train station and made sure I made it to their centre, and then home to my host family. My host family was so wonderful and understanding of the shock that comes with experiencing a new culture and language without the support of people you know. I quickly grew very close with my host family. I ate dinner with them each night, and they left breakfast out for me in the mornings. My host mother and I drank tea by the fireplace each night before bed, then I’d watch the news with my host father. When they weren’t home, my youngest host sister and I made dinner together and chatted into the night, exchanging stories about our lives and cultures. I was even invited to my host brother’s fiançailles (engagement party), and I hadn’t even officially met him yet! That night spent in celebration with my five host siblings is one of my best memories of being abroad. As for the IES center, I took three classes there. The classes were small and consisted entirely of exchange students, yet they were all entirely in French. The small class sizes allowed me to get close to the professors, who were natively French. Additionally, there were tutors at the center who hosted events which encouraged us to immerse ourselves further into the culture of Nantes. A few examples are study sessions in local cafés, seasonal festivities happening throughout the city, weekly karaoke at a local bar, and a weekly Conversation Club that invited French university students to come chat with and then go out to dinner with our group of exchange students. On top of all this, IES Abroad Nantes provided us to go on excursions to visit other parts of France. As a group, we would leave for a weekend and IES Abroad Nantes provided us with room and board, as well as transportation and guidance. A few of the 12 places we visited in France outside of Nantes through IES Abroad were Guérande, les châteaux de la Loire Région, and Caen. I also took two classes outside of the center at the local French university, Nantes Université. My self-confidence improved immensely during this experience, as I realized I could excel in a classroom setting that was designed for native French-speakers. Because of this experience as a whole, my fluency in French skyrocketed. Not only that, but I also now have connections with people in France, as well as some exchange students from Lithuania and Germany. I also have a new knowledge of and love for a city I would not have discovered otherwise. I hope to return soon to my second-home and reunite with my host family and friends.

Studying abroad was one of the best experiences I could've had. Every day I noticed personal growth and confidence within myself and I am proud that I went on this journey fully by myself. I was also supported by my peers and IES staff who I will remember forever. The relationships I made on this trip, the personal growth, and immersive experience has positively affected me forever!

My time in Nantes was unforgettable and I am so grateful for IES, which not only paired me with an amazing host family that helped immerse me into the culture, but also gave me the opportunity to be an intern at a local middle school and get to have professors from the University of Nantes who were all very knowledgeable and amazing individuals themselves. I really enjoyed doing this program as it gave me the opportunity to use my French a lot more and I felt that I got the chance to improve even more than I would have if I had gone to a bigger city. Despite saying that though, Nantes still offers many of the amenities of a larger city and it was great to have the balance of living outside the city and going to school in the city, which was walkable from my housing. The four months I spent there felt like only 2 weeks and I'm so glad I got to have this experience. It was truly the perfect experience for me.

My time studying abroad for the Academic Year (2021-2022) in Nantes, France with IES was one of the most incredible times. I will always cherish the memories of the places I travelled, the food, the conversations, the people I met, the personal growth, confidence, and so many more amazing things I experienced abroad. I could go on and on about how much I love studying abroad and think everyone should do it. First, I think I was most nervous about my living situation because I was staying with a French family, and you never know. Fortunately, I absolutely loved my host family! They were so sweet and patient with me, and the absolute loveliest. I loved my meals with them, watching a movie after dinner or playing French Scrabble, going to the countryside with them, and other fond moments. So basically (just so I can make this post relatively to the point), living with a host family was amazing and really added to my time abroad in the best way! IES was also so helpful with so much of the living abroad process, including housing. They were always there in case you needed any assistance with your living situation, and truly wanted everyone to feel comfortable and enjoy their host families. The staff are also the sweetest. I loved just talking to them about anything, and most of the time it wasn’t even related to assistance or concerns, they’re just fun people to talk to (and practice French with)! IES also organizes cultural trips to different areas near Nantes which is informative, interesting, and fun. We also do so many activities within Nantes with the amazing French Assistants who are French students turned friends! There are many academic options at the local University, the fine arts University, and IES. I was able to take classes at all three, and it was a great experience to see French University life, as well as create art in France!! The classes at IES are great because the University professors know they’re teaching non-French native speakers, so I still learned so much but at a less fast-paced speed. The second semester I did the teaching internship, and although at first going into it I wasn’t sure if I would like it because middle schoolers sometimes scare me, and I didn’t know if I’d enjoy teaching. However, I absolutely loved my experience! I got to connect with French middle schoolers, teach them some American culture, learn about pedagogy in France, and work with a French teacher. To sum up my thoughts on Study Abroad: full send and go! I have never heard anyone come back and say they wish they had not gone. The experiences, memories, and everything that comes with living abroad and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone are irreplaceable. Plus who doesn’t want to see more of the world while still getting school credit?!

I was absolutely in love with this program. Each member of the faculty was continuously super helpful, and helped us get through any practical or personal issues we faced when there. They also made a clear effort to get to know each of the students and do all that they could to make sure we were comfortable, well-informed, and happy. I loved each class I took. Studying international relations, I feel as if these classes I took at IES honestly gave me a deeper engagement in many ways that I've missed out on in the past. The faculty and staff also organized more than enough activities to help us get acquainted with Paris and experience the city in a way we most likely would not have been able to do otherwise. From my French classes to my personal conversations with the faculty, as well as my homestay placement, my proficiency and comfort in the French language grew immensely. I can honestly say that my months with IES were the happiest months I have experienced in university and the only regret I have is not being able to stay for the full year. I'm now considering going back to Paris for my Master's. If you're looking for a program that will have you not wanting to leave at the end, then IES is the choice for you.

This program exceeded my expectations in every way possible! My host family was supportive, inclusive and interesting enough; they taught me the tiniest details about the local culture! The class offerings were vast, the line between the program and university was fast, easy to adapt-to and welcoming. The program allowed us to go on widely different, informative yet fun and active trips. Overall, this experience has allowed me to pursue my areas of interest, develop my French and learn a lot about the local culture! Amazing program!

I chose this program to improve my French comprehension and speaking skills, and I was able to do just that. I spoke French every day with my host family, my French and American friends, and the amazing staff at the IES center. I took classes at the local university which offered a unique view of everyday life and student life. There were a lot of nice restaurants and creperies to eat in and a lot of them offered great deals for students. When I wasn't working Nantes had a lot of things to do, including museums, the chateau, shops, the Machines-de-Ile, and much more! Overall I learned a lot of elements about French life and culture that are impossible to learn in the classroom and I'm eternally grateful that I had the opportunity to learn about this culture firsthand! I also got the chance to meet a lot of different people from all around France and the United States that I still keep in touch with. Definitely one of the most awesome things I've done!

IES Abroad Nice was one of the best decisions I have made in my life! I have never had the opportunity to live and become so submerged into another culture prior to this summer. I have always lived in Michigan and while having the opportunity to travel to various places, I have never been gone from home for so long. Walking to class every morning (even though we had class at 9 or 9:30 everyday which is super early for me) by all of the pastry shops and walking to the Mediterranean ocean after class to sunbathe was literally a dream. This program is super unique, too, because you also get the chance to live in Marseille (another town in France) and to travel around Morocco with the other people on the trip. I got super close with all of the other students as well as the director or the program, and look forward to returning to Nice very soon!

IES is a great organization to study abroad with and Nantes, specifically, is an awesome city to be in. These factors combined, it was a fantastic semester. IES provides a lot of assistance with the Visa process, homestay situation, picking classes, and taking trips around Nantes (such as wineries and castles). Nantes itself is a really cute city-- it has a hidden culture of music and art, and is teeming with young people, thanks to the University of Nantes network. I took four classes at the IES abroad center (so with other Americans in the program), one class at the University of Nantes, and one class at the local Fine Arts school. My IES classes were my favorite, because some were just four people, and never more than 15. The professors are all native French speakers from the Nantes region who are passionate about what they teach and want to bring you out into the community. For example, in my Art History class, we took a field trip to a covered mall (Passage Pommeraye) downtown to study the architecture, and in my Sociology class we sat in on a public trial. All these courses were in French, which is the aspect I was most worried about prior to the program, but which ended up being very positive. When I arrived at IES I quickly realized that people in the program have many different levels of French, which is great. There is a place for everyone, whether you're near-fluent or have only taken a few French classes. I also partook in the teaching internship in a local school. I was an English teaching assistant at a middle/high school, where four hours a week I taught/assisted in the classroom. That was also a great experience that I highly recommend. If you love galettes (savory crêpes), mild weather, kind people, and a new adventure everyday... Nantes is your place to go.

This program challenged me to grow immensely in my language speaking and comprehension skills, as well as my understanding of the French culture. Being that all my classes were in French and I only spoke French with my host family, I was definitely pushed out of my comfort zone, but the support of the IES abroad staff and host family helped me adjust and grow confidence in my new environment. I enjoyed making new study abroad friends, as well as French friends outside of the program. I learned a lot about France from the classes I took, as they touched on an array of topics from politics and religion, to food and customs, to slang and pop culture. One aspect that I would say really made my study abroad experience was my host family. We would go on trips, do different activities together, and have conversations where I learned about their life experiences, interests, and beliefs. They really made me feel like family, and the connection I made with them is something I cherish and I want to maintain. This program gave me new connections and great memories that I can take with me, and I'm glad I took part in it.

I am so glad that I spent my semester in Nantes! It was truly an unforgettable experience. Going into the semester, I was definitely a little apprehensive because I wasn't sure how well I would do immersed in the language, but after a while, I totally got the hang of things! I chose to stay in a homestay and that combined with the immersive schooling really pushed me to become a better French speaker. It was definitely one of the best decisions I have made and I miss sitting at cafes with my friends all the time!

Studying abroad in Nantes, France with IES is one of the best decisions I could have made. IES takes care of its students from the moment you are accepted to study abroad with them. Upon arrival, they welcome you with wide smiles and ensure a smooth transition to a new French life by having about ten days of orientation before classes begin. Even after the orientation period, staff members work to make sure students are enjoying their experience by asking you how you’re feeling or how your homestay is going. IES goes further than giving students a good education by providing students with the opportunity to engage in cultural events that really allow you to get to know the city. Students are also able to make plenty of French friends by going to the Club de Conversation and speaking to French students in English and French. It is truly a fully immersive experience! By the time you leave, your French will have greatly improved and you will truly feel like a Nantais(e)!

If you were to ask me at the start of university if I would ever study abroad, I would've definitely said there's no way. In fall 2018, I challenged myself to do things outside of my comfort zone and being that I always wanted to go to France, I took the initiative to study abroad with IES at Skema Business School in spring 2019. Hands down one of the best decisions I've made. From the initiation of the study abroad process, I felt constantly reassured by the IES staff in my home country though I frequently doubted myself. The process of getting courses approved could deter anyone as it is very tedious and approvals aren't always guaranteed but honestly it just takes a strong sense of determination and hope to eventually get there. Like almost every other college kid, I struggle with procrastination. One thing that I really admired about IES Abroad, was the fact that there was an online portal to upload documents and this portal had different deadlines for varying documents, so it was very easy to keep abreast of the submissions and other outstanding requirements. What also aided in the portal being efficient was the fact that there were detailed descriptions therefore there wasn't much room for confusion. When I arrived in France, the IES abroad staff was just as hospitable. The center was walking distance from my homestay, so my friends and I would visit anytime we could. I would be lying if I said I never experienced culture shock. The first two weeks in France wasn't really the best time because I felt like I wasn't able to relate with the locals. Thanks to IES abroad, the transition went a bit smoother because they hosted games night with French locals and they had numerous events so that we could get acclimated with the French cuisine. I would do spring 2019 all over again because the memories that I've made, there is nothing that compares to the joy that I've held on to. My advice for anyone looking to study abroad is to go with an open mind. So much adventure awaits and I promise you, you'll enjoy.

I spent four months in Paris, France during the Spring 2019 semester. I am a nursing major at Hope College and I went to Paris to finish up my French minor. I decided to choose this particular IES Paris program because I really desired to grow in my overall French language skills, even though French may not have any direct involvement in my future career as a nurse. That being said, my decision to take classes entirely taught in French and to live in a home stay with a woman who only spoke French was hands-down THE best decision of my life. I grew immensely in my language skills, and I got to immerse myself in Parisian culture while also traveling around Europe on weekend excursions with the new friends I made there and together with my entire program. I grew in self-assurance and maturity as I navigated my life abroad very much independently, and I got to experience cultures drastically different from my own - which I believe is one of the most important things anyone could ever do. When I ask people now if they have plans to study abroad, and their response is "Well, I don't really have any reason to with my major," it is difficult for me not to laugh because I know what a huge impact studying abroad had on me and my entire perspective on life. Everyone should study abroad. I made some of the best friends of my entire life, and I grew into a mature adult with the confidence to travel and take huge leaps out of my comfort zone. I now better understand the importance of taking the time to appreciate and learn from other cultures, and I can understand a whole new language!!

I loved my experience with IES Abroad French Studies. I was placed with a homestay family, which allowed me to both practice French on a daily basis, but also to gain interesting points of view on current events and popular culture. My IES Aborad classes were excellent, and all taught by French university professors who both understood how to teach classes to American students and to students for whom French was their second language. I was also able to take classes at an outside university, and truly gain an understanding of the French university system, invaluable because I plan to return to France for further education after graduating college. I also met wonderful people during my time abroad, both students in my IES Abroad program, and French teenagers in my classes at the university. IES Abroad both encouraged and facilitated our immersion in French culture, and allowed students to really personalize the program to meet their specific goals.

I absolutely loved my semester with IES Nantes! This program is great for anyone trying to improve their French because it is so immersive: you live with a host family, all of your classes are in French, and most people doing the program with you have a passion for French! There are copious opportunities to practice your French in Nantes, a vibrant city that I grew to love. This program also has a great staff who really go the extra mile to help you become integrated and happy in France. I had some of the best four months of my life with IES Nantes and I would strongly recommend this program to anyone who has a passion for French or who wants to have an authentic cultural experience!

One thing I really appreciated about the IES Nantes program is how well they facilitated the growth of a close-knit community among the students in the program. I definitely didn't get to know everyone, but I made so many more friends than I expected to just by making meals together in the program center kitchen, hanging out (and sometimes jamming out) in the salon, and exploring Nantes together during/after program outings. They also host a conversion club that allows you to get to know other French students. I ended the semester with so many new friends. The only housing option available was homestay, but I feel like they did a good job of offering a variety of different homestays to accommodate people's different needs. Some people were with families with kids, some were with families with young adult kids that were the same age as them, some of them were just with one person. I felt incredibly well matched with my family and felt right at home with them. The program staff were really invested in getting to know the host families too and letting them get involved in the program. Some host parents would even come to the program center to host french cooking workshops! IES also had phenomenal staff! It can be hard when you're trying to communicate about housing, academics, and other aspects of life abroad in your second language, but the staff were always so kind, approachable, and willing to listen. Everyone in the program started at different levels in their French, and by the end we had all grown so much. The staff and professors were able to meet each of us where we were at with our French and work with us over the course of the semester as our language skills progressed. By the end of the semester, I was so proud of the work I had done and all that I had accomplished, both in my classes and in my day to day life ~en français~. I'm so glad to have chosen to study in Nantes, because I absolutely fell in love with the city! There was always plenty to do around town, but it never felt as overwhelming or as crowded as I was worried the city would. Nantes is no where near as touristy as Paris is, so you really will be practicing French with every local you meet. There are plenty of cool places nearby worth exploring, and travel from Nantes is very easy. Though I was perfectly happy staying in town for most of the semester. From program outings to events throughout the city, there was never a shortage of fun things to do and amazing cultural experiences to partake in!

The IES BIA Program gave me the opportunity to learn more about the political, economic, social, and cultural institutions in France through their planned excursions, weekend recommendations, and ticket giveaways for the Opera, Ballet, rugby games, and cooking classes. My French not only significantly improved through these immersive experiences, but also because of my host family, which was perhaps the best part of my experience. My host mom was kind and supportive, always helping me improve my French and introducing me to the different facets of French culture and cuisine. The classes were engaging and the small size allows you to interact with both the professors, which come from prestigious universities around France, as well as the students. Coming from a university with larger class sizes, this was something I appreciated. The classes also offered excursions; I went to the cinema with my French class to watch a movie and went to the World Trade Organization Headquarters in Geneva with my Market Trends and Economics class. I learned a lot about the policies that France and the European Union implement; a lot of the material presented in my classes as well as the presentations I completed impressed employers when doing internship interviews. My study abroad experience only grew my identity as a global citizen and shaped my ability to communicate across different cultures, which in an increasingly connected world is important. My decision to immerse myself as much as possible refined my French and by the end of the five months, I was confident and it was easy to carry on discussions in French. I highly recommend this program to others who are interested in learning about the facets of French culture and are studying business or international affairs because the knowledge you acquire is invaluable and will aid you in the future. I also recommend doing a homestay - it was probably one of the best decisions I made while abroad.