Montpellier Integrated Studies Program

» General Information

Location:

Montpellier, France (Population: 300,000)

Description:

The University of Minnesota program in Montpellier is based in one of France’s fastest growing cities, within easy reach of both mountains and the Mediterranean, and home to 100,000 university students. Students on the Integrated Studies track take a variety of special courses with American and international students at the Institute for Foreign Students as well as regular University of Montpellier courses with French students on the university's Paul Valéry (liberal arts) campus. All classes are taught in French by University faculty. Students who enroll for fall or the full academic year have the option of participating in a credit-bearing pre-session upon arrival in September.  Homestay living integrates students into everyday French culture while the program's supplemental excursions introduce students to the uniqueness of southern France.


Terms:

Fall Semester (Fall Quarter), Spring Semester (Winter/Spring Quarters), Full Year

Sponsor:

The University of Minnesota (UMN)

Website:

Study Abroad in Montpellier, France


» Related Links

» Other Programs in France

Northwestern Requirements

  • All students are required to enroll in the Integrated Studies track of this program (for advanced French students).
  • Fall and Full Year students must have completed two years or the equivalent of college level French; Winter/Spring students must have completed 2.5 years.
  • Students on this program are required to live in homestays with French families (arranged by UMN).
  • The Northwestern Department of French and Italian recommends that students take at least 2 200-level French courses before beginning the program.

Academic Specialties

French Language and Culture, Communications, Southern French Civilization, Humanities, Geography, Fine Arts, Cinema, Art History, Science and Engineering.

Course Type

Students select from both University of Montpellier courses and program courses taught at the International Institute for Foreign Students, located on the university's Paul Valery campus.

Additional Information

Internship opportunities and French Teaching Assistantships are available.  Contact UMN for more information.

About Montpellier:
Located approximately 10 miles from the Mediterranean coast and 125 miles from the Spanish border, Montpellier revolves around a vibrant, liberal student atmosphere. As one of France’s fastest growing cities and an emerging cultural and educational center, it retains the centuries-old history of intellectual advances and social tolerance. It is located in southern France and is the ideal place for an introduction to French language and culture due to its reasonable size, university-oriented culture, and various cultural offerings.

Northwestern also recommends the University of Minnesota's Montpellier Summer program, which offers an intensive French language and cultural study track and is designed for students at the intermediate level. Students take a prescribed curriculum with other international students at the Institute for Foreign Students, located on the University of Montpellier's Paul Valéry (liberal arts) campus.  Students enrolling in the eight-week term are eligible to earn 8-10 semester credits (approximately 3 NU credits) of intensive French language study, which covers the entire year of intermediate French at Northwestern.

Housing

Homestays

Program Costs

Fall 2009: $18740

  • This includes the estimated cost for tuition, room, board, books, transportation, personal expenses and SAAF. The sample costs provided are for the fall term; for other terms and for the most current cost, contact the sponsoring organization.

Approximate Program Size

  • Fall:  60 students
  • Spring:  50 students
  • Full Year: 30-35 students

Application Requirements

Prior to receiving an application, all Northwestern students must complete the following steps:

  • Complete the mandatory Study Abroad 101 Quiz on Blackboard.  Call 847-467-6400 or e-mail studyabroad@northwestern.edu (include your name and netID) to register for this quiz.
  • After receiving a score of 90% or above, students can pick up the Northwestern University Application for Permission to Study Abroad at the Study Abroad Office. This application it is not available online.

Northwestern students must complete two applications for this program:

  • The Northwestern University Application for Permission to Study Abroad.
  • A UMN program application, sent directly to UMN along with the application fee (check made payable to UMN).

Contact Returnees

Northwestern students may enter this section of the site for a list of students who participated in this program.