The University of Minnesota (UMN)

The 2008 summer program will run from July 1 - August 25. For a specific program itinerary please click here.

Northwestern Requirements for this program:

• Northwestern students to this program must have completed one year or the equivalent of college level French.
• Northwestern students applying to this program may only apply to the 8-week summer session.
• Applicants should have approximately a 3.0 GPA.

UMN Program Requirements:
Please visit the UMN web site listed above for more information on UMN program requirements.

The Montpellier Summer Program, administered by the University of Minnesota, offers an intensive French language and cultural study track and is designed for students at the intermediate level, though some advanced students can also be accommodated. The program will offer 8–10 semester credits (approximately 3 NU credits) of intensive French language study for intermediate students, which will serve to cover the entire year of intermediate French here at Northwestern. Northwestern students will enroll in an eight-week term. Students interested in an advanced track on this program should contact the Study Abroad Office for more information on the courses available.

Montpellier, located in Southern France approximately 10 miles from the Mediterranean coast and 125 miles from the Spanish border, is a city that very much 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 within the city.

Academic Specialties of this program:

French Language and Culture

The curriculum is a prescribed set of courses taken with other international students at the Institute for Foreign Students in Montpellier.

Additional Information:

Students may combine the summer semester with a fall or full year study abroad in Montpellier on the UMN-Montpellier Integrated Studies Program provided that they complete the necessary applications for both Northwestern and UMN prior to their departure.

Student Dormitories

Students attending this program will be billed directly by Northwestern for all program fees. The estimated cost for the 2008 program is $5,150 plus the Northwestern Study Abroad Administrative Fee of $725. This total cost estimate includes tuition for 3 Northwestern credits, housing, most program activities, administrative and registration fees, orientations (pre-departure and on-site), and international health insurance. Please note that all costs are subject to change based on the fluctuating exchange rate and other international economic factors. This total fee mentioned above does NOT include transportation (airfare), passport and visa fees, texts and materials, most meals, and other daily living expenses. For a more complete cost breakdown, please visit the UMN program fees page.

30-40 students typically attend the summer term in Montpellier.

Application Instructions:

1. Students applying to the UMN-Montpellier summer program DO NOT need to take the 101 session on Blackboard, as is required of other study abroad students.
2. Students must complete the Northwestern University Summer Study Abroad Application by March 5, 2008.
3. Please note that the Northwestern Summer Program deposit of $1000 due at the time of application does not apply for this program.
4. In addition, UMN requires students to complete a UMN Program Application and submit this application along with the application fee (check made payable to UMN) to the Northwestern Study Abroad Office along with their Northwestern University Summer Study Abroad Application on March 5.  This application can be found on the UMN web site.