Our French Language Immersion & Area Studies Program has two important goals: to improve your written and verbal proficiency in French through language and area studies courses, and to introduce you to contemporary France and its role in the European Union.
Once you’ve applied for a program, I’ll be your direct point of contact. From housing to course registration and everything in between, I’m here to help you prepare to study abroad. Once you’re accepted to your program, you’ll find even more detailed information about what you need to know before you depart in your Predeparture Guide. Let’s get started!
Want to know what’s it’s really like to live in France? Come to Nantes!
Nantes just might be the perfect place to improve your French language skills. That’s because it’s not a tourist destination, so English is rarely spoken. But Nantes is a spectacularly beautiful city on the Loire River, featuring gorgeous architecture, charming attractions, and beautiful outdoor spaces. Nantes is also home to some of the most delicious food France has to offer. It’s also very manageable, eco-friendly, and great to bike around in. Explore all that this city has to offer as you immerse yourself in French language, culture, academics, and innovation!
Delve into the world of life in Nantes, France with me as I discuss all that the adjustment period of study abroad brings!
Live in a private room with a local family in a homestay. Many host families have been welcoming IES Abroad students into their homes for years. Only one IES Abroad student is housed with each family. You receive breakfast daily and five evening meals per week.
“Living with a host family is one of IES Abroad Nantes’s most unique and best assets, and it [is] definitely the best contributor to my French.”Sophia B. • University of Portland • Nantes – French Language Immersion & Area Studies
Our mission is simple: to provide you with the best study abroad program possible—which includes the highest quality academic and cultural experiences.
We offer unique courses that explore French language, history, and culture, as well as other topics, through an in-depth and hands-on approach. Our world-class professors and course options at prestigious local institutions enhance your academic experience and provide you with new perspectives each day in class.
The main campus, called Tertre Campus, hosts the colleges of Language, Literature, Geography, History, Art History, Humanities, Political Science, Business, Economics and Management, Education, and Psychology. The Tertre campus, situated on the Erdre River, is located in the outskirts of Nantes, in the northern part of the city. The Tertre Campus of the Université de Nantes can easily be reached by tram and buses. It is only a 15-minute tram ride from the city center and approximately 25 minutes from the IES Abroad Center.
The Lombarderie Campus hosts all courses in the sciences and is a 10-minute tram ride from the city center and the IES Abroad Center, in the same direction as Tertre Campus.
You are automatically registered at the Nantes Université and are encouraged to enroll in at least one university course provided you have the appropriate prerequisites.
Create your own academic experience by selecting from the following program components. You take 15–19 credits per semester. All courses are taught in French.
To learn more about IES Abroad’s innovative theoretical and pedagogical approaches to teaching language abroad, refer to the IES Abroad MAP for Language & Intercultural Communication.
NOTE: This is a list of possible course offerings. After you are accepted, you will see a list of final course offerings in your MyIESabroad account. Additionally, IES Abroad reserves the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or circumstances beyond our control.
| Course name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| AH 314 - French 19th and 20th Century Art | Fall | French | 3 |
| AH 313 - French Classicism: Art and Architecture | Spring | French | 3 |
French Universities DO NOT provide syllabi prior to the start of classes. IES Abroad may have samples of past syllabi, but cannot guarantee that a specific course will be offered at a partner university.
The amount of credit awarded by local universities varies between 2-4 credits depending on the course. Course offerings vary from semester to semester, and course listings and syllabi are available shortly before the beginning of the academic year.
Most university courses are assigned 3 credits for a semester. At the Nantes Université, most courses consist of a cours magistral (lecture course) and a travaux dirigés (discussion sessions). The lecture course is taught by a professor or a maître de conférences, and the travaux dirigés are generally taught by an associate professor. You may select French-taught courses in:
The amount of credit awarded by local universities varies between 2-4 credits depending on the course. Course offerings vary from semester to semester, and course listings and syllabi are available shortly before the beginning of the academic year.
École des Beaux-Arts courses are practical workshops - you work alone with advising from the class instructor. Your evaluation and grade is based on your work and progress in class. Classes are available in:
Getting your passport is a crucial step for studying abroad. With processing times taking longer than usual, consider this a gentle reminder to not procrastinate on getting or renewing your passport.
Even though your adventure starts in Nantes, our field trips take you beyond the city to discover the culture and traditions of your host country. All trips are included in the program fee unless otherwise noted with ($).
NOTE: IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities, and lengths of stay may vary according to term and availability.
Stay overnight in Caen, city of William the Conqueror. Visit the local castle and the American Cemetery of Colleville next to the D-Day beaches to learn more about Normandy’s role in World War II.
Tour this small, charming town dating back to the middle ages and known for its distinctive Tuscan-inspired architecture.
Visit several of the most famous châteaux in the heart of the Loire Valley, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This region is known for its wine production and for being the former playground of the French kings, who came here to hunt.
Explore one of the most beautiful cities in France, notorious for its wine tradition and production. Sample Cognac in the small town where it is made.
Did you know that, while in Nantes, you can intern as part of your study abroad experience? With a part-time internship, you’ll gain global work experience that will increase your job readiness and give you an advantage after graduation. With an internship, you will:
All of our internships are supervised and earn IES Abroad credit. You participate in a 3-credit seminar to complement the practical experience you gain during the internship for a greater understanding of work life in your host country.
Participating in a teaching internship in Nantes as part of your study abroad experience gives you the opportunity to learn about the French education system and teach English to French students. No prior teaching experience is required. A teaching internship abroad will help distinguish your application for graduate school or a job opportunity. Additionally, it is also an ideal training for students who might want to come to France after graduation to teach English, as many Nantes alumni have done in the past.
You complete at least four hours of supervised teaching each week. Placements are available in écoles primaires (elementary schools), collèges (junior high schools), and lycées (high schools) in Nantes. It is an exhilarating challenge, and we’re here to help guide you in securing your placement and succeeding in your internship.
When you volunteer in Nantes, you have the chance to make a difference in the local community while meeting new people and gaining a new perspective on the world. If you are passionate about volunteering abroad, just let the on-site staff know at the beginning of your term.
Past volunteer opportunities in Nantes include:
Help in a community food bank
Help underprivileged communities
Tutor children in need
Getting your passport is a crucial step for studying abroad. With processing times taking longer than usual, consider this a gentle reminder to not procrastinate on getting or renewing your passport.
The Center is where our highly trained local staff provide on-the-ground support throughout your time abroad.
The IES Abroad Nantes Center is located in a gorgeous 19th-century residential building, just steps away from the historic Center of the city. Whether you’re finishing up a show at the Théâtre Graslin, absorbing the art at the Passage Pommeraye, or looking for a cozy place to read, the Center is your study abroad hub.
With 70 years of experience, we are proud to set the standard for health and safety in study abroad. Our Chicago-based and on-site staff are all highly trained and experienced in the matters of health, safety, and crisis management. We are here for you from predeparture to your return, and are ready to support you—no matter which time zone you’re in. We plan for "what ifs" so that you don’t have to. From international health insurance included in the cost of your program to highly-trained local staff who can connect you to English-speaking healthcare providers, we are working around the clock to ensure your health and safety while abroad.
No one knows the IES Abroad experience better than a student who has lived it! From budget tips to housing experiences, our volunteer Ambassadors are here to share it all.
Delve into the world of life in Nantes, France with me as I discuss all that the adjustment period of study abroad brings!
This post covers a few mishaps that can happen in the process of organizing the logistics for studying abroad.
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