The University of Minnesota offers a study abroad program at Paul Valéry University, the liberal arts division of the University of Montpellier.  Montpellier is one of France's fastest growing cities and an emerging cultural and educational center.  It is home to 100,000 university students and is the ideal place for an introduction to the French language and culture.

The summer program offers intensive French language study at the Institute for Foreign Students.  The program is designed for students at beginning and intermediate language levels.  Participants may choose either a four- or eight- week term and will receive credit for one language course for each 4-week term.

You will be placed in a single room in a university dormitory with modest cooking facilities available on each floor. The program fee does not include meals.

The tentative cost for Summer Session I (4 weeks) is $3750, and for Summer Session II (8 weeks) $5400.  Meals are not included.

For more information on scholarships from the University of Minnesota, click here. 

To be eligible, you must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5.  There is no language prerequisite. 

Submit University of Minnesota application, required items and $50 application fee to the Study Abroad Office.

Submit Saint Mary's required paperwork to the Study Abroad Office. 

Acceptance is contingent on a thorough review of the your application and subsequent approval from the University of Minnesota.

After acceptance, complete the following required items.

1.  Obtain a passport.  Submit a copy of the first page to the Study Abroad Office.

2.  Attend all orientation sessions.

3.  Arrange travel plans.  Submit a copy of your flight itinerary to the Study Abroad Office.

4.  Purchase the International Student Identity Card (ISIC) for $22 in the Study Abroad Office.

5.  Review your health information provided to you.

Location

France is the largest country in Western Europe, with a population of 55 million.  Montpellier is in the southern part of France and is ten miles from the Mediterranean coast and about 125 miles from the Spanish boarder.  It is the capital of the region Languedoc-Roussillon and has a population of 300,000.

Climate

The average afternoon high temperature for the following months are:

January: 30 °F (-1 °C)
April: 59 °F (20 °C)
July: 75 °F (24 °C)
October: 61 °F (16 °C)

Time

When Central Standard Time is in effect in the United States, France is seven hours ahead.