Host Institution:
Saint Mary’s University of MN
Location of program:
Montpellier, France
Link to third-party institution:
University of Minnesota Learning Abroad Center
Program/University Overview:
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.
Course description:
This program offers options for students at the beginning, intermediate, and advanced language levels at Paul Valéry University. Courses are offered in French language, culture, history, literature, humanities, social science, sciences, and business for advanced students. Students at an advanced French language level choose from the regular course offerings at Paul Valéry University. Instruction is in French by French faculty.
Program Tracks:
Coursework on the program depends on your track:
Term:
- Language and Culture: Fall & Spring semester
- Integrated Studies: Fall and Spring semester, Academic Year
- May Session: Three weeks
Credits:
- Language and Culture: 15–18 credits*
- Integrated Studies: 15–16 credits*
- May Session: 3 credits
*Fall and Academic year students are encouraged to enroll in the Intensive French Summer Program to study intensive French before they start their semester program.
Prerequisite:
- Language and Culture: 2–5 semesters of college-level French
- Integrated Studies: 4 semesters of college-level French*
- May Session: No language prerequisite
*Fall and Academic year students who have 4 semesters of French and wish to enroll in the integrated studies track are strongly encouraged to enroll in the Intensive French Summer Program.
Housing & Meals:
Semester and academic year students may choose between 4 housing options. They can select a host family, apartment, observatorie, or dormitory option to enhance their integration into everyday French culture.
Click here for more information on housing options and a comparison chart.
Country & City Information:
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.
Currency:
The currency in France is the Euro. For the current exchange rate, click here. Euro bank notes come in the following denominations: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500. Coins are in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 1 euro and 2 euro.
More Information:
- Country Reports
- Embassy of the United States Paris, France
- France.com
- US Department of State Consular Information Sheet France
Cost:
If you are a student at one of the US Lasallian universities or colleges, you will remain enrolled at your school and pay tuition and program fees there. Tuition is based on your campus tuition rates and may include an additional surcharge depending on the program. Contact the person on your campus responsible for study abroad.
Program Dates:
Fall Semester – September to December
Spring Semester - January to May
Application Deadlines:
Fall Semester – April 1
Spring Semester – October 1
Application Details:
Must complete Lasallian Consortium application along with the host school's application, please contact SMU to request an application.
Contact:
Phil Hull
phull@smumn.edu
507-457-1447