Study in France – Guide to study abroad

France is the fourth most popular destination for Americans studying abroad. French is the second most popular language studied in the United States. While studying in the country; sample some of the best cuisine in the world, visit the Eiffel Tower, spend a weekend exploring the thousands of works of art in the Louvre, hit the beaches of the French Riviera, and even ski down the slopes of the mountains along Swiss and Spanish borders. The culture and beautiful scenery are truly some of the greatest gems that Europe has to offer.

I have traveled through France several times and have seen the country from the English Channel on the west coast to the Swiss border in the east and along the French Riviera in the south. On one trip during a graduate program in Europe, my school group spent an amazing three weeks in Paris. I have fallen in love with the beauty of the countryside and the friendliness of the French. The secret to finding open arms and a friendly smile is to learn and use some of the French language while shopping, walking down the street, and eating in restaurants. I’ve had many great conversations with the locals in little outdoor cafes over an espresso.

There are programs for everyone; the casual traveler who wants to learn more about a specific topic, summer sessions, college credit sessions, high school programs, and graduate programs. Research these places, which offer a wide variety of attractions, when looking for a place to study; Paris, Bordeaux, the Côte d’Azur, Grenoble and Strasbourg. Paris is such an obvious favorite for most Americans who want to study in France that it can be difficult to search among the other suggested destinations. The city is full of historical sites that make most dreamers swoon. Aside from its famous cultural sites, which would add greatly to any study abroad experience, the city is centrally located and offers a great base for exploring other parts of France.

Bordeaux is located in the region that became famous for its internationally distributed wines. The city is also home to several universities that would make it easy to meet other French students. The French Riviera stretches from the small university town of Aix-en-Provence, which is located near the city of Marseille, along the Mediterranean coast to the city of Nice. Studying in this area will give you access to the most beautiful beaches in France, as well as the opportunity, if your program takes place during the month of May, to visit the world famous Cannes Film Festival (make sure you book your hotel with early enough as the rooms in the entire area are completely sold out during the festival). Grenoble is located in the mountainous region of France, which offers a winter wonderland for enthusiasts of any snow-related activity.

Being a small city and surrounded by stunning and romantic scenery, Grenoble is one of my favorite places to visit. If you are interested in studying and networking for an internship in a large organization based in Europe, then you should choose to live in Strasbourg. Among other large organizations, the city is home to the Council of Europe, the European Parliament and the International Institute for Human Rights. Another great benefit of studying in Strasbourg is its central location on the Rhine, on the border with Germany, which allows you to use this city as a base to easily explore the central parts of Germany.