Program Details
Location
Montpellier,
France
Term
May Session (Spring semester on campus)
Housing
Apartment
Hotel
Languages Taught In
English
Program Eligibility
Student Type
UofM Students
Student Year
Freshmen
Sophomores
Juniors
Seniors
GPA
2.5
Events & Info Sessions
Tuesday, November 17th, 10:00–10:30 am
Wednesday, November 18th, 3:00–3:30 pm
About
Venture to the picturesque city of Montpellier, France to learn about sustainable approaches to health. This program offers a unique opportunity to explore the cultural contexts and societal conditions that shape health, while also exploring the rich culture of Southern France. Against the backdrop of Montpellier's centuries-old history of intellectual advances and social innovations, you will gain a holistic perspective on the enduring importance of health as a cornerstone of societal well-being.
Onsite learning will offer invaluable insights into the principles and practices underpinning France's health system, which is renowned for its emphasis on universal access and quality care. The program offers interactive sessions and excursions to markets, orchards, a national park, and more.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) developed by the United Nations were created to help communities identify health priorities and to set obtainable strategies to meet the goals. By examining the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the lens of health, you will uncover the interconnectedness between culture and sustainable development, fostering a comparative understanding of challenges and solutions.
Housing & Meals
Live in shared housing with other program participants. Welcome and farewell meals are included in the program fee. Take additional meals in the housing or at local eateries.
Excursions
Excursions assist in illuminating program coursework and will take place in Montpellier, France. Possible excursions may include:
- A hike and overnight in Cevennes National Park
- French markets
- A sustainable olive orchard
- An herbalist store owned by pharmacists
- Jardin des Plantes—the oldest botanical gardens in France to connect natural products to the development of medicine
- Aigues-Mortes (Languedoc-Roussillon, France) National Monument for a historical and contemporary exploration of salt production and storage, through the lens of 13th-Century fortified walls founded by King Louis IX in preparation for his setting off for the Seventh Crusade
- A boat ride to an oyster farm and fishing village
Accessibility
If you have a disability and plan to study abroad, visit our Accessibility Abroad page to learn about considerations, answer questions, and request accommodations before you go abroad.
Flight
The LAC will provide information on booking a designated flight. This flight will be the one the leader travels on and/or will include airport pick-up and transfers in-country. Estimated flight costs are noted in the budget, but fares may change until booked. You are advised not to book flights until given program confirmation from the LAC.
Important Note: A passport book is required to travel on this program. If you do not currently have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months past your return date, or are still needing to apply for a new one, start the process as soon as possible. Visit the UofM Passport Office website for more information.
Learning Outcomes
- Articulate the global Sustainable Development Goals framework, and France’s plans and approaches to meet those goals by 2030. Compare and contrast France’s progress with Minnesota's progress.
- Using an equity, social justice, and cultural lens, compare and contrast healthcare in France with other healthcare systems in the world, including the US and Minnesota.
- Describe the ethical challenges and cultural influences on systems and approaches that influence health in France, as well as in the US and Minnesota.
- Explicitly explore and describe connections between historical agents’ choices and decisions in the past, and their relevance for students’ choices and decisions in the present.
Faculty & Staff
This program will be co-led by Karin Hamilton, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, Global Programs Coordinator and Instructor and Zoe Marquis-Kelly, Administrative and Data Coordinator from the Pre-Health Student Resource Center.
Dr. Karin Hamilton is a public health veterinarian. She has previously led programs to Greece, Ecuador, France, India, Panama, and Thailand programs. She is passionate about global health, intercultural development, and leading study abroad programs.
Before coming to the PHSRC, Zoe spent two years in France as an English-language teaching assistant through the Teaching Assistant Program in France (TAPIF) program. During her undergraduate career, she studied French and History and is excited for this opportunity to share her passion for French language and culture.
Program Structure
Program Level
3000 level coursework
Courseload
One 4-credit course
This seminar is a 2+ week study abroad program led by University of Minnesota faculty and staff that feature:
- Intensive learning in a location that illuminates the topic
- Small groups of 15–25 students
- No prerequisites or language requirements
- Included excursions and cultural activities
- Instruction in English
Course Schedule
This is an embedded spring semester course, with the abroad portion in France taking place over May session at the end of the semester. On-campus classes take place in the second half of the spring semester.
Spring 2027 Course Schedule
On-campus course meets: March 17–April 28, 2027, Wednesdays from 1:25–3:20 p.m.
Abroad term: mid May–late May/early June, 2027
Note: This course has permission numbers. These will be shared once the program and roster is confirmed, generally about 2 weeks after the application deadline. You should hold the number of credits and the date/time of the on-campus class in your schedule.
Students from other UofM campuses
There is an option to participate in the on-campus portion remotely. Reach out to the program leaders to confirm. You will need to work with your academic adviser and campus enrollment office and do a Multi-I enrollment for this program. There may be additional or different tuition owed as part of the program fee.
Coursework
Course Overview
The course meets on campus during the B-Term of spring semester. You will travel to Montpellier during May term. Pre-Health Student Resource Center global courses are co-led by at least one health professional and focus on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). You'll work in teams to develop a final project related to the SDGs, comparing and contrasting between the country they are traveling in with Minnesota/United States.
This immersive, interdisciplinary course explores the intersection of sustainability, health, and society through the lens of French culture, politics, and history—set in the vibrant, centuries-old city of Montpellier, France. Designed for undergraduate students on a pre-health track and open to all majors, the course invites students to critically examine how environmental, social, and political systems shape health outcomes outside the traditional settings of hospitals and clinics.
The course culminates with a final group presentation on the SDGs in each country along with discussion and guidance on how to reflect on and translate their experience for their future career.
Receive credit for: AHS 3003
Approved for: Global Perspectives liberal education theme
Dates Details
Submit the online application and complete the assigned application checklist according to the appropriate deadline:
| Program Term | Program Dates | Final Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| May Session 2027 | May 16–May 31, 2027 | December 1, 2026 |
Program dates are subject to change.
If the deadline falls on a weekend, submit your materials on the following business day.
Important Note: Enrollment on this program is limited to 25 students. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. If you wish to register for the course during your designated registration window in November 2026, submit your application by November 1, 2026. Some programs fill to capacity prior to the application deadline, therefore, applying early is recommended.
Department Run Information Session
| Date & Time | Location | Contact Information |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, Sept. 16, 3:00–3:30 p.m. | Moos Tower 2-565 | Karin Hamilton |
Events & Info Sessions
Explore more events on our events page.
| Event Name | Event Date | Time | Location | Registration Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May Instructor-led Programs Info Session | Tuesday, November 17th | 10:00–10:30 am | Hybrid, Heller Hall 230C | Details & Registration |
| May Instructor-led Programs Info Session | Wednesday, November 18th | 3:00–3:30 pm | Hybrid, Heller Hall 230C | Details & Registration |
On Campus Dates
This course meets: Spring Semester 2027, March 17–April 28, 2027, Wednesdays from 1:25–3:20 p.m.
Orientation Dates & Locations
The Learning Abroad Center facilitates a pre-departure orientation in collaboration with your program leader(s) in addition to any additional orientation sessions scheduled by your program leader(s). It is your responsibility to know the information shared at these orientations.
Orientation consists of several sessions, all of which are created to support your preparation to go abroad:
- Online Health & Safety Orientation: This asynchronous module can be accessed in your LAC checklist and is mandatory.
- LAC Seminar Pre-departure Orientation: This asynchronous module can be accessed in your LAC checklist and is mandatory. The discussion post is due before your LAC Program Orientation meeting.
- LAC Program Orientation: Program details and important UofM information will be covered (finances, health & safety, policies, insurance, etc.). This will be scheduled in collaboration with your program leader(s). Details will be sent to you via email from the LAC and/or your program leader(s). This is a mandatory meeting. **For embedded programs, this will likely be one of your class dates prior to departure.**
- Program Leader Orientation(s): Your program leader(s) will schedule 1–3 additional orientation sessions prior to departure. These will cover academic requirements and preparation, final travel and program logistics, cultural knowledge, and more. Details will be sent to you via email from your program leader(s). These are mandatory meetings. **For embedded programs, these will likely be included in your class dates prior to departure.**
Costs & Fees
The Cost of Participation (program fee) includes educational costs, program activities, housing, entrances to course-related excursions and site visits, some meals, international medical, security & evacuation insurance, local transportation, and program administration.
You must also budget for international airfare (with LAC guidance), visa (if applicable), passport and passport photos, meals not included in program fee, spending money, and miscellaneous living expenses.
The LAC strives to follow best practices to provide the lowest cost program while ensuring a quality academic experience.
If you are registered for less than 13 credits or if you are a non-UofM student or a UofM graduate student, you will be charged tuition for this course in addition to the program fee.
Billing & Payments
Visit Billing for information about the billing process for application fees, deposits, and program fees.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Visit Financial Information for information on using financial aid and scholarships for study abroad.
Enrollment Note: This program is considered part of spring enrollment for the purposes of registration and financial aid.
Flight & Deposit Advance
The Flight & Deposit Advance (formerly Bridging Loan) is a no-interest/no-fees program that allows you to defer payment of your flight and LAC program deposit until your financial aid is disbursed.
Cancellation Policy
Before you apply to or confirm your participation on this program, review the Learning Abroad Center's Cancellation Policy to inform yourself of the timeline and financial obligations for canceling.
May Session 2027 (Spring on campus course)
Holistic Health in France
Apply
You will be charged a $50 application fee for each application you submit.
Complete
After you submit your application, you will receive an email notification confirming that your application was received. Submitted applications are assigned an application checklist, which will include the following items:
- Application Essay
Detailed descriptions and instructions for submitting each checklist item are included on the application checklist assigned to you.
Next Steps
- After you complete all required application checklist items, you will receive an automated email message indicating your application is ready to be reviewed.
- Your completed application will be reviewed by the Learning Abroad Center.
- If admitted, the Financial and Program Commitment form will be added to your checklist. Complete this form to secure your spot on the program. By submitting the form, you also give your approval for the program deposit to be billed to your UofM student account.
- Complete the confirmation checklist, which include the following items in additional to program-specific forms:
- Passport Information
- Emergency Contacts
- Health Information Form
- Online Health & Safety Orientation
- Release & Waiver
- You will receive information about additional steps from the sponsoring college/department.
- Apply for a passport.
Register for On-Campus Course
Your participation on this program is secured by applying and confirming through the Learning Abroad Center application process first.
Once confirmed, you will also need to register for the on-campus course AHS 3003. You will receive a permission code in order to register for the course. Registering for the course, but not confirming through the Learning Abroad Center, will not hold your spot in the program.
Note: Register for Multi-I enrollment if you are a student from another UofM campus. You will need to work with your academic adviser on the registration process.
After You Apply
Before your program begins, review these resources.
Health & Safety
Learn more about staying healthy and safe abroad, including mental health and wellness, international travel insurance, and safety precautions.
Power of Attorney
Consider designating someone as your power of attorney to act as your legal representative while you’re abroad.
Student Identity
Consult our resources on student identities as you prepare for your abroad experience.
Travel Resources
Ready to go abroad? Our travel resources will help you pack and learn what to expect.
Program Contact
For further information or questions about this program, send an email to
Jemma Lund at [email protected],
or call at
612.625.8827.