Learning Abroad Center
view of the Eiffel Tower from Place du Trocadero

IES France

Europe

Many great advances in civilization began in France—Gothic architecture, the code of chivalry, the Enlightenment, and the science of gastronomy among them. France retains some influence in its former colonies in Africa and Asia and is a major force in the European Union.

Program Details

Location
Location
Paris or Nantes, France
Term
Term
Academic Year
Fall Semester
Spring Semester
Housing
Housing
Apartment
Homestay
Languages Taught In
Languages Taught In
English
French
Sponsor
Sponsor
IES

Program Eligibility

Student Type
Student Type
UofM Students
Student Year
Student Year
Sophomores
Juniors
Seniors
GPA
GPA
2.5
Language Prerequisite
Language Prerequisite
4 semesters of French

Program Model

Study Abroad Center
University Study

Program Structure

One of the nation’s oldest, largest, and most reputable study abroad providers, IES is a Chicago, IL-based, not-for-profit organization that enrolls more than 5,000 students annually, offering quality study abroad programs in Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania, and South America.

This is an affiliate program. You receive resident credit for the courses you take. Your grades factor into your University of Minnesota GPA and each course appears on your transcript with an A/F grade. Consult the Learning Abroad Center's Academic Policies for more information.

Affiliate organizations and partner universities will not accept applications from UMTC students without the endorsement of the Learning Abroad Center. You must participate in affiliate organization and partner university programs through the standard Learning Abroad Center application process.

Coursework

Paris 

Paris French Studies: Choose from courses in French language and area studies including business, economics and the humanities. Enrollment in regular French university courses is available with advanced French language skills. Additional academic background is required to enroll at some French institutions. Internships are available in business, non-governmental organizations, journalism and education. Instruction is conducted entirely in French by French faculty.

Nantes

Nantes: Choose from courses in French language and area studies, including economics, political science and the humanities. Enrollment in regular French university courses is available with advanced French language skills. Additional academic background is required to enroll at other French institutions. Teaching assistant internships in local schools are available. Instruction is in French by French faculty.

Typical credits: 30 for academic year; 15 for fall or spring semester.

Dates Details

Visit your affiliate's website for program dates and application deadlines.

Orientation Dates & Locations

The Learning Abroad Center provides a pre-departure orientation(s) in addition to the orientation offered by your affiliate program team. 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 Affiliate Orientation (live Zoom session): UofM-specific information will be covered (academic planning, finances, etc.). Details on the LAC affiliate orientation will be sent to you via email.
  • Affiliate Provider Orientation: This orientation will cover program-specific information. Your affiliate provider will invite you to a pre-departure orientation leading up to your departure.

The Learning Abroad Center also offers 2 optional orientations:

Fees

University of Minnesota participants pay the program fee instead of on-campus tuition and fees for the term they are abroad.

How to Calculate the Total Program Fee

Affiliate Program Fee plus APAAC plus International Health Insurance minus Affiliate Fee Reduction equals Total program fee

To calculate your total program fee

Find your Affiliate program fee

For more specific information about fees, visit the IES website.

Add APAAC

Refer to the Affiliate Program Fees. Follow instructions on that page to determine your APAAC.

Add International Health Insurance

You will be billed approximately $2/day for your international health insurance.

Subtract Affiliate Fee Reduction

Visit the Affiliate Program Fees to determine the fee reduction you receive for being a University of Minnesota student.

What Is the APAAC?

Students participating on affiliated programs are charged a program fee that is inclusive of the affiliate's program fee, University of Minnesota Advising, Placement, Academic, and Administrative Costs (APAAC), and international health insurance. The APAAC covers:

  • Application processing
  • Advising services, orientation
  • Course registration
  • Grade transfer and posting for resident credit
  • Program billing and assistance with financial aid (when applicable)

Based on these additional services and benefits, the total program fee may be higher than the affiliate's published 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.

Each of our affiliated programs awards its own array of scholarships. While many are need-based, others are based on merit, location, academic area, or diversity criteria. Explore your options within specific affiliates' scholarship pages.

Bridging Loan

Bridging Loan, a no-interest/no-fees loan that funds the confirmation deposit and/or flights cost, is available for this program for eligible students going abroad during an eligible term.

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

Prepare

Complete pre-application advising.

Apply

The COVID-19 vaccine series is strongly recommended, pursuant to CDC guidelines, but not required for participation in this program.

You will be charged a $50 application fee for each application you submit.

Apply Now

If your program and term does not appear in the drop-down list of available programs, select ‘IES—Other Programs Not Listed Here’ and complete the application item ‘Affiliate Program Information’ found in your application checklist.

Complete

In addition to completing the LAC application, submit to IES:

  • IES Online Application

Detailed descriptions and instructions for submitting each checklist item are included on the application checklist assigned to you.

Once both applications are complete, we can electronically complete the Home School Authorization form on your IES Application.

Next Steps

  1. Upon submitting the online application, you will receive an automated email message indicating your application was received.
  2. Follow the instructions on your application checklist to submit all of the items. Your application is not considered complete until all items on your application checklist are either received or waived.
  3. Complete the affiliate program's application requirements as applicable.
  4. Your completed application is reviewed by our program team. If nominated for participation, the Learning Abroad Center contacts the affiliate's staff to notify them of your status.
  5. You will be notified of an admission decision by email. If admitted, you will be assigned a confirmation checklist. Log in to the online application to review the confirmation checklist and submit the required items.
  6. Do not pay the affiliate’s confirmation deposit. The affiliate accepts the Learning Abroad Center’s deposit as indication of confirmation. The Learning Abroad Center deposit is submitted by completing the Confirmation and Payment Agreement found on the confirmation checklist assigned to you.
  7. If you decide not to continue with the application process, log in to the online application and submit a Cancel Request. You must also notify your affiliate of your cancellation.

Program Contact

For further information or questions about this program, send an email to

Molly Green at [email protected], or call at 612.625.6076