Program Details
Location
Montpellier,
France
Term
May Session
Housing
Apartment
Languages Taught In
English
Program Eligibility
Student Type
UofM Students
Student Year
Freshmen
Sophomores
Juniors
Seniors
GPA
2.5
Photos
Videos
Sports & Culture in France: La vie sportive
About
Explore the study of sports and sports culture from a French perspective through this May session program in Montpellier and Paris. During this three-week program, you'll meet local students, train with professional coaches, participate in activities adapted to people with disabilities, explore sport startups, and even try your hand at pétanque or beach volleyball. From visiting elite clubs/stadiums like Montpellier Handball and the Stade de France in Paris to attending live matches and talking to industry insiders, you’ll gain real insights into how sport works in France–from grassroots to pro leagues.
Long known as one of France’s most sporty cities, Montpellier is a great place to learn about French sports culture. You will take classes with professors from the School of Sports and Sciences on topics such as: the history of sports, sports tourism, sports psychology, sports pedagogy, sport marketing/management, and adapted physical activities. Most days are split between the classroom learning focused on the theory, technique and pedagogy of sports, followed by experiential activities, such as: beach volleyball, pétanque, trampoline, handball, climbing, and hiking, among many others. You will end the program by spending 4 days in Paris where you will visit major sport infrastructures and visit the French Open Village, while discovering the vibrant atmosphere of the capital of France.
Housing & Meals
Live in an extended stay hotel with other program participants. You are responsible for most meals.
Excursions
The program includes excursions to several local sports and recreational facilities. You will participate in local visits, such as hiking in the national park of Cévennes and in the mountains at St. Guilhem le Désert, observing a training session of the Montpellier handball club, and attending a professional handball game.
In Paris, you will visit the iconic Stade de France, take a boat tour on the Seine river, and visit the French Open 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 Learning Abroad Center works with Village Travel, a local travel agency, to arrange a coordinated flight for program participants. The flight is optional, and is arranged for those who want to fly with other program participants. Group flight information is typically available by the program application deadline, if not before.
Learning Outcomes
- Deepen cross-cultural understanding by examining sports, sports psychology, and the nature of professional sports in France and the USA through interaction with local faculty, staff, and students.
- Understand the local social structures for inclusive sports.
- Gain French, European, and international perspectives on sport.
- Increase independence and self-reliance by learning to navigate French society.
- Acquire practical knowledge in sports-related professions such as coaching, sport management and kinesiology.
Onsite Faculty & Staff
The Montpellier onsite staff are your "go to" people in Montpellier, from the first day you arrive to the last day of your program. In addition to the onsite staff, there are also local French university students who help organize activities and outings each semester.
Program Structure
Program Level
3000 level courses
Courseload
One 3-credit course.
This 3-credit, hands-on course runs from mid-May to early June. You can expect to use Montpellier as your classroom, with visits to local sports clubs, community spaces and programs, and regional/national parks.
Coursework
Sports & Culture in France—MONT 3701
May Session, 3 Credits
Spend your morning examining sports, sports psychology, and the nature of professional sports in France and the USA. In the afternoon, engage in a variety of sport activities with your peers. Classes are taught by University of Montpellier experts in the field.
Syllabus for Sports & Culture in France
Sports Management B.S. major focus elective and minor elective; Kinesiology B.S. focus elective.
Approved for Global Perspectives Theme
Global Identity
Global Identity: Connecting Your International Experience with Your Future is an optional 1-credit online course that helps you process your international experience and apply what you've learned upon your return. Global Identity gives you the opportunity to work individually with a trained cultural mentor, helping you articulate your newly acquired skills and differentiating you from your peers.
To access more information about the course, visit the Global Identity Course Information page.
Program Dates
Submit the online application and complete the assigned application checklist according to the appropriate deadline:
May 2027
Application Open Date: August 1, 2026
Application Deadline: March 1, 2027
May 2027 dates are not yet finalized. May 2026 dates are included below for reference.
May 2026
| Schedule | Date |
|---|---|
| Depart U.S. | May 15 |
| Arrive in Montpellier (program start date) | May 16 |
| Orientation | May 17–18 |
| First day of class | May 19 |
| Excursion to Cévennes National Park | May 23–25 |
| Travel to Paris | May 31 |
| Last day of class | June 4 |
| Depart Paris (program end date) | June 5 |
This program runs annually during the terms listed on the Snapshot page. Program dates are typically posted within a month of when each application cycle opens.
Orientation Dates & Locations
The Learning Abroad Center provides pre-departure orientation in preparation for your time abroad. 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 Program Orientation: Program-specific and important UofM registration information will be covered (academic registration, finances, arrival, housing etc.). Details will be sent to you via email.
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.
If you do not see a budget estimate for the term you intend to go abroad, the fee has not yet been finalized. We strive to post fees for this program at least 30 days prior to the application deadline. The Learning Abroad Center will delay the posting of some fees until enrollments, inflation, and exchange rates are determined. Note the average increase in fees will be 3–10%. Program fees are based on estimates and may change depending on international economic factors.
Fees or tuition from home institutions may be added to or differ from the University of Minnesota Learning Abroad Center fees listed on this page.
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.
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 2026
Sports & Culture in France
Prepare
Complete pre-application advising.
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.
If you do not meet the GPA requirement for this program you will be required to submit an additional essay. It will be added to your checklist after you start your application, and you will be notified when it has been added.
Next Steps
- Upon submitting the online application, you will receive an automated email message indicating your application was received.
- 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.
- You will be notified of an acceptance decision by email. If accepted, you will be assigned a confirmation checklist. Log in to the online application to review the confirmation checklist and submit the required items.
Application Review Process
After your application checklist is complete, your application is reviewed by our program team. You will be notified of an acceptance decision by email. If accepted, you will have 2 weeks to confirm your spot on the program. Once confirmed, you will have additional required forms to complete before participating in the program. If you decide not to continue with the application process, log into the online application system and submit a Cancel Request.
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.
Visa
Student Visa in France (Short-stay)
Students traveling with a US passport do not need a student visa in order to study in France for less than 90 days. You will need a valid passport.
If you are applying for a passport for the first time, visit the US Department of State website for information on the steps you will need to take. It can take up to 10 weeks to receive a new passport during busy processing times, so apply as soon as possible. Consider expedited service if necessary. If you already have a passport, make sure that it is valid for 6 months after your program end date and has at least 2 blank pages available.
If you are a dual citizen: holding a US passport and a passport from another country; determine which passport you will use for your travel to and from France. Complete the “Do you need a visa?” questionnaire on the France-Visas website.
Visa Process for students who do not hold a US passport
If you do not hold a US passport, permission from US authorities to exit and re-enter the US may be required. Consult with the international student office on your campus for assistance with this documentation.
In order to determine what the entry regulations are for France, a good starting point is to complete the “Do you need a visa?” questionnaire on the France-Visas website. Depending on the type of visa required of you for studying in France, you may need additional documentation for entry. Contact the Montpelier team at the Learning Abroad Center to consult.
If you are an international student, note that processing times for international passports can take up to 2 months. During the processing period, you cannot leave the US, because you will not have a valid passport in your possession.
Program Contact
For further information or questions about this program, send an email to
Cassidy Nelson at [email protected],
or call at
612.626.7134.
Contact Program Alum
Below is a list of additional students who participated in past program sessions. They are ready and willing to answer your questions about this program. Feel free to contact them during your decision-making process or anytime during your pre-departure preparation to get a student perspective.