International Service Learning: France

  France

• Montpellier: 
Montpellier

Term: Fall, Spring, Summer 
Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks

Description: You will spend a semester or summer in Montpellier, living with a French family; studying French language; culture, civilization and social issues at the Universite Paul Valery (Montpellier III); serving 12-15 hours per week volunteering in a local service agency helping those in need and exploring southern France though guided field trips.

Service opportunities include:
- English tutoring
- work at a food bank
- work at a retirement home
- work at a rehabilitation center
- work at Pharmacie Humanitiare Internationale (agency distributing medicines to those in need)

Highlights: Montpellier, a 1,000 year-old city located in temperate southern France close to the Mediterranean has long been a crossroads for European, Mediterranean and North African culture and civilizations. Nearby are Neolithic sites, Roman settlements, walled medieval towns, the beaches of the Mediterranean, and the ecological and wildlife treasure known as the Camargue.

The university city of Montpellier has an historic inner medieval center, modern businesses and shopping, and a typical central plaza with theatres and sidewalk cafes where much of the life of the city takes place. It is an artistic and cultural center, and plays an important role as an industrial and technological focus within the European Community.

The program is based at Universite Paul Valery (Montpellier III), one of the oldest and most respected universities in Europe.You will experience the culture more deeply by living in a homestay with a French family.

Excursions and guided tours may include the Roman city of Arles, the Gellone Abby, the Aommieres market and le Pont du Gard.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Qualifications: IPSL welcomes applicants form all nations and backgrounds. Language requirements for selected programs. Minimum age is 18. College students and graduates are encouraged to apply.

Cost in US$: Inquire for more information

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: IPSL participants are typically undergraduate students who want to study and volunteer abroad. They generally take 3-4 academic courses (12-15 credits) and do community service (12-15 hours per week). Participants want an integrated experience where learning and service work together.

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to France Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Scholarships are Available. There are numerous independent study abroad scholarships available.

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Transcript
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

International Partnership for Service-Learning and Leadership's Mission Statement: IPSL has two related missions: 1) offering programs uniting academic study and volunteer service to the community in international/intercultural settings that are models for the practice of service-learning, and 2) promoting the theory and practice of service-learning through research, publications, conferences, and training. IPSL endeavors to engage students, educators, and community members in the union of service and learning so that all may become more civically engaged, interculturally literate, internationally aware, and responsive to the needs of others.

Year Founded: 1982