Study Abroad in France

Find study abroad programs in France!

It is easy to understand why France is consistently one of the top study abroad destinations for American students. Located in the heart of Europe with an abundance of history and culture and top notch universities, not to mention world-renowned cuisine, France has appealed to study abroad students for decades. France also shares borders with Spain, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Monaco and Andorra, making it a strategic destination for students anxious to explore other parts of Europe.

Paris, France's revered capital, is the obvious destination for students seeking a French cosmopolitan experience. One of the largest economies in the world, with undeniable political clout, the City of Light offers numerous opportunities for study abroad students. Paris also boasts the largest concentration of university students in Europe with over 600,000 students enrolled in higher education.

Students seeking a less-urban experience, should consider studying in Strasbourg, the City of Roads. Despite being the capital of Alsace and home to three important European Institutions-the Council of Europe, the European Court of Human Rights, and the European Parliament, Strasbourg maintains a small, university town feel. Students studying geography and geology will find the diverse landscape of France fascinating, with its sedimentary basins and lowlands, and especially the Hercynian mountain blocks which are remnants of ancient mountains.

France is also known for its sophisticated education system. In fact, more than 23% of France's national budget is devoted to education. France offers a variety of higher education options including 87 public universities, 240 engineering schools and 230 business schools. The highly selective Grandes Écoles are uniquely French institutions which offer Masters level degrees. Research is an integral part of French education with more than 315 doctoral schools and 1,200 research laboratories throughout the country. In addition, study abroad providers offer programs in cities around the country, many of which are affiliated with French universities.

France has no shortage of architecture for students to study or simply admire. Paris' iconic Eiffel Tower and the Cathedral of Notre Dame, the largest church in northern France, are, of course, must sees. Whether interested in the Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, or Rococo style, students can study it all at the Ecole Nationale Superieure des Artes Décoratifs in Paris. In addition to visiting the famous art museums in Paris, art connoisseurs should visit Nice, home of the Musée d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain also known as MARMAC. The Pont Aven School of Contemporary Art in Brittany would be an ideal place to study art and art history. American history students will have to visit Normandy Beach, the site of the D-Day invasion of WWII and students eager to follow in the footsteps of French fashion icons such as Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior and Christian Lacroix will find plenty of inspiration throughout the country. CampusFrance, the national agency for studying abroad, maintains a catalog of these programs, which can be found on their on their website.

Initially inhabited by Celtic Gauls and ruled by Julius Caesar from 57 to 52 B.C, France derives its name from the Franks who overran the country in the 5th Century. From 1337-1453, France fought for its independence from Britain in what is known as the Hundred Years War. The French Revolution began in 1789 and ended in 1804 with Napoleon Bonaparte staking claim to the position of emperor. In 1830, the country became a constitutional monarchy, only to change into a democratic republic in 1848. In 1958 it became a presidential democratic republic, which it remains today.

In addition its dynamic metropolitan centers and quaint, historic towns, study abroad students will admire France's striking natural beauty. Two-thirds of the country is comprised of hills and mountains forming the famous Alps, Pyrenees and Vosges Mountains. Mont Blanc, a portion of the Alps in southwest France, is the highest point in Europe. France also boasts 5500 kilometers of shoreline which includes the French Riviera, one of the most famous beach spots in the world and the host of the international Film Festival at Cannes.

France is a diverse nation and has been increasingly influenced by immigrants from former French colonies in Africa. Seventy-five percent of the population resides in cities or towns. Theater, ballet, opera, film, and jazz are enjoyed by residents throughout the country. Many museums, motive theaters, and concert halls offer student rates which make these events affordable for study abroad students.

For students seeking fine educational and research opportunities, a forum to practice the French language, and an opportunity to live in the heart of Europe, France will not disappoint.

Paris, France's revered capital, is the obvious destination for students seeking a French cosmopolitan experience. One of the largest economies in the world, with undeniable political clout, the City of Light offers numerous opportunities for study abroad students. Paris also boasts the largest concentration of university students in Europe with over 600,000 students enrolled in higher education.

ONLINE RESOURCES
IIE Passport: http://www.iiepassport.org/
CampusFrance: http://www.campusfrance.org/
CampusFrance in the United States: http://usa.campusfrance.org/
Ministry of Education: http://education.gouv.fr/
Official Tourism site: http://franceguide.com
Embassy of France in the United States: http://www.ambafrance-us.org/
Embassy of the United States, Paris: http://www.amb-usa.fr/
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program: http://www.iie.org/gilman

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