Learning and growing in sunny southern France August 10, 2026
By A student (Political Science and Government, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/19/2026 to 05/24/2026 with
University of Minnesota: Language & Culture in Southern France
I made great strides in my French, made new friends and grew as a person more in four months than I had in two-and-a-half years of college. it was absolutely worthwhile.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The classwork for those on the advanced track is engaging but not overly demanding. The main challenge comes from everything being taught in French. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The on site administrators are incredibly kind and passionate people, who are always ready to help students with finding success and having fun while abroad. They host a variety of events and excursions that allows one to make connections and immerse themselves in the local culture. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in a small studio apartment that had everything I needed to be successful, and was located in walking distance of the university where I took my classes |
| * Food: |
I cooked most of my own meals which was a fun challenge. The quality of the food I made improved greatly over my time there. I did not find eating out on occasion to be prohibitively expensive, and I enjoyed the atmosphere and experience of almost every place I tried. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It took a couple months for me to feel fully ingrained into the French culture, but with time I came to feel (and be treated like) a local. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Fortunately, I had no reason to experience the healthcare in France during my time there. |
| * Safety: |
I found Montpellier to be very safe. Petty thieves and pickpockets are nearly non-existent. The homeless population can beg persistently, but they never caused me to feel unsafe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Though I would not have minded a more academically rigorous experience, the support offered by the program staff, and the social nature of the overall cohort made this program a great choice for me. |
Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
The cost of living in Montpellier was significantly cheaper than anywhere I have been in the United States. One of the biggest pluses is that the cities excellent public transit system is completely free for residents. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Though it was a bit out the way, my weekly trips to a discount supermarket made groceries much cheaper than if I had only shopped at the local stores. Compare prices! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
All of my classes were in French, and the only situation in which I consistently used English was when speaking to fellow program participants |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | French 104 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | The best way to practice the language while abroad is to use it. Choosing to speak to the cashier, instead of going to a self checkout machine, for example, can cement vocabulary and give you a big confidence boost. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 0 |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I had known to make more of an immediate effort to meet the French locals all around me. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
