Summer French Language and Culture Studies in the French Alps (Grenoble)

France Grenoble Gondola 104900630
What's Included

We invite you to spend your summer with API in beautiful Grenoble, France! This program is perfect for anyone looking to study French language and culture in an immersive setting. The Centre Universitaire d’Études Françaises de l’Université Grenoble Alpes is renowned for its exceptional instruction of French language and culture and attracts students from around the world every year.

Earn valuable academic credit, enhance your French language skills, experience life in this alpine town known for its vibrant student social scene and stunning scenery, and explore all that France has to offer!

What's Included?

Highlights

Pre Departure Services

Advising

APIConnect Platform

Orientation Materials and Resources

Access to International Phone Plans

API Alumni Network

Social Networking

Scholarships

On Site Services

Airport Reception

API Center

On-Site Orientation

Excursions

Resident Director

Tuition

Medical and Life Insurance

Social and Cultural Activities

Welcome and Farewell Group Meals

Volunteer Opportunities

Monthly Transit Pass

Tutoring

Housing (including meals and laundry with some options)

Language and Culture Tools

Re-Entry Services

Re-Entry Materials and Support

Post-Program Evaluation

Transcript

Alumni Network and API Ambassador Program
View all opportunities and amenities

Application Requirements

  • Minimum 2.5 G.P.A.
  • Open to freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors
  • Open to intermediate, advanced and superior-level students.
  • Completed API application
  • University Approval Form
  • Official transcript
  • Entry requirement: valid passport
Dates & Fees
Session Program Dates Program Cost Application Deadline Extended Application Deadline Payment Deadline
Summer 1 and 2 Combined May 30, 2023 - Jul 29, 2023 $11,500 Apr 28, 2023 No Extension May 12, 2023
Summer 2 Jun 27, 2023 - Jul 29, 2023 $5,900 Apr 28, 2023 No Extension May 28, 2023
Excursions

API students participate in excursions designed to help familiarize them with the culture and surrounding areas of their host city and country. The following is a listing of potential excursions for API Grenoble programs. API may need to modify the excursions offered in a given term due to travel restrictions or health and safety concerns.

  • Lyon

    France’s second largest city, Lyon is located on the Rhone and Soâne Rivers with many sites to see, including the Gallo-Roman Museum, two excavated Roman theaters, and the 19th century Basilique Notre-Dame de Fouvière. In Lyon, visitors can take a unique journey through time and across cultures through traipsing down its narrow streets, crossing its “traboules“ (narrow secret passages). Lyon's Parc de la Tête d’Or showcases botanical gardens, a small zoo, lakes for sailing, running trails, and many areas for relaxing.

  • Marseille

    Marseille is an ancient city that never ceases to arouse passions. This colorful Mediterranean port has been founded by the Greeks. Today it is a thriving cosmopolitan city.

    With its rich history, diverse culture, authentic character, immense pride and warm people, Marseille will have you lowering your anchor to stay a while.

    Stroll around the quiet old streets of Le Panier district, where the city first grew up; walk along the Promenade and Corniche to remind yourself that Marseille also has seaside and beaches.

  • Paris

    Known as both the City of Light and the City of Love, Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world for good reason. Paris is brimming with amazing museums, architecture, fashion, cuisine and beauty. Innumerable monuments, built to reflect the glory of France and its rulers, stand testament to the city’s rich history.

  • Chartreuse

    Chartreuse is a beautiful region of mountains and forests and is known for the Monastery “de la Grande Chartreuse,” where a particular liqueur was invented and has been made by monks since 1605. A beautiful area to escape to, Chartreuse offers a relaxing day’s trip from Grenoble and the opportunity to wander the incredible countryside of this region of France.

  • Geneva and Annecy - Overnight International Excursion

    Geneva is perhaps one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Geneva is home to approximately 190 international organizations, including the United Nations and the World Health Organization. Dominated by Mont Blanc and boasting acres of natural parks, Geneva is one of the least polluted European cities.

    Surrounded by the beauty of the Alps and the Lac d’Annecy, the scenic town of Annecy is known as the “little Venice” of the French Alps. In fact, many say that the best way to see the city is via the canals on a relaxing boat tour. Because of strict environmental regulations introduced in the 1960s, Lac d’Annecy is known as “Europe’s cleanest lake.”

  • Paris

    Known as both the City of Light and the City of Love, Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world for good reason. Paris is brimming with amazing museums, architecture, fashion, cuisine and beauty. Innumerable monuments, built to reflect the glory of France and its rulers, stand testament to the city’s rich history.

  • Chartreuse

    Chartreuse is a beautiful region of mountains and forests and is known for the Monastery “de la Grande Chartreuse,” where a particular liqueur was invented and has been made by monks since 1605. A beautiful area to escape to, Chartreuse offers a relaxing day’s trip from Grenoble and the opportunity to wander the incredible countryside of this region of France.

  • Geneva and Annecy - Overnight International Excursion

    Geneva is perhaps one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Geneva is home to approximately 190 international organizations, including the United Nations and the World Health Organization. Dominated by Mont Blanc and boasting acres of natural parks, Geneva is one of the least polluted European cities.

    Surrounded by the beauty of the Alps and the Lac d’Annecy, the scenic town of Annecy is known as the “little Venice” of the French Alps. In fact, many say that the best way to see the city is via the canals on a relaxing boat tour. Because of strict environmental regulations introduced in the 1960s, Lac d’Annecy is known as “Europe’s cleanest lake.”

Program Details

What You’ll Study

TOTAL CREDITS - 5-6 U.S. semester credits

Students who wish to study abroad in Grenoble on API’s French Language and Culture Studies summer program will take approximately ten hours per week of language and ten hours per week of elective culture classes. Students may earn a maximum of 90 contact hours (6 semester credits) per summer term.

All students may choose two courses from the list of options. Options are subject to minimum enrollment. Level of study is based on a placement exam administered upon arrival by the CUEF. Attendance is required for all classes and has a major impact on the final grades and the number of contact hours and credits received.

If students elect to take two summer sessions, they should be aware that the first session will be focused exclusively on intensive language study, while the second will focus on language and culture.

TRANSCRIPTS

API students will receive their transcript from the Centre Universitaire d’Études Françaises de l’Université Grenoble Alpes upon completion of their program.

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    Anna Foster

    Anna Foster will be your Program Manager and prepare you to go abroad!

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    Anna Exertier

    Anna Exertier will be your Resident Director in Grenoble and a resource for you on-site.
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    Marie de Rocca Serra

    Marie de Rocca Serra will be your Resident Director in Grenoble and a resource for you while you are in France!
    (she/her/hers)

Courses
Click Here to Find Classes

COURSE OFFERINGS

Students are required to take a French language course (at the intermediate level) for 3-4 U.S. semester credits.

Students then choose two of the following elective courses. Courses are taught at each level. Each elective course lasts for two weeks, meaning that students will take one elective in the first section of the summer session and a different elective within the second section of the summer session. Students should have more than 2 elective courses pre-approved by their home university in case of scheduling conflicts.

CREDIT INFORMATION

Most API partner universities in France operate on the contact hour system, wherein the number of credits earned depends on the time spent in class. To determine the conversion of contact hours to U.S. semester credits, divide the contact hours available by 15.

Courses at Université Grenoble Alpes - CUEF (Summer French Language and Culture Studies)

For the most up-to-date course availability on this program, explore our Class Finder. Sort courses by term, area of study, and more!

Click here to find courses, syllabi, and more!

Courses at Université Grenoble Alpes - CUEF (Summer French Language and Culture Studies)

For the most up-to-date course availability on this program, explore our Class Finder. Sort courses by term, area of study, and more!

Click here to find courses, syllabi, and more!

Highlights
  • Classes taught in French
Housing

API students studying abroad in Grenoble have two different housing options – students may choose to live with a host family or in a student residence.

Students who choose to live with families will have their own room and be provided with two meals (breakfast and dinner) per day and laundry service. Host families serve as a unique introduction to French culture and may be made up of a married couple with children, retirement-age couples, or a divorced or widowed woman with or without children. Most families do not live in the city center, rather they may be located throughout the city and in the surrounding suburbs. Families who live outside the city typically have larger homes with sizeable yards.

Students in Grenoble may also choose to live in a student residence. Students live with other international, American, and French students. Students have a single room, with access to a shared kitchen. Bathroom facilities are shared per floor, although some rooms may have bathroom amenities. Laundry facilities are available, and there are common areas throughout the building as well. A meal stipend to cover weekday lunches is provided; all other meals are the responsibility of the student.

Summer GEM students will be housed in a student residence (they do not have the host family option).

Chambre Costecalde 36006458995 O
Costecalde 36006446305 O
Grenoble 4730642737 O
Grenoble Host Families 32227390504 O
Grenoble Host Families 32690798230 O
Grenoble Host Families 32690798350 O
Grenoble Host Families 32916590252 O
Grenoble Housing 32690209230 O