Summer in Normandy - French Language, History, & Culture (in French) - ISEP Direct
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
• Study French language, history, and culture in the Normandy region of France, known for its medieval architecture, post-war resilience, and café culture.
• Earn 3-6 U.S. credits through immersive language courses and classes exploring local culture, society, gastronomy, and Normandy’s history, writers, art, and architecture — all taught in French.
• Choose to live with a local host family for two or four weeks and gain insight into French family life while improving your French speaking and listening skills.
LIFE ABROAD
Live in Caen, a walkable university city in Normandy filled with cafés, markets, and historic architecture. From navigating the tram that runs through campus to spending afternoons in the old town or along the Orne River, you’ll practice French as part of your daily routine.
Experience & cultural Engagement
Settle into student life at Université de Caen with an orientation that covers everything you need to know about the university and the city. You’ll receive additional support through a guided city tour that helps you navigate the historic center you’ll call home, and a buddy program that pairs you with a French student who will practice speaking the language with you while exploring the city together. The program includes regional excursions to places like Mont-Saint-Michel, the Bayeux Tapestry, and Giverny, while still leaving space to explore independently. The program closes with a celebratory dinner — a moment to reflect on new friendships, stronger French language skills, and the deeper perspective on French culture and history you gained along the way.
Live & Dine
Choose a private room at a homestay for deeper cultural and language immersion as you enjoy morning and evening meals with your host family. If you prefer traditional campus living, opt for a private room in a student residence hall where you’ll have a single room, a private bathroom, and share a kitchen with other students on your floor. In both options, you will have access to cooking essentials needed to prepare your own meals, and you can shop for fresh ingredients at local groceries and bakeries. You can also eat lunch on campus at one of the dining halls, or you can try Normandy specialties like crêpes, fresh seafood, regional cheeses, and the area’s well-known cider at cafés and restaurants throughout Caen.
Explore Normandy
Explore Caen’s Château de Caen, stroll through local markets, and visit the Memorial Museum before heading to the nearby D-Day landing beaches along the Normandy coast. Take advantage of the many accessible train options to visit iconic cities like Paris, London, and Amsterdam in just a few hours.
What We Love About This Program
We love how Caen blends old and new — medieval stone, post-war rebuilds, and lively markets all within walking distance. Add in that unmistakable old-town European feel and a glass of Normandy cider, and daily life here feels both historic and distinctly local.
SCHOLARSHIP
This program qualifies for the ISEP French and German Language Annette Kade Fund Scholarship. The scholarship awards $500 - $1,500 USD to students who are from a U.S. institution and studying French or German language in Austria, France, Germany, Reunion Island, or Switzerland. Learn more here.
See ISEP Direct budget and estimated expenses (Session 1)
See ISEP Direct budget and estimated expenses (Session 2)
See ISEP Direct budget and estimated expenses (Sessions 1 + 2)
Course Description
SESSION I - two weeks
Students spend 2 weeks earning a total of 45 hours of instruction learning French as a foreign languge (approximately 3 U.S. credits). Session I is open to students of all language levels, beginner through advanced (A1-C1).
SESSION II - two weeks
Session II is most sutable for students who know a bit of French (language instruction starts at the A2 level) and who are inersted in French culture and local Normandie history and art.
Instruction for Session II is broken down into a morning and an afternoon course earning a total of 45 hours of instruction (or 3 U.S. credits).
Morning insruction - French as a foreign language (24 hours of instruction) from upper beginner to advanced.
Afternoon insruction - students enroll in one of the two afternoon sessions outlined below based on language level to earn an additional 21 hours of instructions:
- Niveau 1 courses focus on French culture, society, and gastronomy
- Niveau 2 courses focus on the history of Normandy, writers from Normandy, and Art and Architecture in Normandy
COMBINED SESSION I & II – four weeks
Students are welcome and encouraged to attend both Sessions I and II for a total of four weeks in Normandy. If a student is placed into one languae level and improves enough in the first two weeks, they can be eligible to move up a language level in the second session.
Academics
Other Academic Conditions
Program dates inclusive of arrival and departure Summer 2026:
Session I (2 weeks):
Arrival: 14 June 2026
Course start: 15 June 2026
Course End: 26 June 2026
Departure: 27 June 2026
Session II (2 weeks):
Arrival: 28 June 2026
Course start: 29 June 2026
Course End: 10 July 2026
Departure: 11 July 2026
PASSPORT: All students must have a valid passport to participate in this program. If you do not have a valid passport, we suggest you start the application process as soon as possible.
VISA/RESIDENCE PERMIT: Students with U.S. citizenship attending programs in France for less than 90 days are not required to obtain a French visa. All other students should inquire with their local French embassy if they will be required to obtain a Schengen Visa for the duration of their Summer program in France prior to arrival. For more information on the process and estimated cost, please review the ISEP Country Handbook here.
Semester & Prices (based on your filters)
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