Nantes - French Language Immersion & Area Studies | IES Abroad

Nantes - French Language Immersion & Area Studies

Why Nantes?

Nantes just might be the perfect place to improve your French language skills. That’s because it’s not a tourist destination like Paris or the French Riviera, so English is rarely spoken. But Nantes is a spectacularly beautiful city on the Loire River, featuring gorgeous architecture (including its own castle), charming (and charmingly quirky) attractions, and beautiful outdoor spaces.

Nantes is also home to some of the most delicious food France has to offer (think crêpes, fish with beurre blanc, buttery cakes, and, of course, wonderful regional cheeses.) It’s also very manageable, eco-friendly, and great to bike around in.

What You'll Study?

Our French Language Immersion & Area Studies Program has two important goals: to improve your written and verbal proficiency in French through language and area studies courses, and to introduce you to contemporary France and its role in the European Union. A beautiful city on the Loire River, Nantes offers wonderful food, outdoor spaces, and stunning modern and classic architecture. Nantes is the ideal place to improve your French—with few anglophones and a focus on full immersion, you’ll have the opportunity to fully integrate into French society and function completely in French.

This program has a close relationship with the Université de Nantes, so you will have many opportunities to enroll in local university courses. IES Abroad courses are taught in French by native French faculty, many of whom are professors at the Université de Nantes. You have access to the university libraries, computer labs, cafeterias, and sports facilities, and you are welcome to join student clubs and other social and sports organizations. You may also enroll in an art course at the École des Beaux-Arts Nantes Saint-Nazaire, or take Business and Communications courses in English at the AACSB- and EQUIS-accredited Audencia Business School.

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Daily Life

Nantes will be your classroom. Visit La Beaujoire Stadium to watch soccer games or I’île de Versailles to people watch and explore. Tour the museum and home of Nantes’ own science fiction author, Jules Verne. Take a stroll around town or near the Erdre and Loire rivers, and explore what makes Nantes a model “green” city in France. Practice your French while ordering crêpes in the region where they were first made. You can also enroll in a teaching internship, which includes time spent working at your placement and an academic seminar that helps you contextualize what you’re learning.

During your time in Nantes, you stay with a local family who can help you practice your Frenchspeaking skills and get to know what daily life in Nantes is truly like. Get around the city on foot, by public transportation, or by bike, as Nantes was named the “biking capital city” in 2015.

We want you to feel at home in Nantes, so we do everything we can to help you integrate into life in the city. From housing to cultural events, our job is to make sure you have the most authentic study abroad experience possible.

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$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid

We firmly believe that financial limitations should not prevent a qualified student from participating in an IES Abroad Program. This is why we commit more than $6 million to our scholarship and aid programs.

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Academics

Our mission is simple: to provide you with the best study abroad program possible—which includes the highest quality academic and cultural experiences.

We offer unique courses that explore French language, history, and culture, as well as other topics, through an in-depth and handson approach. Our world-class professors and course options at prestigious local institutions enhance your academic experience and provide you with new perspectives each day in class.

While in Nantes, you take 15–19 credits per semester, and all courses are worth 3 credits unless otherwise specified. All courses are taught in French.

Create your own academic experience by selecting from the following required and optional components:

IES Abroad French language course (required, 3-4 credits)
French-taught area studies courses (required, 3 credits each)
French-taught courses at a local university (optional, 3 credits each)
- Université de Nantes
- Audencia Business School
- École des Beaux-Arts de Nantes Sant-Nazaire
Teaching Internship and seminar (optional, 3 credits)

Courses

These courses are taught at the IES Abroad Center by local faculty. All courses are offered both fall and spring semesters unless otherwise noted. After you are accepted, you will see a list of final course offerings for your term in your MyIESabroad account. The final course list for each term will depend on faculty availability, students interested in each course, and discipline diversity.

To learn more about IES Abroad’s innovative theoretical and pedagogical approaches to teaching language abroad, refer to the IES Abroad MAP for Language & Intercultural Communication.

Art History
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
AH 313 - French Classicism: Art And Architecture	Fall	French	3
AH 314 - French 19th and 20th Century Art	Spring	French	3

Cultural Studies
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
CU 356 - French Cooking and Gastronomy: Food, Wine and Etiquette	Fall, Spring	French	3
SO/PO/CU 352 - French Overseas Territories: A Model of Diversity Management	Spring	French	3

Economics
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
EC 380 - International Trade And Globalization	Fall	French	3
PO/EC 382 - The European Union and France	Spring	French	3
PP/EC/ES 364 - Nantes Green Capital: A Model for Understanding the Green Economy	Spring	French	3

Environmental Studies
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
PP/EC/ES 364 - Nantes Green Capital: A Model for Understanding the Green Economy	Spring	French	3

French Language
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
FR 303 - French Language in Context: Emerging Independent Abroad	Fall, Spring	French	4
FR 353 - French Language in Context: Independent Abroad	Fall, Spring	French	4
FR 377 - Phonetics and Conversation	Fall, Spring	French	4
FR 401 - French Language in Context: Emerging Competent Abroad	Fall, Spring	French	3
FR 451 - French Language in Context: Competent Abroad	Fall, Spring	French	3

Film Studies
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
FS 320 - History of French Cinema	Fall	French	3

History
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
HS 358 - France And The Atlantic World	Fall	French	3
RL/HS 342 - Religion, Society and the State in Modern France	Spring	French	3
RL/HS 362 - Nantes Between Revolution and Counter-Revolution. Political and Religious Controversies of the French Revolution: the Example of Nantes (1780-1832)	Fall	French	3

Internship Seminar
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
IN 395 - Teaching Internship Seminar	Fall, Spring	French	3

Literature
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
LT 345 - Panorama of French Theater	Spring	French	3
LT 349 - French Poetry At The Turn Of The Century	Fall	French	3

Political Science
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
PO 371 - Construction of a European Union from 1945 to the Present	Fall	French	3
PO 372 - Government and Politics in France since 1958	Spring	French	3
PO/EC 382 - The European Union and France	Spring	French	3
SO/PO/CU 352 - French Overseas Territories: A Model of Diversity Management	Spring	French	3

Public Policy
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
PP/EC/ES 364 - Nantes Green Capital: A Model for Understanding the Green Economy	Spring	French	3

Religious Studies
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
RL/HS 342 - Religion, Society and the State in Modern France	Spring	French	3
RL/HS 362 - Nantes Between Revolution and Counter-Revolution. Political and Religious Controversies of the French Revolution: the Example of Nantes (1780-1832)	Fall	French	3

Sociology
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
SO 360 - Contemporary French Society: French Identity In The European Union	Fall	French	3
SO/PO/CU 352 - French Overseas Territories: A Model of Diversity Management	Spring	French	3

Theatre Arts
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
TH 343 - Theater Production	Fall, Spring	French	3

Partner Institution(s)

The amount of credit awarded by local universities varies between 2-4 credits depending on the course. Course offerings vary from semester to semester, and course listings and syllabi are not available until shortly before the beginning of the academic year.

Université de Nantes
You are automatically registered at the Université de Nantes and are encouraged to enroll in at least one university course provided you have the appropriate prerequisites.

Courses
Most university courses are assigned 3 credits for a semester. At the Université de Nantes, most courses consist of a cours magistral (lecture course) and a travaux dirigés (discussion sessions). The lecture course is taught by a professor or a maître de conférences, and the travaux dirigés are generally taught by an associate professor.

You may select French-taught courses in:

Art History
Business & Economics
Education
Geography
History
Humanities
Languages & Literature
Political Science
Psychology, Sociology, Philosophy
Sciences: Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics

Location & Commute Time
The main campus, called Tertre Campus, hosts the colleges of Language, Literature, Geography, History, Art History, Humanities, Political Science, Business, Economics and Management, Education, and Psychology. The Tertre campus, situated on the Erdre River, is located in the outskirts of Nantes, in the northern part of the city. The Tertre Campus of the Université de Nantes can easily be reached by tram and buses. It is only a 20-minute tram ride from the city center and approximately 25 minutes from the IES Abroad Center.

The Lombarderie Campus hosts all courses in the sciences, and is a 10-minute tram ride from the city center and the IES Abroad Center, in the same direction as Tertre Campus.

Audencia Business School
Consistently ranked as one of the world’s top 100 institutions for Business and Management, the Audencia Business School is one of France’s elite Grande École institutions, ranked sixth in the nation. Audencia has AACSB and EQUIS accreditation and offers several French-taught courses that IES Abroad students can enroll in. Classes are available in:

Business & Management
Communications

École des Beaux-Arts de Nantes
Fall and academic year IES Abroad students may enroll in one course at this fine arts school, with priority given to students who have experience in Studio Art. As registration takes place in September only, spring students may enroll only if a spot becomes vacant. Classes are available in:

Courses
École des Beaux-Arts courses are practical workshops - you work alone with advising from the class instructor. Your evaluation and grade is based on your work and progress in class. École des Beaux-Arts offers you opportunities in:

Live Model Drawing
Painting
Drawing
Watercolor
Oil

Courses typically earn 2 credits.

Location & Commute Time
École des Beaux-Arts is located in downtown Nantes, a 10-15 minute walk from the IES Abroad Nantes Center.

Internships

Interning while you study in Nantes gives you a rewarding job experience with a wealth of long-lasting career benefits. You will:

Gain a better understanding of the real-life, everyday culture of your host country
Add global work experience and skills to your résumé or your application for graduate school
Improve your confidence

All of our internships are supervised and earn IES Abroad credit. You participate in a 3-credit seminar to complement the practical experience you gain during the internship.

Teaching Placements
Participating in a teaching internship in Nantes as part of your study abroad experience gives you the opportunity to learn about the French education system and teach English to French students. No prior teaching experience is required. A teaching internship abroad will help distinguish your application for graduate school or a job opportunity. It’s an exhilarating challenge, and we’re here to help guide you in securing your placement and succeeding in your internship.

You complete at least four hours of supervised teaching each week. Placements are available in écoles primaires (elementary schools), collèges (junior high schools), and lycées (high schools) in Nantes.

Field Trips & Events

Even though your adventure starts in Nantes, our field trips take you beyond the city to discover the culture and traditions of your host country. These trips are subsidized by IES Abroad. Here are a few possible destinations.

Caen & The Normandy Beaches
2 Days | Spring
Stay overnight in Caen, city of William the Conqueror. Visit the Mémorial de Caen, the historic D-Day beaches, and the American Cemetery to learn more about Normandy’s role in World War II. Discover Bayeux and the incredible 11th-century tapestry depicting the story of the Norman conquest and the Battle of Hastings.

Tours & The Loire Valley Castles
2 Days | Fall
Visit several of the most famous châteaux in the heart of the Loire Valley, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This region is known for its wine production and for being the former playground of the French kings, who came here to hunt. More than 300 castles dot the landscape.

Clisson & The Muscadet Vineyards
1 Day | Fall & Spring
Tour this small, charming town dating back to antiquity and known for its distinctive Tuscan-inspired architecture. Explore the Château de Clisson and the 15th-century market, one of the oldest functioning markets in France. Visit a vineyard to discover how the local Muscadet wine is made and enjoy a tasting.

Mont Saint-Michel & Saint Malo
1 Day | Fall & Spring
Visit the famous abbey on the island of Mont Saint-Michel, and explore Saint Malo, a walled port city on the English Channel.

IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities, and length of stay may vary according to term and availability.

Course-Related Trips

Course-related trips are organized as an integral part of the IES Abroad courses and contribute to a general knowledge of French culture and society. For instance, as part of our French Cooking & Gastronomy course, students travel to Bordeaux to visit cheese and wine producers, and sample local specialties, like cannelés.

Participation is based on course registration and may involve an additional fee. Students not enrolled in these classes may participate, if space allows, for an additional cost.

Past course-related trips include:

Making baguettes at a local boulangerie (bakery)
A visit to the Memorial to the Abolition of Slavery
A trip to the Salon du Vin et de la Gastronomie (a food and wine expo)
A walking tour of the monuments in Nantes
Watching a French movie at the Cinéma Gaumont
Exploring the Marché de Talensac (a local farmers’ market)

Daily Life

Part of making you feel at home in Nantes is doing our best to help you feel safe and cared for. Whether it’s the orientation program that prepares you for what’s ahead, your housing that is well-located and comfortable, or the field trips that take you to places off the beaten path—we’re all about our student services.

Orientation

The program begins with a 10-day orientation that introduces you to the IES Abroad staff, your fellow students, and the city of Nantes, plus a language-intensive session that prepares you for full French immersion.

A portion of your orientation takes place off-site in a coastal resort town, such as Vannes in the fall and the Touraine in the spring. The rest of the IES Abroad orientation program takes place in and around Nantes.

Our Comprehensive Orientation & Re-Entry Experience (CORE™) begins right when you arrive and continues through the semester with activities focusing on academic and cultural adjustment. Detailed information about housing, public transportation, culture, health and safety, and other important topics are also covered.

Housing

We want to make sure that your greatest challenge is deciding which landmarks to see first or discovering the best café—not finding a place to live where you feel comfortable. We do our best to locate housing that is reflective of how the local students are living. Our goal is that when you leave Nantes, it will feel like home.

Homestay - Live in a private room with a local family in a homestay. Many host families have been welcoming IES Abroad students into their homes for years. Only one IES Abroad student is housed with each family. You receive breakfast daily and five evening meals per week.

Extracurricular Activities & Cultural Events

Redefine the way you live and learn in Nantes through our cultural events, such as:

French table lunches with Center staff and professors
Trips to local operal and theater productions
Visits to museums, local industries, and exhibitions
Student theater performances
A weekly conversation club for French and IES Abroad students

University Clubs & Events
Upon enrolling in the IES Abroad Nantes Program, you are automatically registered at the Université de Nantes and have access to join student clubs and other social and sports organizations.

Volunteer Abroad

When you volunteer in Nantes, you have the chance to make a difference in the local community while meeting new people and gaining a new perspective on the world. If you are passionate about volunteering abroad, just let the on-site staff know at the beginning of your term. Past volunteer opportunities in Nantes include:

Relief organizations
Food banks
Schools

Get to Know Your New City

Sample the Delicacies of Nantes

For instance, try the galettes de blé noir, savory buckwheat crêpes filled with eggs, cheese, and ham.

Shop the Passage Pommeraye

Named because it serves as a link between two streets, this spectacularly ornate and elaborate little shopping mall is stunning, whether you’re here to shop or just passing through.

Chateau des Ducs de Bretagne

With beautiful gardens surrounding the moat and a fascinating museum of Nantes’ history inside, this impressive castle is a must see.

Cruise Down the River

Since Nantes is right on the Loire River, a scenic boat cruise down the estuary to the nearby Atlantic Ocean is a great way to spend a few hours.

Ride the Great Elephant at Les Machines de L'Ile de Nantes

This collection of gigantic and whimsical mechanical beasts is something you’ll only find here in Nantes.

Program Cost

Consider these prices as a starting point. We encourage you to contact your study abroad office to determine the actual cost to you when factoring in financial aid, scholarships, your home school policies, and other factors.

Term: Spring 2020
Term	Tuition	Housing	Insurance	Total
Spring 2020	$14,560	$4,180	$230	$18,970

Term: Fall 2020
Term	Tuition	Housing	Insurance	Total
Fall 2020 Academic Year	$14,560 $26,195	$4,180 $8,360	$230 $455	$18,970 $35,010

Scholarships & Aid

Program-Specific Scholarships

Robert McNeill Need-Based International Business Scholarship

Up to $3,000; awarded to 2 students each year

This scholarship is named in honor of Robert McNeill, member of the IES Abroad Board of Directors for 25 years (6 years as Chairman). Open to students who have an interest in international business. Majors might include management, marketing, economics, finance, international relations, and social and behavioral sciences.

Dr. William Louis Gaines Need-Based History or International Relations Scholarship

Up to $1,875; awarded to 4-6 students each year

This scholarship is named in honor of Dr. William Louis Gaines, President of IES Abroad from 1974-1992. Dr. Gaines was dedicated to strengthening IES Abroad's academic framework, broadening the scope of IES Abroad locations, and securing the financial foundation of the organization.

Open to students majoring in History or International Relations.

Kathleen Kervin Diamond Endowed Scholarship

Up to $2,000 each; awarded to 4-6 students each year

Kathleen Diamond is a consultant, entrepreneur, and business leader in the language services industry. In 1979, she founded Language Learning Enterprises, Inc. (LLE®), a full-service language company based in Washington, D.C. She is recognized as an early pioneer in Telephone Interpreting, launching LLE-LINK in the early 1990s. Over the next 20 years, under her leadership, the company grew into a dynamic, multimillion dollar corporation, serving a wide range of clients, in both the private and public sectors, across the United States, and worldwide. In 2009, Ms.

The Sam McQuade Nantes Endowed Scholarship in Memory of Mme Suzanne Hugues

Up to $1,000; awarded to 2 students each year

The Sam McQuade Nantes Endowed Scholarship in Memory of Mme. Suzanne Hugues, was established by Sam W. McQuade, Nantes 1967-68. Mme. Suzanne Hugues, who Mr. McQuade remembers fondly as “La Directrice” of the Nantes Center, greeted him when he first arrived in Nantes and was his advisor during his academic year abroad. She passed away in December 1969.

Use our budget worksheet to calculate your costs

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$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid

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Our Center

While in Nantes, we want to ensure you have every opportunity to immerse yourself in new experiences. That’s why our IES Abroad Nantes Center staff is committed to providing outstanding academic and student support services. We take care of the details, so you can soak up every moment of your Nantes experience.

The IES Abroad Nantes Center is located in a gorgeous 19th-century residential building that is located just steps from the historic center of Nantes and the Passage Pommeraye—a narrow passageway of galleries that fill three levels and is covered by a canopied glass ceiling.

Our Center is your connection point for all things IES Abroad.

Take your IES Abroad courses in the Center’s classrooms
Meet with staff in their offices
Study and plan trips in the library
Meet up with friends in the student lounge and TV Room
Cook meals in our student friendly kitchen

Other features include: high-speed internet, printing facilities, and a computer lab

Our Staff

Thibaut de Berranger
Center Director

Thibaut first joined IES Abroad Nantes in 1988 as instructor when he taught Government and Politics in France Since 1958. He also served as an academic advisor, helping students select courses and navigate the university system.

In 2004, Thibaut was named Director of the IES Abroad Nantes Center. Thibaut has passionately educated thousands of students, sharing with them his love for Nantes and the discovery of new languages and cultures, and celebrating with them the sense of achievement that comes from a full immersion experience.

After 12 years as Center Director, Thibaut stepped down in 2016, but continued to assist IES Abroad Nantes as an academic advisor, consultant, and liaison with the University of Nantes.

In 2019, Thibaut returned as Center Director. Welcome back, Thibaut!

Nicolas Stefanni
Associate Center Director

Nicolas joins IES Abroad from the University of Nantes, where he held several different positions, including European Project Manager, Project Engineer, and Finance and Administrative Manager. He earned his Master’s degree in Arts, Literature, and Languages at the University of Nantes, and spent one year at the University of the South as Director of the Maison Française.

Together, Thibaut and Nicolas manage all aspects of the Center, Thibaut serving as our IES Abroad Nantes Center Director on a part-time basis heading the academics and overarching direction of the Center, and Nicolas fulfilling his role as full-time Associate Director and managing day-to-day operations, including student affairs, housing, and customized programs.