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Nantes - French Language Immersion & Area Studies
$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid
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 hands-on approach. Our worldclass professors and course options at prestigious local institutions enhance your academic experience and provide you with new perspectives each day in class.
Create your own academic experience by selecting from the following program components. You take 15–19 credits per semester. All courses are taught in French.
- IES Abroad French language course (required, 3-4 credits)
- IES Abroad French-taught area studies courses (required, 3 credits each)
- French-taught courses at a partner university (optional, 3-4 credits each)
- Université de Nantes
- École des Beaux-Arts Nantes Saint-Nazaire
- Audencia Business School
- Teaching internship and seminar (optional, 3 credits)
Courses
These courses are taught at the IES Abroad Center by local faculty.
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.
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| PP/EC/ES 364 - Nantes Green Capital: A Model for Understanding the Green Economy | Spring | French | 3 |
| 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 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| FS 320 - History of French Cinema | Fall | French | 3 |
| 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 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| IN 395 - Teaching Internship Seminar | Fall, Spring | French | 3 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| PP/EC/ES 364 - Nantes Green Capital: A Model for Understanding the Green Economy | Spring | French | 3 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 available 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.
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. Classes are available in:
- Live Model Drawing
- Painting
- Drawing
- Watercolor
- Oil
Location & Commute Time
École des Beaux-Arts is located in downtown Nantes, a 10-15 minute walk from the IES Abroad Nantes Center.
Internships
Did you know that, while in Nantes, you can intern as part of your study abroad experience? With a part-time internship, you’ll gain global work experience that will increase your job readiness and give you an advantage after graduation. With an internship, you will:
- Take an important step in your career development by navigating the professional world with our support.
- Learn more about yourself both personally and professionally and build confidence in the process.
- Experience what working in Nantes is really like and gain an authentic understanding of the workplace culture while developing real, applicable job skills that will bolster your career readiness.
- Begin building an international network by making connections with coworkers and peers.
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 for a greater understanding of work life in your host country.
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 outside the city to discover the culture and traditions of your host country and beyond. 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 local castle and the American Cemetery of Colleville next to the D-Day beaches 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 the middle ages 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 SaintMichel and explore Saint Malo, a walled port city on the English Channel.
IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities, and lengths 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 Gastronomy course, students travel to Bordeaux to visit cheese and wine producers and sample local specialties, like canelés.
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)
- Visiting the Memorial to the Abolition of Slavery
- Going to the Salon du Vin et de la Gastronomie (a food and wine expo)
- Taking a walking tour of the monuments in Nantes
- Watching a French movie or play at one of the many theaters in Nantes
- 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 languageintensive session that prepares you for full French immersion.
A portion of your orientation takes place off site. Fall students go to Vannes—a beautiful medieval town on the Golfe du Morbihan coast; spring students go to Touraine to see the famous Loire Castles. 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
Take advantage of the cultural events we organize in Nantes, such as:
- French table lunches with Center staff and professors
- Trips to local operal and theater productions
- Visits to museums, local industries, and exhibitions
- 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.
Scholarships & Aid
Program-Specific Scholarships
Robert McNeill Need-Based International Business Scholarship
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
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
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
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
$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid
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: WiFi, printing facilities, computers, and a piano room.
Our Staff
Nicolas Stefanni
Center Director
Nicolas was the Associate Director at IES Abroad Nantes for a year and a half prior to becoming Center Director.
Previously at the Université de Nantes, Nicolas was the European Project Manager specializing in Social Sciences and Humanities and coordinating activities of international researchers specialized in the History of Religions. He also worked on research project funding proposals for the European Research Council (ERC), the French National Research Agency (ANR), and regional funds. He earned his master’s degree in arts, literature, and languages at the Université de Nantes, having wrote his thesis on American contemporary literature. Nicolas has also spent parts of his education and professional career abroad in the United Kingdom and the United States.
IES Abroad Nantes Staff
Thibaut de Berranger
Academic Coordinator & University Liaison
Health & Safety
With 70 years of experience, we are proud to set the standard for health and safety in study abroad. Our Chicago-based and on-site staff are all highly trained and experienced in the matters of health, safety, and crisis management. We are here for you from predeparture to your return, and are ready to support you—no matter what time zone you’re in.
In response to COVID-19, enhanced safety guidelines will be implemented this spring—such as social distancing and personal protective equipment (PPE) in on-site classes, in-country field trips and travel only, and apartment or residence hall housing (no homestays) that ensures proper space should self-quarantining be necessary.
How We Support You
We plan for "what if" so that you don't have to. From international health insurance included in the cost of your program to highly-trained local staff who can connect you to English-speaking healthcare providers, we are working around the clock to ensure your health and safety while abroad.
Learn more about the support you can expect to receive on our programs, including:
- International health insurance through CISI in the case you need to see a doctor or mental health professional
- 24/7 emergency support whether you encounter an issue while traveling or in your host city
- Location-specific health and safety information presented at orienation by on-site staff
- TripTracker system allowing you to share independent travel plans in case you need to be contacted swiftly in a crisis
- A mandatory cell phone policy so that you can be contacted locally and receive any emergency updates via call or text
- Crisis drills so that you feel prepared to respond to an emergency should one arise
- And more!
Health & Safety Resources
You safety begins with being accurately informed from the moment you're considering study abroad through to the day you return home.
Take note of ways you can maintain your health and stay safe abroad while reviewing our resources, including:
- IES Abroad MAP for Student Health, Safety & Crisis Management
- Study Abroad Safety Tips for Traveling
- IES Abroad Student Blogs on Safety and Mental Health
- And more!
AT A GLANCE
Latest from Nantes
Contact a Past Student
From budgeting tips to housing insight, IES Abroad Ambassadors volunteer their study abroad and internship experiences and advice.
