The many attractions of France are well known to you: scenic landscapes, lush vineyards, bustling markets, lively cafés, haute cuisine, high-speed public transportation, picturesque villages, and metropolises rich in atmosphere, culture, and history.

But what awaits you at ISEP’s 21 French institutions is another side of France that is only experienced by the adventurous few: reading a history book next to a medieval castle in Normandy or Brittany; conducting environmental studies labs along rugged trails in the Alps; painting in the shadows of the great Impressionists along the Mediterranean; and tutoring aspiring French actors in the rolling hills surrounding the Loire River.

The rich diversity of landscapes, history, and culture surrounding ISEP-France’s institutions serve as a splendid backdrop for your mastery of French and further exploration of any field of study in one of the most rigorous educational systems in the world.

Students studying in France must be independent, self-reliant, organized, and able to handle ambiguity in order to successfully immerse into the highly structured and oftentimes bureaucratic French university system.

The French ISEP member institutions have developed short intensive language programs to prepare ISEP participants for their direct enrollment at French universities. Classes focus on strengthening basic language skills and introduce students to the methods of instruction and assignments they will experience in French universities. Further details are available from your ISEP coordinator.

French Options at-a-Glance for US Students
French Options at-a-Glance for International Students

Chances of Placement

Chances of placement are excellent for students with strong French language skills. Some sites are competitive: Students should be flexible and choose as many study sites as possible. Not all sites offer full-time language programs and those that do fill-up quickly.