French Summer Study in Lyon

Photo Albums of Previous Summers in Lyon

Overview of the Program

The French Summer Program is an intensive language and culture program directed by the Department of French and Italian of the University of Texas at Austin in cooperation with the Université Jean Moulin, Lyon, France. The program provides students the opportunity to live and study in France for six weeks (corresponding to the first summer session), to develop French language skills and experience a different cultural environment. Students earn six credit hours for two courses.

The program is open to all registered undergraduate and graduate students of UT and to students in good standing from other universities or colleges who register at UT for the summer session.

Two UT French faculty members accompany the group, Director Karen Kelton and Associate Director Thomas Vessely. Depending on enrollments, the group may also be accompanied by a graduate assistant from the department.

Program Itinerary

The program begins Sunday, May 31 in Paris. Students spend five days touring monuments, museums, and neighborhoods studying the history of the city. After Paris, the group travels by train to Lyon, the second largest city in France, for five weeks of immersion in this cultural and economic capital. Lyon is conveniently located in central France— one hour from Geneva, two hours from Paris, and three hours from the Mediterranean. In Lyon students live with French families in demi-pension, taking breakfast and dinner with the family. Weekend excursions feature sights beyond Lyon:  Annecy, Chamonix in the Alps, Avignon amd Arles in Provence, Les Saintes Maries de la Mer on the Mediterranean, and the Beaujolais wine country. The program ends with a memorable farewell dinner for the participants and their host families.

Program Courses

All participants must take two courses (6 credit hours) for which they register at UT prior to departure. Students may sign up for the following sequences of courses depending on previous coursework:

• FR 312K + FC 345
• FR 320E + FC 345
• FR 312K Second-Year French I (third semester) is a four skills language course: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Instructor TBA.
• FR 320E Advanced French I: A four-skills course with emphasis on grammar and writing skills.
• FC 345 Perspectives on Contemporary France, contemporary French culture through readings, visits, and excursions. This course fulfills the Liberal Arts Area D General Culture Requirement.

All courses are academically challenging. Special attention is paid to each student’s proficiency and interests.

Costs and Requirements

The cost to each participant is tentatively $3,900. This fee covers room and all meals in Paris, transportation from Paris to Lyon (train), housing and demi-pension (breakfast and supper) in Lyon, basic medical insurance, e-mail access at the university of Lyon, a local transportation pass in Lyon, and all program weekend excursions including transportation, hotel rooms, and breakfast and supper.

Student Responsibilities Not Included In the Fees

• Round-trip airfare between U.S. and France
• Lunches
• Registration fees for two courses at UT
• A valid passport. U.S. citizens do not need a visa, but some foreign students need one and are responsible for obtaining it
• An International Student Identification card

Limited Enrollment
Any student in good standing who will have completed a year of French (either FR506 and FR507, or FR508K or FR 604) before the program begins and who has an overall G.P.A. of 3.0 may apply.

Needs-based Scholarships

Upon acceptance, students may apply for scholarships from the the College of Liberal Arts, Lyon Program and the UT Study Abroad Office.  

Program Cancellation
The department reserves the right to cancel or modify the program at any time. Should the program be cancelled, participants will receive full refunds less expenses incurred, if any.

Participant Withdrawal

50% of the fees will be reimbursed for withdrawal prior to April 1st, 25% prior to May 1st, and none after that date.

Application Forms

To complete your application, please include the following items:

• the application form (PDF, 1.2MB)
• a letter of recommendation from an instructor/professor (may be submitted by email)
• a one-page, typed personal statement about why you wish to participate in the Lyon program and your ability to adapt to a foreign culture (i.e. a host family)

Please submit these documents (application form, letter of recommendation, personal statement) by February 10, 2009. Interviews will be scheduled in late January and early February.

Application and Information Contact

The University of Texas at Austin
Lyon Summer Program
Karen Kelton, Director

Department of French and Italian
1 University Station B7600
Austin, TX 78712
HRH 2.106A
512-471-5511