Language + Culture in Toulouse, France (CIEE)

  • Location: France - Toulouse
  • GPA Requirements: 2.75 GPA
  • Application Deadline: February 20 for fall programs and September 20 for spring programs
  • Program Term(s): Fall, Spring, academic year
  • Official Website: Language + Culture in Toulouse, France (CIEE)
Program Dates
Term Start Date End Date
Spring 2024 January 3rd, 2024 May 11th, 2024
Fall 2024 September 4th, 2024 December 21st, 2024
Spring 2025 January 3rd, 2025 May 10th, 2025

These dates are tentative. Confirm program dates before booking travel.

Where: Toulouse, France

In the South of France between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, Toulouse is consistently rated as one of the best places to live and study in France. Home to French aerospace giant Airbus and other top technology companies, Toulouse has become a European aerospace and technology hub. Toulouse offers program participants the opportunity to experience life in a dynamic French city with top-rated universities, quaint neighborhoods, and wonderful café-lined squares.

Academics

The Language + Culture program in Toulouse invites beginner – intermediate French students to immerse themselves in the language, culture, and history of France. Students are expected to invest time in French language study and use their language skills in everyday life with French students, homestay families, and members of the Toulouse community. Although most of the direct enrollment and specialized CIEE courses are taught in English, students are expected to use French as much as possible outside of class.

Students will take the following courses:
One French language course (4 credits)
At least one CIEE culture course (3 credits each)
A combination of CIEE and elective courses at the Institut Catholique de Toulouse (ICT) for a total of 8-11 semester credits

Academic Structure

Classes in which CIEE students enroll normally meet Monday through Friday, with excursions typically taking place on weekends. Language classes typically meet twice a week (2 sessions of 2 hours each). Student course schedules may change during the semester. The Center Director will work closely with each student to make sure that students are clear about their weekly and semester schedules. Students are expected to complete all the work assigned and take exams when scheduled.

Course Credit

CIEE courses: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours
CIEE French language courses: 4 U.S. semester/6 quarter credits, 60 contact hours
CIEE Internship course: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 15 seminar hours, 100-120 internship placement hours
Institut Catholique de Toulouse (ICT) courses: typically 1-3 U.S. semester/1.5-4.5 quarter credits; 50-150 notional hours

Courses

For a full list of course offerings, visit CIEE’s website here.

Eligibility

2.75 G.P.A. There are no specific language requirements for this program.

Housing & Student Life

Students live in with French homestay families in various Toulouse communities. Two meals on weekdays and three meals on weekends are included in the program. You typically eat weekday breakfasts and dinners with your homestay family. You may purchase lunches at local cafes, restaurants and markets throughout the city.

Visa & Immigration information

If you are a U.S. citizen, you will apply for a visa before departing the United States. If you are not a U.S. citizen, please contact the French consulate in your home country for visa requirements.

Application Process

Allegheny students must apply for approval to study off-campus from the Global Education office AND apply directly to their chosen program.For this program, students should work on the Allegheny approval application at the same time as the host program application. The Allegheny approval application deadline is February 20 for fall programs and September 20 for spring programs. Study away approval applications will be reviewed immediately following the appropriate semester deadline. The separate application deadline to apply directly to this program will vary and could be before or after Allegheny’s approval application due date. Check directly on their website (linked at the top of this page) for deadline information. For more information about the study away application process, please visit the application steps page.

Fees & Costs

Below find information on estimated costs for a semester abroad. You will receive a bill from Allegheny College, as you normally would, for the amount shown under “Costs Paid to Allegheny College.” All other study away program costs will be paid directly to a non-Allegheny entity and are listed in part two below. These amounts are estimates and will vary depending on individual choices. A total estimated cost of attendance for this program is shown at the bottom.

All financial aid awards can be applied to study abroad costs with the exception of federal work study awards and certain tuition exchange scholarships. For more information, visit our page about Financing Study Away.

Part One: Costs Paid to Allegheny College

Tuition (12 to 20 credits)
Students do not pay tuition directly to CIEE. Instead, students continue to pay tuition to Allegheny College. This fee includes academic related expenses, CIEE iNext travel insurance, CIEE deposit.
$27,150
Housing – Double Room Rate
– Students live in with French homestay families in various Toulouse communities
$3,639
Meals – Gator Blue Plan
– Homestay includes two meals a day on weekdays and three meals a day on weekends. You may purchase lunches at local cafes, restaurants and markets throughout the city. 
$3,259
Study Away Fee $800
SUBTOTAL Paid to Allegheny College $34,848

Part Two: Costs Paid to non-Allegheny Entity

Estimated Costs for Additional Meals $800
Estimated Airfare $1,200
Estimated Visa and Immigration Expenses (French visa fee and Campus France fees total about $165. Additional cost included here for possible travel to consulate for visa application $465
Estimated Books and Academic Materials $100
Estimated Local Transportation $60
Estimated Personal Expenses
Personal expenses include: the basic expenses for laundry, toiletries and other incidental expenses. It does not include an estimate for personal travel, entertainment or social outings.
$250
SUBTOTAL Paid to NON-Allegheny entity $2,875

TOTAL COST OF ATTENDANCE

Subtotal Part One: Fees paid to Allegheny College (in section 1. above) PLUS $34,848
Subtotal Part Two: Fees paid to non-Allegheny entity (in section 2. above) $  2,875
TOTAL COST OF ATTENDANCE $37,723 ***
***Compare this to a semester at Allegheny in Meadville.

NOTES:

Study Away Fee includes: administrative support, transcript translation and processing, pre-departure orientation, and emergency travel insurance.