paris photo
There's something sort of surreal about walking by Norte Dame with a perfect strawberry ice cream, and you know you can't do that in Philadelphia.
– Liz Brady
Villanova University

intensive language and culture in Tours

Central College Abroad provides students a truly unique opportunity to begin their French immersion experience in the city of Tours at the Institut de Touraine located in France's Loire Valley. Here students live with French families and take intensive language courses. After their time in Tours (four weeks in the fall; two in the spring), students are acclimated and well-prepared to move on to Paris, where they will begin their studies at different affiliate institutions. Full-year academic students do not repeat the intensive language and culture program in Tours.

Intensive language coursework taken during the program in Tours carries three summer term or two January term credits, meaning these credits are not added to the credits earned during a semester at an affiliate institution.

Travel

All initial flights are made into Paris, and students spend their first night in a hotel. Students, along with the resident director, depart the following day for Tours, where they begin their four or two-week intensive language and culture preparation. Tours is only 55 minutes from Paris by high speed train, and has a rich historic and architectural heritage. This lively city has a beautiful city center with a popular pedestrian area. The students are met by their host families upon arrival in Tours.

Institut de Touraine

Students have the opportunity to study French where famous historian Michelet said, "Our language is spoken with the most beautiful and purest accent of all." The Institut de Touraine has been providing French classes for a century and currently welcomes students from 80 nationalities. More information is found on the web site www.institutdetouraine.fr.

Required course work

French Grammar and Civilization
Students attend four weeks (fall semester)/two weeks (spring semester) of intensive language and culture preparation at the Institut de Touraine as well as further cultural orientation under the guidance of the resident director. The course is supplemented by informational meetings, comparative cultural discussions, visits and excursions.

Housing and meals

During this initial stage of the orientation, students live with host families (two students per family; two meals per day). Classes at the Institut take place each morning, and afternoons are comprised of program meetings, group excursions to local sites and free time for exploring and getting to know the director and other Central College Abroad students.