Location:

Lyon, France

Program Type:

Study Abroad

Degree Level:

Undergraduate

Term:

Academic Year, Fall Semester, Spring Semester, Summer

Program Overview

Program Description:

Lyon is one of the most attractive cities in France, creating a fresh combination of the bustle of a large, European city and the simplicity of French tradition. The Presqu’île of Lyon serves as the city center with towering business buildings, blocks of busy shops, and streets lined with cafés full of Lyonnais taking their afternoon break. The charm of the city lies in your ability to escape the crowds by turning onto a quiet cobblestone street and ducking into a small bistro, where you are sure to get a chance to practice your French. Spend your weekends biking or strolling along the Rhône or Saône rivers, planning a Sunday picnic with friends, or wandering through some of the most well-preserved Renaissance architecture in the world. Choosing a homestay while you are abroad will give you the opportunity to see into the heart of French home life, culture, and cooking.

The Lyon semester and yearlong program offers an intensive language approach at L’Université Lumière Lyon 2 (University of Lyon 2), where you will be able to earn up to 12 credits of French in one semester. Depending upon your language level, you will choose electives in culture, political science, cinema, economics, or literature taught specifically for USAC students. The university itself also offers the opportunity to enroll in courses with French students, taught in either English or French. You may choose to stay for one semester or a full year.

Program fees include tuition, orientation, field trips, and tours.

Setting Description:

Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998, Lyon remains an important center for French culture and history. Significant monuments include the Nôtre Dame de Fourvière and the Gallo-Roman Museum. The local theatre, Le Théàtre des Célestins, is itself an important piece of Lyonnais history situated in the center of the city. The theatre presents both locally-produced and touring performances year-round. Lyon is also a hub for cinema thanks to the Lumière brothers, Lyon natives who created the first moving picture. Their legacy endures in Lyon through the Institut Lumière where you can watch movies for an affordable price. The city holds one of the largest film festivals in France which brings directors, actors, and cinephiles from all over the world to celebrate the history of film.

Additional Program Information

Scholarships:

Yes