The study abroad experience you need!

My semester in Nantes was everything I ever dreamed studying abroad would be except it was a thousand times better. I always thought I would study in Paris but when I learned of the Nantes program, I realized it was the best choice for me. Nantes is the perfect size - not too big, not too small - so by the end of the semester I really felt like I had gotten to know all of Nantes well, something I don't think I would have felt after only a semester in Paris. Still, I never ran out of things to do. I really felt at home in Nantes and like I was living the life of a French student, not just a visitor trying to fit in. People in Nantes are so welcoming and very patient with non-native French speakers so everywhere you go in Nantes, you are getting great experience speaking French.

I think the biggest strength of the program is the homestay. I know that if I had lived in a dorm or apartments with other American students, I would have spoken so much English. Living with a family, though difficult in the beginning, was the single greatest thing I ever did for my French speaking abilities. The families that work with the IES program are all very experienced in hosting American students. They welcome the students into their homes and treat them like family. I was invited to my host brother's wedding while I was there. I know many other families took their students with them to their vacation homes during breaks.

Another wonderful thing provided by the IES program is the French assistants. Several French graduate students work for IES and plan events for the students in the program, run the conversation club, and hold office hours for help with homework. They are a great resource because they are also students so they give awesome recommendations for things to do and see in Nantes and how to be successful as a student in France.

Nantes is a beautiful city, full of so much culture and history and conveniently located for travel around France, especially to Paris and from there, the rest of Europe. It's a great place to spend quality time learning French in a non-threatening environment. I would feel so much more comfortable living and speaking French in Paris after my semester in Nantes. I have visited Paris several times and of course it is as incredible as everyone says it is but I am so glad I got to know another part of France and expand my knowledge of French culture and language in Nantes.