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France Summer Language Camp

All levels of French are welcome on this month-long language intensive! Immerse yourself in French language and culture while soaking up the beautiful French Riviera.

Considering summer camp in the U.S., but also interested in studying abroad? Then consider having an international summer camp experience in Nice, France! This 4-week camp brings together like-minded students from over 40 countries around the world to learn French.

During the camp, you will be enrolled in approximately 15 hours of French language classes per week and share a dorm with 2-3 other campers. At both the beginning and end of the program, your language skills will be tested and evaluated – there’s no better way to quantify and improve your French language skills during the summer!

When you’re not learning the language, you can choose to participate in a variety of sports, culture, and tourism activities in the Cap d’Ail Monaco and the Nice region.

With its passion for food, philosophy, art, and architecture, France is an ideal place to immerse yourself in a new culture and language. This month-long French summer language camp will give you an intensive French language learning experience in one of the most scenic places on Earth: the South of France. Your classes will be small and based on skill-level, and beginners are welcome.

Things to know

The French are proud of their language and history. They are generally hospitable and most will be interested in learning about you and your culture. Food is very important to the French, and you really will see locals strolling down the street with a baguette under their arms. (You’re unlikely to find many berets, though.)

What's included in your experience

  • 70 Years Experience

Eligibility

Graduates Eligible? Yes, high school graduates are eligible to participate.
Minimum GPA 2.0
Age Range 15yrs, 0 months to
16yrs, 11 months at start of program
Language Skills No language requirement
COVID-19 Vaccine Required

Your journey to France

In the months before your departure, AFSers have the opportunity to participate in various preparatory activities, including an online Student Learning Journey, which is an interactive course that brings AFSers from around the world together to learn how to develop essential global skills, intercultural communication techniques, and practice social impact, maximizing the outcomes of the AFS learning experience. 

AFS-USA will coordinate and share your international travel with you. You will need to coordinate your own travel to the point of international departure. Soon after your arrival, you’ll make your way to your language school, the Centre Méditerranéen d’Etudes Françaises, in the city of Cap D’Ail. Along the way you’re bound to pass parks full of flowers and ancient stone walls sheltering cities and small towns alike. You’ll also get your first glimpse of the sunny beaches of the famous French Riviera, complete with azure waters and luscious palm trees.

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Moving Into Your Dorm

One of the most unique aspects of this French summer language camp is the fact that you’ll be living alongside students from around the world in a camp setting. You will stay in the school’s residence halls in modest rooms that accommodate 2-6 people of the same gender. Air conditioning is not typical in France. This dorm experience will provide an opportunity for intercultural exchange, and you’ll get to know other international students during recreational activities. A cafeteria on campus will provide balance and nutritious meals.

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Settling into daily life

Intensive Language Learning

During this month-long camp, you’ll receive approximately 60 hours of French language lessons (3 hours per day, 5 days per week). Don’t worry if you’re a beginner, because all levels are welcome. Your French-speaking ability will be evaluated at the beginning of the camp and you’ll be assigned to the class that best fits your personal language level. You’ll have the opportunity to advance to a new level weekly as your French improves. Additional classes beyond the 60 hours may also be available.

All study materials will be provided, but you might want to bring along your own English-French dictionary for easy reference.

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Exploring the Area

In addition to language lessons, you can play sports like tennis or beach volleyball, and participate in activities such as catamaran, windsurfing, canyoning, snorkeling, or swimming. Or if you’d rather stay inside and work on your French, you’ll be able to hang around camp. Evening entertainment will be organized as large group activities or small workshops. There will be several options (sports tournaments, concerts, cooking, arts and crafts, bilingual clubs, etc.), and you can participate in the activities you choose.

You’ll also be able to learn more about French culture by doing some exploring. On afternoons and weekends, you’ll have the chance to visit nearby cities on the Riviera including Monaco, Nice, Menton, Villefranche, Èze, and Roquebrune. Day-trips might also include legendary resort destinations like Cannes (site of the annual international film festival), Saint-Tropez, or Grasse. Unchaperoned travel is not allowed.

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Average Day:

  • 8:45 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. – French Class (written and oral focus)
  • 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. – Workshops for Creative Expression in French (such as theatre, journalism, media, writing, French song, etc.)

Available Scholarships

AFS-USA scholarships are made possible by the generosity of numerous donors who all have a deep connection with AFS and value intercultural exchanges as necessary for the promotion of peace and justice in the world. Upon submission, applications will be reviewed and matched with the most applicable scholarship, if available. All scholarships are partial, and scholarship award amounts will be determined based on camp length. For additional funding resources, check out our Fundraising page. You can view all available national and local scholarships on our Scholarships page.

What's Included

  • 70+ years of experience delivering high-quality programs through a worldwide network of 50,000 dedicated volunteers
  • Accommodations
  • Round-trip international airfare for the designated camp dates
  • Camp activity fees
  • Worldwide, 24-hour emergency assistance
  • Access to an in-country support team and network, as well as our Participant Support Department based here in the U.S.
  • International secondary medical travel coverage
  • Visa support and guidance
  • Inclusion in a worldwide returnee and alumni network of over 1,000,000 people
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Returning Home

“Life-changing” is hard to describe, yet it’s nearly always the first thing that AFSers say when asked about their experience abroad. “Transformed” is another one.

When you return home from the French summer language camp, you’ll bring with you a sense of accomplishment unlike any other. You’ll have gained maturity and independence, discovered new passions, and developed the confidence and resilience to accomplish anything you set out to do.

That transformation isn’t only visible to you, though – others see it as well. AFSers gain critical skills for college and careers. Second language fluency, intercultural competence, creativity, and critical reasoning will help you succeed, whatever path you take. “Life-changing” means it’s only the beginning.

It’s not just an adventure abroad; it’s a whole new reality. The perspectives and personal connections you gained will stay with you and likely draw you back to the second home you found in France. In fact, our alumni reviews have made AFS one of the top-rated organizations in the study abroad industry.

A new you awaits.

Apply for Summer Language Study Program in France!

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