This five-week immersive program in the exquisite Loire Valley offers the opportunity to live with a French family and take classes at the prestigious Institut de Touraine while discovering the rich historical and cultural past of the region. Dive into France's rich history and modern society while being surrounded by some of Europe's most breathtaking locations. All courses are taught in French and offer University of Pennsylvania course credits.
The Penn Summer Abroad Tours program is exclusively for Penn undergraduate students.
Summer 2025 applications are now closed.
|
Application Open |
November 1, 2024 |
|
Early Application Deadline |
January 31, 2025 |
|
Final Application Deadline |
February 15, 2025 |
Please read the important instructions on the Application Information page before starting your application.
| Saturday, May 24, 2025 | Recommended arrival in Paris |
| Saturday, May 24, 2025 | Travel to Tours, move in with host family |
| Sunday, May 25, 2025 | On-site orientation |
| Monday, May 26, 2025 | Classes start |
| Friday, June 27, 2025 | Classes end |
| Saturday, June 28 - Sunday, June 29, 2025 | Travel to Paris, return home |
All students register for a total of two course units (c.u.)*. Course offerings are subject to change. Course registration is completed by the Penn Summer Abroad office for students who confirm their intent to enroll and submit the required pre-departure documents.
Students at the advanced level can choose to enroll in FREN 2230 (2 c.u.) or both FREN 2231 (1 c.u.) and FREN 1226 (1 c.u.).
Intensive Elementary French Abroad
FREN 0150 (2 c.u.)
- Fulfills the language requirement in French for Penn Nursing and Wharton students only
- Prerequisite: N/A
French 0150 covers the equivalent of FREN 0100 and FREN 0200 at Penn. This course is open to any student interested in learning French. No background in French is necessary.
Intermediate French
FREN 0340 (2 c.u.)
- Fulfills the language requirement in French
- Prerequisite: French 0200 or FREN 0210
French 0340 covers the equivalent of FREN 0300 and FREN 0400 at Penn. Students who have completed FREN 0300 receive credit for FREN 1000. The course stresses the development of functional proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing, combined with a systematic review of grammar.
Advanced Intensive French Composition and Conversation
FREN 2230 (2 c.u.)
- Prerequisite: FREN 0400
This intensive language course is complemented by various workshops to consolidate and deepen written and oral skills, do more targeted phonetic correction work (on expressive intonation, and fluency) in a language lab or in class, discover different aspects of life in France, and to be open to the plurality of cultures. At the end of the program, students will be able to take the Diplôme d’Etudes en Langue Française (DELF).
Advanced French Language and Culture
FREN 2231 (1 c.u.)
- Prerequisite: FREN 0400
This version of the advanced-level language class is non-intensive and is taken alongside FREN 1226 (see below). At the end of the program, students will be able to take the Diplôme d’Etudes en Langue Française (DELF).
French History and Culture until 1789
FREN 1226 (1 c.u.)
- Prerequisite: FREN 0400
A survey of French history and culture from the Gauls to the Enlightenment. This iteration of the course is enriched by the weekly excursions to historical sites connected to the various periods covered.
Students live with French families to experience full linguistic and cultural immersion. Housing is prearranged through a local coordinator, and all students are asked to complete a host family accommodation form to list any special dietary needs or allergies. Breakfast and dinner are provided by the family.
Tuition and fees are subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania and may change without notice. The tuition and fees below reflect rates for summer 2025.
- Tuition for summer 2025: $5,396/c.u. General fee: $466. Total: $11,258
- Program fee for summer 2025: $2,700
- Penn Summer Abroad deposits ($500) will be credited to students’ accounts when final program costs are posted
- Includes administrative costs, accommodations, all breakfasts and dinners, and excursions
- Program fee does not include airfare
Download: Estimated Cost Sheet for 2025 (PDF)
- Alliance Française of Philadelphia Scholarships:
- American Society of the French Academic Palms
Penn Summer Abroad disclaimer
The running of all 2025 Penn Summer Abroad programs is dependent on approval from the Committee on Travel Risk Assessment (CTRA). Please be advised, CTRA approval may also be rescinded at any time prior to the running of the program. Programs may also be canceled independently of the CTRA process. Any of these scenarios would result in your summer 2025 Penn Summer Abroad Program not moving forward. All PSA students are strongly encouraged to consider the consequences if their summer 2025 program is canceled for any reason. Cancellations carry financial risks as well as academic risks, including the potential impact on academic progress.
Contact information
For details about the program, courses, or location including academic advising, travel dates, housing, and orientation:
Program Director
Mélanie Péron
University of Pennsylvania
Tel: (215) 898-7428
mperon@sas.upenn.edu
For assistance with application, financial questions, pre-departure, or other general information:
Penn Summer Abroad Office
College of Liberal and Professional Studies
University of Pennsylvania
Fisher-Bennett Hall, Room 101
3340 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA, 19104-3335
Tel: (215) 573-7016
summerabroad@sas.upenn.edu
*Academic credit is defined by the University of Pennsylvania as a course unit (c.u.). A course unit (c.u.) is a general measure of academic work over a period of time, typically a term (semester or summer). A c.u. (or a fraction of a c.u.) represents different types of academic work across different types of academic programs and is the basic unit of progress toward a degree. One c.u. is usually converted to a four-semester-hour course.
