Overview | Academics | Cost | Location | Life Abroad | Student Voices
The Institut de Langue et de Culture Francaises (ILCF), founded in 1948, is a department within the prestigious Institut Catholique de Paris. ILCF is located in the historical heart of Paris in the student neighborhood known as the "Quartier Latin".
In the heart of the Latin Quarter, on the Rue d'Assas, and close to other Parisian institutions of higher education, ILCF offers easy access to a thriving and exciting student neighborhood. Stroll through the Luxembourg Gardens or wind your way through the cobblestone-lined streets of the Latin Quarter to get a taste of Parisian life. Students can also experience the classical and aristocratic elegance of the Faubourg St. Germain. Other inviting promenades lead to the Esplanade des Invalides, the Champs de Mars, or the famous Musee d'Orsay. Take in the splendor of Gothic-style architecture and the beautiful multi-colored rose windows at Notre Dame Cathedral, a short metro ride away from ILCF.
ILCF welcomes more than 2500 students each year from more than seventy countries. The Institute employs around fifty highly qualified native French professors.
This program would be perfect for a student who wishes to improve their French skills in an international setting. The ILCF accommodates students of all levels of French from beginner to advanced. Students need to have completed first semester French before the start of the program.
Two four-week programs are offered in June and July. The courses offered include: general French language, French culture, and written and oral French workshops. Students will enroll in the 21 hour per week French language course.
Paris, a metropolitan area of approximately 10 million, offers limitless cultural and historic resources. Its buildings and monuments represent more than 2,000 years of history. Its museums, theaters, and libraries are among the finest in the world.
Getting to Your Program
Participants are responsible for arranging round-trip transportation to the program site.
Visa
U.S. passport holders are not required to obtain a visa for studies in France of less than 90 days. Participants must have a passport valid for six months after the end of the program.
Orientation
A required orientation session held before departure at UW-Madison helps students prepare for studying abroad. Topics covered include academic, financial, administrative, cultural, and site-specific issues.
Students can arrange for airport pick-up directly with ILCF. The International Relations Office is where foreign students can find practical information about life in Paris and is a meeting point for other international and French students.
Housing
Students participating in this program live with host families which provide an excellent way to absorb a new culture and language. All host families live in Paris and rooms are individual. Included in the homestay fees, the participant can choose to have breakfast and kitchen access provided or to have five meals provided weekly (half-board option). Housing is arranged by ILCF and family information is emailed to the student eight days before the program at the latest.
Excursions and Activities
ILCF offers many activities and amenities to their students, several of which are free. Students can choose to practice their French language skills in free conversation sessions hosted by native French speakers. Another, more innovative way to practice your French abilities is in the free multimedia laboratory. In this lab, the participant can work on their written or oral skills, their phonetics or on specific cultural topics all with a teacher near-by to answer any questions. The Students Office of BDE is a great place for new students to visit as they organize outings with other students that help participants discover Paris and the French culture. Other amenities include free internet and WiFi access, computer labs, Sailing and Theater Clubs and campus restaurants. Various cultural activities and excursions are organized by the program year-round.
Insurance
All participants in IAP programs are enrolled in health insurance through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) and the cost of the insurance is included in program fees.
Handbooks
Use the links below to find out more information on academics, daily life and student impressions for this program.
Paris ILCF Summer 2013 Handbook (Summer - 2012-13)
Paris ILCF Summer 2013 Handbook (Summer - 2012-13)
Paris ILCF Summer 2013 Handbook (Summer - 2012-13)
Returned Student Network
Click
here to see testimonials from students abroad or to contact a returned student.
