Department of French

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Study Abroad

Tours Charlemagne and Basilique Saint-Martin

Encounters with history in Tours: Tour Charlemagne (begun circa 1050) and Basilique Saint-Martin (1886-1902)
Sam and Shannon in Paris

A weekend in Paris


It’s time to explore the world again, up close and in person!

Immersing yourself in French studies in another country can change your world view. Not only do you gain valuable language skills, fluency and self-confidence, you become a voyager, a resident, a neighbour and a friend in a new environment.  By learning to adapt, you come to know yourself better, and to ask new questions about your place in the world.

"If you're like me, a little bit of external pressure goes a long way in motivating you to learn a language. This pressure doesn't have to be stressful - it can be extremely fun! Once we overcome the initial awkwardness of being placed in a new environment, we feel the desire to explore, make new friends, and express ourselves. To me, this is what makes studying abroad the best way to gain confidence and improve your language abilities." (Joseph Behl, Dalhousie exchange participant, 2019).

For anyone considering a career in a francophone, bilingual or multilingual environment, a period of true immersion – where you are speaking your second language in all elements of academic activity and daily life – is an invaluable asset.

Exchange program: Tours, France

The Department of French offers an exciting exchange program in Tours, France. Located in the heart of the Loire Valley, and just an hour from Paris by train, l'Université de Tours offers you the chance to take regular university courses alongside French students. Language support classes in oral and written French, as well as French culture, are also available from the Centre for Teaching French to International Students (CUEFEE).

In order to take advantage of this program, students should have a minimum of intermediate-level French skills, i.e., have completed FREN 1048, 1058, or 1045. Most participants will complete the program in their third year of studies. Students may participate for one term or a full year.

Complete information is available on our Tours program website.

Field School program: Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, France

The Department of French offers a three-week immersion field school program in Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, a unique and vibrant part of France that lies within Canada's territorial area.

This program is open to students with an intermediate level of French (FREN 1045/1050 or equivalent).

Complete information is available on our Saint-Pierre and Miquelon program website.

Other opportunities to learn French

The Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC) offers the following language immersion programs:

Nova Scotia French language assistant program

6 month part-time work funded by the Nova Scotia Department of Education. 

Teaching assistant program in France

Organized by the French Ministry of National Education, this program is available to Canadian students between 20 and 35 years of age. Positions as an English language assistant are offered in the K-12 public school system and public language schools in one of 30 different administrative regions of France and offers students a  unique first-hand experience as teachers. Your role will be to improve students' confidence in spoken English through interactive and recreational activities. Students will also expect you to introduct them to Canadian culture. Contracts run for the 7-month period of October 1 to April 30.

The program is open to graduate or undergraduate students who have completed at least two full years of college or university, and who posess a minimum level of proficiency in French (B1 level).

Visit the TAPIF website for further details. The application deadline for the 2018/19 program was February 18th.