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Fall, Spring, Academic Year, Summer
Pau, France
Resident
- Good academic and disciplinary standing
- Minimum 2.5 GPA
Spring: 9/24
Fall: 2/24
Academic year: 2/24
Summer: 3/4
Click the Application tab.
Studying French
The program is administered by the University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC), of which the University of Iowa is a member. The USAC Resident Director and staff are present on-site full-time to welcome and support you during your term abroad.
Pau is a lovely small city in southwestern France set along the Pyrenees mountains. It offers the perfect environment for immersion intro traditional French culture and language. From Pau, there is easy access to the Pyrenees Mountains, the Atlantic Coast, and Spain.
The Pau program is ideal for students interested in intensive French language learning, and courses related to French and European studies.
USAC Highlights Tour: Pau, FranceStudents receive University of Iowa resident credit for the courses taken on this program.
The list of current courses can be found here: USAC Course Offerings
USAC’s Summer I, Summer II, and Summer I & II sessions take place during the University of Iowa’s summer session. UI students can enroll in either session or both sessions.
Students will enroll in 4 s.h.- 6 s.h. in Session I or 4 s.h. – 5 s.h. in Session II. At least one 3 s.h. course is required each summer session. Note: UI students need to take a minimum of 6 s.h. during the summer to be considered full-time students and to gain financial aid eligibility.
Unless UI Study Abroad has an approval on file for the courses you take abroad to be applied toward a specific major, minor, certificate, or general education requirement, you will receive general elective credit for your course. The course approval process will be discussed when you meet with your study abroad advisor.
City center, Pau, France
USAC students enjoy the privileges accorded to French students. You are encouraged to participate in local university activities, student clubs, and organizations as a natural way for you to meet French university students. These may include badminton, dance, golf, Basque pelota, tennis, swimming, yoga, handball, basketball, volleyball, rugby, gymnastics, weight lifting, hiking, rock climbing, canoeing, surfing, and spelunking.
Several community organizations in Pau offer courses in drawing, painting, cooking, music, and dance. Information concerning enrollment in these activities is available from the Resident Director on-site. The modest fees for these activities are the responsibility of the student. Other activities listed below.
Program dates vary from year to year, but typically follow the University of Iowa’s academic calendar.
This program is offered for a semester, academic year, or during the summer session.
Two month-long sessions are offered each summer. Students can choose to study during either one or both of the summer sessions.
You can find the specific dates for the upcoming sessions on the USAC website
Study Abroad
1111 University Capitol Centre
Iowa City, IA 52242
Phone: 319-335-0353
Email: study-abroad@uiowa.edu
The University of Pau is located in the northern part of the city and enrolls over 10,000 students. USAC participants have student privileges on campus, including access to numerous sports activities including yoga, judo, modern dance, tennis, mountain climbing, canoeing, and much more. It is a spacious campus with sports facilities, two large dining halls, and several residence halls. Three bus lines connect it to the city.
Pau, located in the southwest of France, is a town small enough that you can pretty much walk or bike everywhere and large enough to entertain exploring students and tourists with outdoor cafés, shopping, theaters, and its historic castle. The picturesque Old Quarter from medieval and Renaissance times reminds us that this was the birthplace of Henri IV. On campus, you can see the spectacular Pyrenees Mountains.
Pau is an ideal place for cultural immersion. It is a bustling provincial capital with little tourist presence, easy access throughout the city, and a multitude of attractions that go along with city living. Located at the foot of the Pyrenees, wilderness scenery and hiking are within easy reach. It also has access to the Atlantic coast; Spain is two hours away.For as long as the United States has existed, France has been considered a center of culture within the world and has had a significant impact from contributions to food, art, fashion, and sciences. The largest country in the European Union is also one of the greenest, with stunning natural views and iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Lourve and the Palace of Versailles. The French people are passionate about their country and their way of life. Explore a rich history by visiting classic churches, dive into French cuisine, and enjoy a glass of wine or latte at any of the wonderful French cafes.
The US Department of State provides safety and security information for every country of the world to help you assess for yourself the risks of travel. Each country information page contains a Travel Advisory, Alerts, and other important details specific to that country that could affect you.
Pay close attention to the entry and exit requirements, local laws and customs, health conditions, and other details to help decide whether traveling to any given country is right for you. Non-US citizen travelers may also wish to seek guidance from the embassy of their country of citizenship. The UI International Travel Policy for Students addresses restrictions on student travel to high-risk locations and engagement in high-risk activities abroad.
Housing options include boarding with French host families in the city or living in university residence halls next to campus. Once accepted to the program, students will receive more specific housing information.
Students have the option to live in a homestay or at the university residence halls.
Homestay families will provide an individual room, daily breakfast, and two dinners a week.
Residence halls are located next to the campus. Students can eat at the dining commons on campus or make their meals in their studio.
During the semester and academic year sessions, the housing fee is not included in the course fee. Students pay rent for their accommodations each month. You will need to have a plan and budget in place to withdraw the amount needed for monthly rent.
For summer programs, housing is included in the course fee.
If you do not have a passport, it is important that you apply for one as soon as possible to ensure you receive it before the program begins. US citizens can find more information about how to apply for a passport on the US Department of State’s website.
Important notice for students without a valid passport or whose passport will expire within the next 12 months:US citizens can find more information about how to renew a passport on the US Department of State’s website.
Students without a valid passport should apply for a new passport or a passport renewal as early as possible.
Students with a valid passport should check the expiration date. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months AFTER the anticipated return to the US from studying abroad. If your passport is not valid for at least 6 months after your anticipated date of return to the US, you must renew your passport before applying for the visa you will need to enter your host country.
Expedited processing service is available for US passports (although this still takes several weeks and is at an additional cost). UI Study Abroad encourages students to ask the passport agency at the time of application whether expedited service is recommended.
Students who are not US citizens should contact their consulate for more information if they need to get a new passport or renew their passport.
Students will work with their program provider to make travel arrangements to their program site. The cost of travel is not included in the course fee. UI Study Abroad will not arrange a group flight to your study abroad destination.
Do not purchase plane tickets until you have received instructions on how to do so from your program provider.
Within your host city and around the country, students will utilize public transportation such as buses and trains. Excursions and general travel require a lot of walking, so bring some comfortable shoes!
This program is open to University of Iowa students who fulfill the following requirements:
Most financial aid (scholarships, grants, and loans) is applicable to study abroad programs. Please check the Study Abroad website for information on financial aid and how it may be applied to studying abroad. You are also encouraged to speak with someone at the Office of Student Financial Aid to explore financial aid options. Scholarship opportunities exist for study abroad participants. Please explore Study Abroad’s websites for UI Study Abroad Scholarship Opportunities.
USAC has several scholarships and grants as well. You can find these on USAC Scholarships & Discounts website.
Students will need to complete a University of Iowa Study Abroad application and a USAC online application. Information on these applications will come from the study abroad advisor. Final program admissions decision is made by USAC.
Applications for the Fall and Academic Year are due on February 24.
Applications for the Spring session are due on September 24.
Applications for the Summer session are due on March 4.
In addition to submitting their Confirmation of Participation form, students should review the following:
Study Abroad ResourcesIowa Regents CISI Health Insurance Information
Students are also encouraged to complete the Health Preparation Guide for International Travel form with their medical practitioner. This document is intended to help you plan for your medical needs abroad. Please DO NOT turn this form in to UI Study Abroad.For more information about receiving financial aid while studying abroad, please review the following:UI Financial Aid Information
You can find more information about options for funding your study abroad experience including scholarships on Undergraduate Scholarships for Study Abroad.
In addition, take a look at USAC Scholarship website for information about scholarships offered directly through your program provider.
U.S. passport holders should follow the Visa batch process instructions provided by USAC. Make sure to submit all required documents by the submission deadline. Otherwise you will have to apply for your student visa independently.
The closest Consulate available to UI students is the Chicago consulate.
U.S. Citizens will need a student visa if they are going abroad for a semester, or academic year. Typically, they will not need a visa for the summer sessions.
Non-US Citizens- should refer to the Campus France Visa website for more information on French visa requirements.
UI Study Abroad will hold advising appointments and/or information sessions to provide details on the visa application process. UI Study Abroad staff can provide some assistance on the French visa application process, but ultimately the individual traveler (the student) is the person who is responsible for providing correct information on the visa application and securing the visa and all other required documentation prior to travel.
Prior to starting the visa application process check in with USAC for more information; they have a preferred timeline that students need to follow.
In order to prepare for your time abroad, you are required by the University of Iowa to complete two orientations. These may be in addition to orientations provided by your on-site provider. See below for more information.
You are required to complete the International Programs ICON course "Education Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation" prior to departure. This orientation is mandatory for all students going abroad under the auspices of the University of Iowa. It covers many practical matters about living overseas, such as health and safety, communication, money, goals, and much more. You will be enrolled in this course by International Programs and an email will be sent to you once enrolled. If you have any questions, you can email safety-abroad@uiowa.edu
This orientation will be facilitated by your study abroad advisor and will cover content specific to your program and host country. It could be conducted in a group setting or one-on-one depending on your type of planned activity abroad. Your study abroad advisor will send you more information about this mandatory in-person session.
USAC will provide you with a variety of pre-departure resources to prepare you for your study abroad experience. These will include a packing list, cultural information, housing instructions, etc. Ensure that you thoroughly review any information provided to you by USAC and refer back to it if you have any questions.
These materials may be periodically updated to reflect new program information prior to departure. Be sure to check your USAC Account often.
There are no photos available for this program yet. Do you have any photos to share with us? If you do, please contact us at:
1111 University Capitol Centre
The University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1802
USA
Phone: (319) 335-0353
Fax: (319) 335-0343
E-mail: study-abroad@uiowa.edu