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Toulouse in the winter

Current students in their own words:

"Going on the Toulouse study abroad was my favorite Dartmouth Experience! Everything from the food to the culture was truly incredible! But what truly made my experience unforgettable were the friendships I made with the other Dartmouth Students. Everyone was curious and excited to explore the South of France so every weekend we were taking the train to a new city, whether it was Bordeaux or Carcassonne, everyone was always ready to see what France had to offer. The Toulouse study abroad program made me see the world in a whole new light and made me want to study abroad again in Paris next winter!"

- LSA+ Winter 2025 | Isis Ginyard | '27 | French Major

"I decided to participate in the French LSA + in Toulouse for two main reasons: to be able to speak another language, and to develop an understanding of the experience of living in a country outside the United States. Both of my goals were unquestionably met on my trip. I had taken French classes in high school, and took French 2 and 3 at Dartmouth before departing for Toulouse, and while these classes provided me with an in-depth understanding of French grammar and history, I had very little speaking practice, and thus an underdeveloped ability to speak in French. In Toulouse, this all changed. Every day, I would communicate with my hosts, my classmates and professors, and locals only in French. This is the most important aspect of any language study abroad: immersion. If I could add up all the time I had ever spoken French in my life before this trip, it would probably equal the amount of French I spoke in Toulouse after just 1 week. Because of this, after just one or two weeks, I was already noticing that it had become much easier for me to speak in French. And by week 8, I was feeling like I could speak to anyone about anything without any problems. One of the most validating moments of my entire experience was on my last day in France. I had just said goodbye to my hosts, and had to make a quick stop at la poste to see what would happen to a package I had ordered if I was no longer in France to pick it up. I went up to the counter and quickly explained my problem, beginning a 15 minute conversation with multiple employees to see if they could locate my package and figure out what would happen to it if I could not pick it up. Finally, they found both the location of my package and an answer: fortunately for me, the package would just be returned to the sender, and I would be able to get a refund. I left the building feeling like a million euros. I was able to have an in-depth conversation entirely in French with local Toulousains about a complex subject, and I hardly had even thought about it at all.This is the power of a trip like the French LSA+. Leveraging my grammatical knowledge it exposed me constantly to spoken French, requiring me to think and speak in French just as often. While I could hardly say more than my name and the weather when the term started, by the end of the trip, I had the vocabulary and experience to talk about essentially anything I wanted."

- LSA+ Winter 2025 | Xavier Laack | '27 | Environmental Studies Major, Public Policy Minor

Advanced Language Study Abroad (LSA+) in Toulouse

Contact Professor Lucas Hollister with questions about the Winter 2026 program.

Contact Professor Marie Larose with questions about the Winter 2027 program. 

PREREQUISITES

French 3 with a grade of B or better or exemption from French 3. NOTE: All of the courses in the LSA+ and all of the FSP courses count toward the major or minor.

Dist: Lit; WCult: W

Students who complete the LSA+ in Toulouse receive three credits toward a French minor or major! After a term in France, you'll be halfway to fulfilling the six-course minor!

  • French 09.01: Exploring French Culture and Language:  With a special focus on the art and architecture of Toulouse and its region, this course gives students the linguistic and cultural tools to connect more deeply with their surroundings on the LSA+. The course has a broad historical range, from the medieval to the modern period, and provides historical context for understanding artistic, political, religious and economic developments in France. Counts toward the French minor or major.
  • French 10: Introduction to French Literature:  Deals in major figures, themes, and issues of French literature in multiple eras. Training and practice in the techniques of discussion and debate, critical reading and writing, oral presentation and interpretation allow students to progress quickly and approach these topics with confidence. Counts toward the French minor or major.
  • French 12:  Advanced Writing and Speaking in French:  Students will implement their existing knowledge of French while delving into important points of grammar, acquiring substantial new vocabulary, and producing increasingly accurate oral and written work. Among the themes treated will be cultural heritage, tradition, and innovation around the language of music, the arts, and cuisine.  Counts toward the French minor or major.