"I have been taking French since I was in 6th grade, but I’ve never felt confident in my speaking abilities. I had been to France with my family one time before, and I was so nervous, I didn’t even try speaking french while I was there. I chose Toulouse because I wanted the immersion experience. I wanted to push myself to use the basis my middle and high school french classes provided for me and increase my proficiency. I knew when I was applying to colleges that studying abroad was a priority. One of the things I loved about Dartmouth is how program-specific the study abroads are. You go with a cohort of Dartmouth students and a professor, so all of your credits are maintained very easily. However, Toulouse changed my undergrad experience because I never guessed that I would choose to study abroad again! I loved the program so much, I changed my D-plan in order to go abroad again and complete the Paris program next winter. I loved participating in cross-cultural education so much that I’ve been inspired to take classes on that subject. I might even try to teach internationally post-grad. I loved my Toulouse cohort! I came back to campus this spring with a whole new group of friends that I don't think I would've met on campus. We frequently reunite to talk about our experience in Toulouse but mainly just to hang out. I created so many friendships I can see lasting for the rest of my Dartmouth experience and beyond. During both our first and last weeks of the program, all of the students, professors, and hosts were invited to a cocktail party to connect and celebrate the beginning/end of our stay. The last one was definitely a highlight because it was so amazing to see how close we all had become to our host families. As an assignment for our grammar class, we all wrote poems about Toulouse that we read for our hosts at this event. Many of the hosts shed a tear, so proud of how far our French abilities had become. The idea of speaking French in front of a native French speaker once felt like an impossible task, but I felt so loved and supported reading my poem that night. I cannot express enough how much I loved my hosts. They made Toulouse feel like home (and their cooking was amazing!). I was a little hesitant about doing the Toulouse program because i didn’t know much about Toulouse as a city. I would tell anyone having these same thoughts that Toulouse is an awesome place to live! The food is incredible. There are so many cool thrift stores and museums and churches. It’ such a walkable city, and the airport is super accessible. The best part about Toulouse is the people! The locals are so incredibly kind. It’s a university city, so they love engaging with students, and are happy to speak French with you even though you’re still learning." 

LSA+ Winter 2026 | Sophie Bruno | '28 | Neuroscience Major & French Minor.

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

Contact Professor Andrea Tarnowski with questions about the Winter 2028 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 6: French Texts and Contexts: An introduction to French literature, culture, and media across time that provides students with the tools to read and analyze texts critically. Through a selection of literary works, films, and other cultural artifacts, this course examines how ideas, genres, and narratives develop and intersect. Topics and materials vary based on the instructor's focus, allowing for an engaging and dynamic exploration of francophone literary and cultural landscapes. Counts toward the French major or minor.
• 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.