France: The Crossroads of Faith, Culture, and History Skip to main content
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France: The Crossroads of Faith, Culture, and History

Dates: 12 September–5 December 2025 (approx.)
Application Deadline: 10 March 2025
Apply Now

From prehistoric cave paintings to the EU and everything in between, France has always occupied a central place at the crossroads of human civilization. On this study abroad, we will explore the rich cultural history of France and its neighbors, focusing especially on the intersections of religion, politics, and art in all its forms. Paris will be our classroom as we discover the marvels of medieval architecture—like newly restored Notre Dame Cathedral—and museums housing some of humanity’s greatest artistic achievements. Excursions outside of Paris will bring us to face to face with 25,000-year-old cave paintings before taking us to Christian pilgrimage sites in southern France, the D-Day beaches in Normandy, and Christmas markets in Alsace. An examination of France’s relationship to its neighbors will take us to Geneva, Switzerland, where we’ll trace the steps of the Protestant Reformation, and to Belgium, where we’ll tour Bruges (the Venice of the north), Ghent (home of the famous altarpiece), and Brussels (the EU capital). This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the unmatched beauty and historical splendor of France!

Click here to apply today!

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Contact Us

Christopher Flood
3134 JFSB
(801) 422-3220
cflood@byu.edu

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Program Flyer

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions
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More Information

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Courses

Students must take at least twelve credit hours while on this program.

Required:

*FREN 345/445—Paris Walks (3 credit hours)

One of the following French courses is required for each student:

FREN 201—2nd-Year French, Part 1 (4 credit hours)
FREN 202—Intro to French Lit. (3 credit hours; fulfills GE requirements)
FREN 340—French Lit. (3 credit hours; fulfills GE requirements)

Additional elective courses include:
FREN 211/311—French Conv. (2 credit hours)
*FREN 490R—Individual Study (3 credit hours)
FNART 270R—European Fine Arts (3 credit hours; fulfills GE requirements for arts)
REL 350R—LDS Church in a World Setting (2 credit hours; counts as a religion elective)
*FREN 452—Studies in Theme: Literary Paris (3 credit hours)
EUROP 336—The Social Sciences in a European Context (3 credit hours; fulfills GE requirements for GCA)

*Courses may be counted for French Studies major, secondary major, or minor credit.

Students may not take any other courses on this program, including BYU Online courses, without approval by the program director and ISP.
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Cost

$8,800–9,300

Includes Latter-day Saint undergraduate full tuition (increased cost for graduate and non–Latter-day Saint students), housing, some meals with the host family, public transportation in Paris, group transportation on field trips, and international health insurance.

Does not include airfare ($1,500–2,000), some meals in Paris, personal expenses, or passport.
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Funding Sources

Regular BYU tuition scholarships, Pell Grants, and Federal Insured Student Loans may be applied to study abroad programs.

Students who submit the financial aid section of the ISP application and who have a current FAFSA form on file at the Financial Aid Office (A-41 ASB) will be considered for a Study Abroad scholarship.

Academic departments and colleges may assist with scholarships and grants.

Private grants and scholarships outside of BYU may also assist (see kennedy.byu.edu/scholarships).
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Preparation

Students are required to take the following prerequisite courses prior to departure:

FREN 102 or equivalent

Accepted students are required to participate in an international, cross-cultural preparation course (IAS 201R, 1 credit hour).

Students must meet all country- and program-specific COVID and health requirements for travel.

International study programs are physically, emotionally, and mentally taxing and you must be in good health to participate. These programs often take place in international locations that do not have the same level of safety and services in terms of transportation, living conditions, residential accommodations, food, public behavior, and policing that you may be used to on campus. If you have further questions or concerns on this, please see our travel policy.
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Housing

Students will stay with host families in the Paris metro area.
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Travel

Students are responsible for purchasing their own airfare to and from the program sites. Airline reservations must be made through BYU Travel. Students should contact a BYU Travel agent.

BYU Travel
280 HRCB
(801) 422-6293
travel@byu.edu
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Application Process

Students must be 18 years of age or older to participate.

Complete the online application here. A nonrefundable $35 application fee is required; applicants will be interviewed once the application is complete.


Students will be notified via e-mail of their acceptance into the program. The first payment is due upon acceptance; please refer to the Payment Information page.

Application Deadline: 10 March 2025
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Program Adjustments

International Study Programs (ISP) reserves the right to cancel this program, revise its offerings, or make any adjustments to the preliminary cost.

If it becomes necessary for ISP to cancel a program, all program payments made to BYU ISP will be refunded to the student’s BYU Financial account.

ISP is the only office authorized to cancel any of its programs.
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Faculty

Christopher Flood is an associate professor of French literature and culture in the dept. of French and Italian. He specializes in the Middle Ages, Renaissance, and Reformation.

3134 JFSB
(801) 422-3220
cflood@byu.edu
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Contact Us

International Study Programs
101 HRCB
(801) 422-3686
isp@byu.edu
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ISP Student Handbook

To see the student handbook, click here.
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Payment Schedule

To see the payment schedule, click here.