IES-Nantes: Summer Internship

Program Details

Program Location	Nantes, France
Sponsor	IES
Program Type	Co-sponsored
Course #	SA 33016
Duration	Summer
Upcoming Program Dates
To Be Announced
Past Dates
Summer 2026	05/18/26 to 07/10/26

Page Links
Overview	Purdue Credit
Eligibility	Academics
Housing	Program Costs
Financial Aid	Deadline
Returnee Info	Resources

Click here to apply for this program!

Please Note: Programs may be altered or adapted with little notice

Overview

Situated along the Loire River as France’s sixth largest city, Nantes has all the amenities of a metropolis—world-class museums, public transportation to commute to your internship, breathtaking cathedrals, and a château (this is France, after all). In addition to interning you’ll participate in an internship seminar, and field trips and cultural events to show you the best of Nantes.

Want to know what’s it’s really like to live in France? Come to Nantes!

Nantes just might be the perfect place to improve your French language skills. That’s because it’s not a tourist destination, so English is rarely spoken. But Nantes is a spectacularly beautiful city on the Loire River, featuring gorgeous architecture, charming attractions, and beautiful outdoor spaces. Nantes is also home to some of the most delicious food France has to offer. It’s also very manageable, eco-friendly, and great to bike around in. Explore all that this city has to offer as you immerse yourself in French language, culture, academics, and innovation!

For more program information, please visit the program website. This program is sponsored by:IES.

Eligibility

The program is open to Purdue students in the following areas:

College of Liberal Arts (all majors)

Students must be in good standing and have completed at least four semesters of university study and reached junior standing by the start of the program.

Students who have switched majors need to have taken some classes from the new major to qualify for participation. Degree-in-3-students should contact the Study Abroad Office about eligibility.

Successful candidates will demonstrate academic success, maturity, and a desire to experience another culture.

GPA Requirement: 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
Language Requirement: none

Purdue Credit

Direct Credit available from the following: [College of Liberal Arts]

What does this mean? Click here to learn more.

Students interested in completing courses while abroad from Purdue colleges or departments that are not listed above should discuss this with their study abroad advisor before applying to the program.

Academic Program

All participants will intern approx. 30 hours per week as well as take either:

Internship Seminar on Global Workplace Culture (6 credits); or
Internship Seminar on Global Workplace Culture (3 credits) and French (3 credits)

The Internship Seminar provides interns with a framework to analyze, reflect on, and leverage their international internship experiences. Discussion topics will focus on preparing interns for entering an international work environment with an emphasis on skill-building in critical thinking, teamwork, cultural intelligence, cross-cultural communication, and career planning. The seminar will introduce students to concepts and valuable context for navigating the general characteristics of workplaces in the host location and for adapting to their placement organization’s workplace culture. Interns will also learn to identify and situate their host
organization and location in relation to evolving economic, political, and social issues.

NOTE TO STUDY ABROAD LIAISONS: Interns will work 176-240 hours while taking the 6-credit Internship Seminar, consisting of 44 contact hours, or the 3-credit Internship Seminar, consisting of 22 contact hours, along with a 3-credit French class. Therefore, Programs for Study Abroad recommends students receive six credits for this summer internship program, either as one 6-credit class or two 3-credit classes.

Excursions

Even though your adventure starts in Nantes, IES field trips take you beyond the city to discover the culture and traditions of your host country. Destinations are subject to change, but may include Vannes, Gulf of Morbihan, Tours, and visits to Loire Valley Castles.

Housing

Live in a private room with a local family in a homestay. Many host families have been welcoming IES Abroad students into their homes for years. Only one IES Abroad student is housed with each family. You receive breakfast daily and five evening meals per week.

Estimated Program Costs

Students pursuing program participation accept financial responsibility. Purdue will take measures to mitigate financial risks, although will not be liable for loss.

Students should carefully note what costs need to be paid to Purdue University or to a co-sponsor or agency, and what costs need to be paid at the overseas study location. This will vary by program.

The Program and Housing fees include: tuition for 6 credits, housing, internship placement and oversight, excursions, on-site orientation, and some meals (homestay only).

Costs for this program are estimated and subject to change. The cost figures listed below are for: Summer 2026

Costs per term to be billed by Purdue and Co-sponsor
Program Fee	$4,756.00
Study Abroad Fee	$609.40
Housing	$2,039.00
Insurance	$200.00

Approximate additional costs per term
To be paid by the student.
Round-trip Airfare	$1,000.00
Local Transportation	$200.00
Meals	$400.00
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses	$0.00 - $600.00
Travel Documents (passport, photos)	$175.00

Financial Aid

Purdue University financial aid may be applied to the costs of studying abroad. Students interested in receiving financial aid should

direct financial aid inquiries to the Division of Financial Aid on the West Lafayette campus;
consult website Study Abroad Financial Aid Process ;
complete and submit the FAFSA by the appropriate deadline.

NOTE: Recipients of certain tuition remission and scholarship programs should pay careful attention to the regulations for using those benefits for study abroad. Ask your financial aid advisor about any limitations.

Click here for a list of scholarships and grants available to assist with the costs of studying overseas.

Application Deadlines

For full consideration, students must submit all supporting documents (typically an essay, 1-2 recommendations, and copy of passport) before or by the application deadline. Popular programs fill quickly, often before the deadline. To ensure a place in a program, apply early.

As soon as a student submits an online application, a My Study Abroad account is created. Applicants should consult this page often to check on the status of the application.

Program Application Deadline
Summer Programs	Mar 1

Returnees Information

Click below to search for Purdue students who have participated in this program and are willing to be contacted. If you get no results, you can use the search form to find people who studied in the country you are interested in.

Resources

The websites listed below contain information about this program. The accuracy of information at external sites cannot be guaranteed.

Program Sponsor's Home Page: IES
Program Website
Search Google(tm)*
Department of State Consular Information
(You must find France in list)
CDC Travel Information (You must find France in list)

For more information on this program, please contact the Study Abroad Office by phone (765) 494-2383 or email studyabroad@purdue.edu.