Hillsdale College Students Study Abroad at the Institut de Touraine in France
Students spent a semester or summer experiencing French language and culture.
HILLSDALE, Mich. — Five Hillsdale College students studied at the Institut de Touraine in Tours, France, this spring or summer, taking classes in French and exploring French culture.
“Hillsdale’s study abroad program allows students to experience complete immersion in the French language, one of the most memorable and effective ways to achieve fluency,” said Sherri Rose, chairwoman of French and director of French study abroad programs. “Students studying abroad also experience the unique culture of France, as well as meeting students from many other countries who come to study at the Institut de Touraine.”
“Getting to live with a host family and spending extensive time immersing myself within the language is an opportunity I will always be grateful for.”
Students stay with French host families and have the opportunity to explore the area, including the castles of the Loire Valley, Mont Saint-Michel, Saint-Malo, and Paris.
“My experience in Tours was invaluable,” said Mary Hannah Runge ’27. “Not only was I able to improve my French language skills both by practicing out on the street and with great instruction at the Institut, but I also gained a much deeper appreciation for French culture. Getting to live with a host family and spending extensive time immersing myself within the language is an opportunity I will always be grateful for.”
At the Institut, students attend classes for 21 hours a week, and their coursework transfers back as French credit. Classes are small and taught in French by instructors who specialize in teaching French as a second language.
“Our students are immersed into the everyday life of the city and its inhabitants,” said Anna Navrotskaya, associate professor of French, who directed the program this summer. “They study at the Institut de Touraine, one of the best French-teaching institutions in France, and then apply everything they learn in class in their first-hand life experience.”
“Our students are immersed into the everyday life of the city and its inhabitants.”
Students’ time in France includes a three-day stay in Paris, where they visit museums, theatres, restaurants, historical landmarks, and more.
“Sharing our love for Paris is inspiring for both students and teachers,” Navrotskaya said. “Every year, this weekend is unique: it depends on the interests of the students and on what exhibits and shows take place at the time. This flexibility allows us to see the famous ‘must-dos’ like Louvre and Orsay but also to discover hidden treasures and new creations.”
Students can study abroad at the Institut de Touraine over a summer or a semester. Scholarship opportunities are available through the Cécile Frazier Smith and Lilian Libby Rick scholarships.
French majors also have the opportunity to join the Pi Delta Phi French honorary, work as departmental tutors, and participate in workshops with artists and researchers from France. Pi Delta Phi hosts film nights on campus as well as excursions to museum exhibits, restaurants, and operas.
For photos of students in France, click here. For photos from a French class at Hillsdale, click here. For photos of Hillsdale College, click here. For a high-resolution copy of the Hillsdale College clocktower logo, click here.
DATE: Aug. 27, 2026