"Abbey Road in St-Laurent was one of the best experiences for me, both personally and in regards to my abilities in French. My vocabulary and ease of speaking increased dramatically ... My fellow students, along with our professors/counselors were all amazing people. The counselors always did their best to schedule fun and interesting activities, and there was never time to be bored. The day trips were also great, from Juan les Pins to Cannes, Nice to Antibes. I still keep in touch with my Abbey Road friends (and counselors), and many people from SLDV have traveled literally across the country to visit each other. In the end, you will really get out of Abbey Road what you put into it, and I believe this is true with any immersion program, French or otherwise. I had a wonderful experience, and my French professor was, needless to say, very, very impressed." Chris, student - Baton Rouge, LA
"My trip last summer was incredible for so many reasons. Abbey Road made it such a multi-dimensional program, so it really covered everything I was looking for. To start, the classes were interesting and engaging because we improved our language skills through discussion of prevalent issues and topics we were interested in. The teachers were dynamic and obviously highly intelligent, and by the end of the trip they were some of our close friends. Our learning experience transcended the classroom, though, on our trips to nearby towns and cities like Nice, Cannes, and Villefranche when we were really able to apply our improved language skills to the real world. Abbey Road provided us with so many opportunities to try things unique to French culture, like playing Petanques and learning to make crepes in a real creperie. I think what was truly special about Abbey Road's program was that it ensured we got to experience REAL France, off the beaten path to ensure that everything we were exposed to was authentic. Any travel program can show you France through a tourists eye … Abbey Road helped me see France the way a native would." Hannah, student - Briarcliff Manor, NY
St-Laurent-du-Var
FRANCE Advanced French Immersion & Homestay
Program Overview
Town:
St-Laurent-du-Var (French Riviera)
Dates:
July 2 – July 31, 2008
Travel Extension:
Paris (included)
Key Excursions:
Nice, Monaco, Cannes, Antibes
Focus:
Advanced French Language Immersion
Housing:
Family homestay
Level:
Grades 9 - 12 +4 years of French
Our advanced French program in St-Laurent is designed for students completing grades 9-12 who have at least 4 years of French and are interested in intensive French immersion.
Students will be hosted by French families who live in St-Laurent, just outside of Nice, France. The homestay element of the program will complete the circle of immersion, intensifying the cultural and linguistic adaptation of the students.
About St-Laurent-du-Var
Located just west of Nice, the beach-side village of St-Laurent-du-Var offers the best of both worlds: it is centrally located along the French Riviera, but remains off the beaten path of mass tourism. St-Laurent is an authentic French community with the distinct charm of a comfortable, relaxed town.
Because of St-Laurent's proximity to Nice, students will have several opportunities each week to visit this vibrant city and take advantage of everything the popular Riviera capital has to offer: the lively Promenade, world-class museums, numerous beach clubs, an attractive shopping district, and the exciting Old Town. St-Laurent is an ideal program for those students who are interested in advanced French language study and a rewarding homestay experience.
The French language classes are taught by Abbey Road faculty; the curriculum combines classroom instruction, experiential learning and daily practice. Students study with experienced teachers, in small group settings, and have opportunities for individual tutoring by Abbey Road staff. All of the Abbey Road faculty and staff are fluent in French and many are native speakers. They strongly encourage our students to speak French at all times. Nonetheless, the key to success in an advanced language study program is the student's own motivation and effort.
In the afternoons, three times a week, students will also be required to participate in French culture seminars covering a variety of topics.
Homestay
The language courses are complemented by daily interaction with the French host families. Students have most of their meals with their host families, attend family events, and join their host parents and siblings during day trips and other activities.
Typically, the students share a double room with another Abbey Road student or with a host sister or brother. Most families live within a 20-25 minute walk from downtown St-Laurent, in quiet residential neighborhoods.
Our families are carefully screened and regularly visited. We believe that a rewarding homestay experience is the foundation for a successful French language study program. Therefore, we make every effort to match the students with the right family, considering their preferences and needs, and to help them adjust as quickly and comfortably as possible. The success of the homestay component depends upon the student's desire to keep an open mind and adapt to a different way of life.
Daily Schedule
During the week, students will start a typical day with the French class. After lunch, all students and staff assemble for the daily group meeting. In the afternoons and evenings, students will have numerous options for recreational activities, such as café outings, movies, cultural excursions and workshops. Students will have most dinners with their host families and spend 3-4 nights a week participating in typical family activities.
In addition to planned activities with the Abbey Road group, students will have plenty of free time to pursue personal interests, make friends and explore the town. We strive to maintain a perfect balance between structured activities and free time. While we give our students this privilege, we expect them to adhere to the program rules and safety guidelines, especially the policies on alcohol and curfew, and to uphold our standards of responsibility, maturity, and respect.
Weekend Excursions
On Saturdays and Sundays, students go on day-trips to some of the most beautiful sites of the French Riviera: Monaco, Nice and its Old Town, Cannes, Antibes, the perched village of Eze and its famous perfume factory, and other sites.
Travel Extension: Paris
During the final week of the program, the group will travel to Paris for four days. The students will stay in a 3-star hotel located near most key sites and monuments. The itinerary will include visits to the museums of Louvre, Picasso, Rodin, and Centre Pompidou and to the cathedrals of Notre Dame and Sacré Coeur. Students will also have time to tour the River Seine and explore many Parisian neighborhoods.
Program Fee & What's Included
Our program fee is all-inclusive: it includes airfare from New York to the program site, all travel extensions, trips and excursions, tuition, lodging and insurance, and much more. There are no hidden fees, extra costs or surprises. We encourage you to compare our program fee to other programs and see what they include.
Now is the time to apply! There is currently availability on this program. Due to strong interest, however, we encourage serious students to apply soon.
If you would like to receive a brochure by mail, please complete the short online Preliminary Inquiry, and we will send one immediately.
If you are ready to apply now, click on the Online Application to get started.
For general questions about the application process, please visit our Application & Fees page.
If you have any special questions about the program or need assistance with the application process, please call us toll-free at (888) 462-2239 (from abroad (310) 276-1745) or email us at info@goabbeyroad.com.
