Study Abroad Program in Angers
The French Program offers students at SMU the possibility of experiencing the language in an authentic setting: the Language Centre CIDEF in Angers, France. The CIDEF is part of l’Université Catholique de l’Ouest (UCO). Easily accessible, Angers is situated between Paris (1h30 by TGV) and the Atlantic Ocean (Nantes is one hour away by train or car). In the heart of the Loire Valley, a UNESCO world heritage site, Angers is a town of 160 000 residents. Angers is a young and dynamic city (48% of the inhabitants are under the age of 30; there are 33 000 students).
CIDEF School
For the past forty years, the French program at Saint Mary’s University has partnered with the CIDEF. Hundreds of students have taken advantage of a wonderful opportunity by taking summer courses, one-semester and/or full-year programs at this Language Center. Thanks to this long-term partnership, SMU students receive a 10% discount on tuition fees for courses taken at the CIDEF.
Students have the option to go for a full year, a semester or a month in the summer. Depending on your level, the CIDEF offers a variety of language and content courses which can be credited toward your program of study at Saint Mary’s University.
Students participating in the Study Abroad Program will have the opportunity to attend cultural events organized by the CIDEF.
CIDEF-Angers Prize
The CIDEF-Angers Prize recognizes the dedication of students registered in their program. Each year, one student is offered paid tuition at the CIDEF for either a whole semester or two months in the summer, or two students will receive a one-month prize. Deadline for application to the prize: March 1, 2025
If selected, the student will have to show proof of pre-registration at CIDEF (deposit and LOP signed) by March 31, 2025.
Fillable questionnaire to be candidate for the CIDEF-Angers Prize:
Please send the filled form to Sophie.beaule@smu.ca or jean-jacques.defert@smu.ca.
Visa Process
Insurance
Travel Advice and Registration
Giavonna Rossi's testimony (2024): https://youtu.be/v4ablde_BPc
Giavonna is a Saint Mary's University student and studied French at Le Centre International d'Études Françaises (also known as "CIDEF") of l'Université catholique de l'Ouest (UCO) in August 2024. This program is called the Angers Program, and SMU has been encouraging SMU students to study in this program since the 1980's whether to earn credits towards their French major/minor or to help improve their French and learn French culture regardless of their program. In this video, Giavonna shares her experience in the program and what it was like to study in Angers and explore the beautiful region. For information about the Angers Program, contact the Department of Languages and Cultures (McNally North 4th floor) or the Global Learning and Intercultural Support Office (Atrium106, Global@smu.ca).