Exchange Program
Explore the Many Benefits of an International Exchange
A term or two abroad can go a long way when learning another language. To find out about French exchange opportunities (in Belgium and France), please contact the Global Opportunities and International Students Services Office.
The Department of French’s Exchange Bursary
This bursary is for students in French who are interested in going on an exchange in France or Belgium. The bursary is worth between 500$ and 1 000$ and is to help cover some exchange related fees (flight costs for example).
Eligibility Criteria:
- You are currently registered in a BA, BA Honours or BA Combined Honours degree in French.
- You have submitted an exchange application to the Global Opportunities and International Students Services Office (GO-ISSO).
Your Request for the Bursary Must Include:
- An up-to-date audit
- A letter written in French explaining why you want to go on an exchange and what you hope to get out of it. The letter must also confirm that you have submitted an Exchange application to the GO-ISSO.
Deadline:
- Friday, January 30, 2026.
- File to be sent by email to the Chair of the Department of French: Émilie Urbain.
Additional Opportunities
Second Language Summer Program Explore
Explore is a five-week intensive language-immersion program, adapted to your level. You can take the course
in the spring or summer. View the Explore brochure.
Language Assistant Program Odyssey
Spend the spring or summer exploring life in a new Canadian city, immersed in a different culture with other young people, all while learning to speak French. Visit the Odyssey website.
Hannah Upward, 4th year BA Honours, French
My exchange to Belgium is something I’ll never forget. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that gave me unforgettable memories and a deeper understanding of both myself and my studies. Living in Brussels was both exciting and challenging, living in a new country and culture pushed me out of my comfort zone, but it was incredibly rewarding. As a French major, being surrounded by the language every day helped me improve my listening and speaking skills in ways that a classroom never could. Immersing myself in daily conversations, local events, and academic settings allowed me to understand the nuances of spoken French and appreciate the cultural context behind it. This experience not only strengthened my passion for languages and cultural exchange but also helped me realize my love for travelling and my desire to pursue a future that connects education, communication, and global understanding. I would recommend to anyone interested! (Exchange at Université libre de Bruxelles, Belgium)
Mackenzie Graden, 3rd year BA Honours, French
During my Exchange, I spent nine months in Grenoble, a city in the heart of the French Alps. To study in another country gave me the opportunity to improve my French, become more independent and to get out of my comfort zone. I met students who came from everywhere in the world and I even travelled in 18 countries in Europe and Africa. My year in France has given me the confidence I needed, not only with the French language but also everyday, to be able to pursue my studies and career in French in the future. Her adventures were documented on her blog.
Isabelle Laberge, 4th year BA Honours, French
To study abroad helped me appreciate the culture in my adoptive country and that of the country where I was born. One of my first realization as an exchange student was the difference between the French and the Canadian culture. Being in a new environment pushes you to constantly adapt and appreciate a new way of life: From discovering French gastronomy to getting used to the language…Moreover, this experience offers many advantages at the professional level. When one is exposed to such a unique experience, it gives a much broader perception of the culture. The learning takes place in the classroom but also during everyday life. To study abroad offers a learning experience on many levels. (Exchange at Université Rennes 2, France)
Rita Khavich, BA Honours, Journalism and French
My name is Rita and I had the opportunity to participate in the Exchange program. I chose to spend a full year in Belgium to help me feel more confident with my French abilities…it was a wonderful opportunity and one of the best experiences of my life! (Exchange at Université libre de Bruxelles, Belgium)