France Customized Total Immersion

Designed for both high school and college students

This program follows the same format as our highly successful True Immersion Week for our group programs, but takes it one step further. Like our True Immersion Week, there are no classes and no group activities. You will live with a family, speaking entirely in French, but your total immersion experience will last for a longer period of time than a week – at least two weeks, often up to four. You choose your dates of travel and length of stay. Your carefully selected French host family is committed to involving and including you in their daily lives. Experiential learning in its truest form!

• Program Location: Gap, Haute – Alpes
• Student Age: 16—21 years
• Language Prerequisite: Three years of high school French by June 2012
• 2012 Program Dates: Between July 1 & August 15
• Program Price: $955 per week (not including airfare)
• For complete pricing details, see our Customized Total Immersion Program Fees

Gap—a perfect French Immersion town

Our students love Gap. It’s a beautiful and safe Alpine town, and there is a lot to do, particularly if you love the outdoors. There are opportunities to hike, swim in fantastic lakes, and to go horseback riding. But most importantly, the families are incredibly friendly and family-oriented. This is reported back to us time and again. Also, English is not widely spoken. The teen in your family will be learning English but many host parents do not speak English. Gap is a popular tourist destination but mainly for French vacationers – so, there is plenty of opportunity for you to speak nothing but French during your whole stay. All in all an ideal town for an Immersion experience.

Your France Customized Total Immersion Experience at a Glance

• Your adventure starts when you meet your Host Family Coordinator at the airport and are introduced to your host family
• You will spend the next two to three weeks (or longer) getting to know your family and immersing yourself in French family life
• No group activities and no contact with any other US students – the perfect opportunity to improve your fluency in French
• Regular check-ins with your Host Family Coordinator ensure sure you remain comfortable and happy throughout your stay
• Through your host family, get to know the town of Gap and its local people
• We can customize your program by arranging for you to pursue a particular interest, such as taking horseback riding lessons or dance classes
• You have the option to join the touring portion of one of our French group programs either prior to or after your Immersion stay

Discover Gap on its official tourism site and see its exact location on Google Maps

How is my family chosen?
Our Host Family Coordinator in Gap, who has worked with ECI for over six years, receives your full application, which includes your letter to your prospective family, details about your hobbies and interests, and any allergies or dietary requirements you may have. She will then match you with a family most suited to you.

What happens if I have a problem during the program?
Your Host Family Coordinator will be in regular contact with you. She will take you out at least once during your stay for a two-week program and at least twice for longer stays. She will also call you at the end of each week, but should you have a problem, she is available to take your calls at any time. She will work with you and the family to resolve any issues, and if a solution cannot be found, you will be moved to a new family.

How long can I stay?
Most students usually stay with a family for three weeks. The minimum stay is two weeks, but we also have students who stay for four weeks and longer. If you stay for a longer period of time we may have to place you in two families, but this is usually not an issue – our outgoing Customized Immersion students often relish the opportunity to get to know two host families!

How will I spend a typical day?
Living the life of a typically French teenager in Gap. This means that sometimes your family may offer to take you on local excursions or sightseeing in Gap and the surrounding region, but more often than not, you will be living the daily life of the family, enjoying mealtimes, going shopping with your host parents, going to the beach, participating in family parties, or simply relaxing and enjoying getting to know your family.

Will there be a teenager in the family?
There will most likely be a teenager of a similar age in your host family, but this is not always the case. Keep in mind that your experience is also about connecting with every member of your family – the parents, younger children and even grandparents. This will help you to gain the most from your immersion program. You will also get to know other local teens through your host family brother or sister.

Please feel free to call, email or chat live if you have a question. Alternatively, check out all our FAQs

Total Immersion in French language and culture

To take part in a total immersion program is a challenging experience. It’s not for everyone, and it’s not always easy. It takes a certain kind of student to be able to travel to Europe independently, to adapt to a whole new culture, and to be able to thrive speaking only French for the entire duration of the experience.
Are you able to answer “yes” to these questions?

• Are you at least 16 years old?
• Have you completed a minimum of three years of French by June 2012? (Two years of middle school language is generally equivalent to one year of high school language)
• Are you motivated?
• Are you adventurous?
• Do you have an independent nature?
• Do you easily adapt to new surroundings?
• Are you flexible?
• Are you willing to try new foods and cultural experiences?
• Are you willing to speak only French during your stay in Gap?
• Are you outgoing and eager to learn as much about your family and their lives as possible?

If you are that certain type of student, this program will be an amazing, rewarding experience for you.

“My immersion family spoke French to me all of the time! My thoughts were in French, there is no better way to learn the language. Through total immersion I have gained a new family I cannot even explain how happy I am for that.”
Jessica O, France CTI 2010

“It was nice to “hang” with French teens and see life in a typical French town. The parents were friendly and I spent a lot of time talking with their teen daughter Marie. We often visited her friends, went on picnics, listened to music and rode bikes.”
Gabriela B, France CTI 2010

“I was impressed with the flexibility of the Customized Total Immersion as well as the special attention given to me and my son by Tracy Cone. She showed character, which in turn inspired trust in ECI’s ability to place my son in a nurturing environment. My son confirms his experience was “life-changing.” Thanks for all of your help.”
Stan W, Parent, France CTI 2010

“ECI did a fantastic job matching me up with a family. I absolutely loved them. They were always active and visiting people. There was absolutely no dull moment. It was exactly what I wanted. They all worked hard to keep me in their conversations and were very considerate in thinking of me.”
Tara P, France CTI 2010

• Ready to reserve your place? Then simply Apply Online via our secure form – a small deposit secures your place.
• Have a question or need additional information? Our team is happy to answer any question you may have—call us at 866.343.8990 or you can chat with us live
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• See more videos and photos from our trips on Youtube or on Flickr