The Cecil J. Picard Scholarship is offered by La Fondation Louisiane and the Franco-American Benevolent Society to attend a French immersion program at the International Center of French Studies (CIDEF) at the Université Catholique de l’Ouest (UCO) in Angers, France. This scholarship is for students aged 18 years or older to participate in a four-week program.
Program Description
Upon taking a placement test, the recipient will be enrolled in a French language class according to their level (between A1 and C1). The recipient will participate in a variety of cultural activities such as a cooking class, châteaux and museum visits, and a tour of a chocolate factory. Also, they will be able to sign up for excursions (i.e. Mont-Saint-Michel and Saint-Malo, châteaux in the Loire Valley, beaches in Normandy, etc.). Upon satisfactory completion of the 70 hours of coursework, the recipient will receive a French language and culture certificate indicating his/her level and hours of coursework.
What's Included in the Scholarship?
The scholarship will cover the registration fee, four weeks of French classes, educational materials, housing, meals, activities planned by CIDEF, and five excursions. The scholarship recipient will be able to choose to stay with a host family or at a privately owned student residence. Each housing option offers a different meal plan. After payment is made to CIDEF for the above-mentioned fees, any remaining scholarship funds should be used toward the purchase of the recipient’s plane ticket.
The scholarship recipient pays for the passport fee, travel insurance covering medical, repatriation and travel, round-trip plane ticket (portion not covered by the scholarship), and ground transportation in France.
Important Dates and Travel Information
- Monday, June 29, 2026 – Arrival in Angers
- Tuesday, June 30, 2026 – Placement test at 9 a.m.
- Wednesday, July 1, 2026 – Beginning of classes
- Friday, July 24, 2026 – End of classes; awarding of certificates
- Saturday, July 25, 2026 – Departure from Angers to return to Louisiana
The program organizers will be expecting you to arrive in Angers on Monday, June 29, 2026. Given the 7-hour time difference between Louisiana and France (France is 7 hours ahead of us), you should plan to depart Louisiana on Sunday, June 28, 2026. Upon completion of the program, you will be expected to depart the university to return home on Saturday, July 25, 2026.