FRANCE
2025–26 ENROLLMENT INFORMATION
Congratulations on being selected to travel on the France: Language and Culture Immersion travel program! On this trip, you will travel to France to immerse yourself in French culture through travel in Paris and Marseille, and an 18-day homestay in Arles.
Make sure to keep checking this page for Updates
General Program Information:
- Program Dates: May 25 – June 18, 2026
- Trip Leaders: Brian Hunt and Avery Flynn
- Preliminary Itinerary: *This itinerary is subject to change
The students will begin their program in Marseille before traveling to Arles, where they will engage in an orientation that introduces them to the city, the program structure, and important safety practices. Over the course of their stay, the students will participate in 17 hours of French language instruction with Arles à la Carte teachers, adapted to their proficiency level and conducted both in and outside the classroom. They will also take part in daily “language lunches” at local restaurants, continuing to practice French in an authentic context with their instructors. Living with Arlesian host families, the students will share meals and daily routines, allowing them to experience French culture and community life firsthand.
In the afternoons, the students will explore Arles through 15 hours of guided visits to monuments, markets, museums, and art foundations, conducted entirely in French. The program also includes three full-day excursions: to Avignon and the Palais des Papes, to the Alpilles foothills with visits to Les Baux-de-Provence and the Abbaye de Montmajour, and to the Camargue villages and beaches. At the conclusion of the Arles stay, the students will participate in a farewell reception with their host families before continuing to Paris for four days. By the end of the program, the students will have strengthened their language skills, expanded their cultural understanding, and gained meaningful insight into French history, art, and daily life.
Program Notes:
- Program Meeting Point: On May 25, 2026, Students and Program leaders will meet at the Deerfield Campus to travel by coach bus to Logan International Airport in Boston, MA. They will fly together to Marseille, arriving on May 26, 2026.
- Cell Phone Policy: As part of Deerfield’s commitment to face-to-face interactions, during certain times of the trip, students will be “unplugged” without access to cell phone
- Other Important Information about the program: During this program students will be staying in a homestay as their primary accommodation. Students will be placed one student per homestay.
Documents & Forms:
All forms will come in a DocuSign email.
Health & Safety:
Please review the following Health and Safety information.
- Travel Health & Risk Advisory
We encourage families to review the latest travel guidance for France:
2. Travel Medicine Advisory Letter
A letter from Dr. Bryant Benson provides important guidance on health preparations for travel. View Letter
3. Travel Insurance
All students are covered by Deerfield Academy’s International SOS travel insurance policy while on the program.
- CLICK HERE for general information about International SOS Travel Insurance and the service they offer
- CLICK HERE for information on how to get in touch with them pre-travel
- CLICK HERE for the International Travel Insurance Program Summary of Benefits
- Deerfield Academy also encourages Students and Parents to consider purchasing additional “cancel for any reason” insurance as available.
Visa Information:
Students and parents are directly responsible for the student’s immigration status and/or visa application process to comply with local laws for participation in this program. Deerfield Academy and the CSGC office are here to assist and can provide specific supplemental documentation as required for the application.
According to the US Department of State, visas are not required for US citizens to enter the France for a stay of less than 90 days. Students who are not traveling with U.S. passport please research entry requirements based on your country of citizenship and for obtaining a visa, if necessary.
PACKING LIST
Group Flight Information:
May 25
Delta 0224
BOS 7:00pm – Paris 8:10am
Delta 8399
Paris 9:45am – Marseille 11:15am
June 18
Delta 0225
Paris 11:45am – BOS 1:37pm
Pre and Post Trip Plans and Travel:
Moving out of campus and departing for the CSGC trips is always a team effort, and for this to be a smooth and successful departure process, we are reaching out to families and students with reminders on how to “finish strong” and go on the summer travel programs without leaving behind more work for others!
- Families and students must pack as much as they can during the weekend of May 23 and 24.
- Students must “check-out” with the dorm resident on duty that day before departing on their CSGC trip.
On May 25, 2026, Students and Program leaders will meet at the Deerfield Campus to travel by coach bus to Logan International Airport in Boston, MA. They will fly together to Marseille, arriving on May 26, 2026. Students and Program Leaders will be based out of Arles, France where they will engage in home stays, study French, and take excursions to local landmarks.
Please note that this trip ends on June 18 in Boston Logan International Airport.
Families should plan to meet their students at the airport or arrange for them to be transported to nearby family or friends for the remainder of the Summer break. Please discuss with your family your post-trip plans, and fill out this form before March 1st, 2026.
Payment Information:
All payment information, including non-refundable deposit amount, comes via email through a DocuSign envelope.
The remaining balance of the program fee will be billed to your student account on December 12, 2025 and due in full by January 1, 2026.
Please contact the Finance Office at [email protected] with any questions or the Center for Service and Global Citizenship via email [email protected] or phone: 413-774-1435.
This page contains enrollment information for students who have been selected for one of our 2026 trips. If you are interested in other Global Studies programs or future travel opportunities, please contact The Center for Service and Global Citizenship.