The IUHPFL is an academically focused study abroad program for dedicated high school students who are in their third year or higher of their foreign language. It is a total immersion program; linguistic immersion is achieved by means of the Language Commitment in which students commit to speak only the foreign language during their time abroad, while cultural immersion is achieved by means of living with a host family, engaging daily in the host culture, and participating in excursions to regional sites.

The IUHPFL is a unique study abroad program. It is not for the faint of heart, rather for the student who wishes to challenge himself or herself on all levels: academically, personally, socially, emotionally and physically. To find out if the IUHPFL is the right program for you, take our Self-Inventory and continue to read about the Program’s unique structure and focus below.

The IUHPFL has eight Program sites in France, Germany, Mexico and Spain. Approximately 25-35 students are selected for each of the Programs, which last six and a half to seven weeks over the months of June and July.

The IUHPFL has three main components that set it apart from other high school study abroad programs: its academic focus, its Honor Code, which includes the Language Commitment, and the host family experience.