Founded in 1994 by Professor Emerita of French Colette Winn, the WashU Healthcare in France program offers students a one-of-a-kind opportunity to immerse themselves in the French healthcare system while enhancing their French language skills and deepening their cultural understanding. Situated in the beautiful city of Nice along France’s Mediterranean coast, this five-week program blends practical experience in French hospitals with a rich academic exploration of health, wellness, and human well-being.
During the program, students spend their mornings at the CHU de Nice – Hôpital Pasteur, where they shadow doctors in fields aligned with their academic and professional interests. This observational internship (“stage d’observation”) provides a unique window into the daily workings of French healthcare, allowing students to witness patient care, treatment procedures, and hospital operations firsthand. With over three decades of partnership between Washington University’s Department of Romance Languages & Literatures and the CHU de Nice – Hôpital Pasteur, students benefit from a high-quality, meaningful internship experience.
In the afternoons, students participate in a site-specific culture course, “The Art of Health in Nice,” designed to complement their internship experience. This course examines the cultural and historical dimensions of health and well-being in Nice and the South of France. Students engage with the region’s rich cultural heritage through the lens of health, exploring the intersection of visual arts, literature, cuisine, horticulture, athletics, and therapeutic practices. The program is further enriched by guest lectures from health professionals and scholars, as well as academic excursions to local gardens, markets, museums, and historic villas. Through these immersive experiences, students gain a holistic understanding of wellness in the vibrant cultural context of the French Riviera.
In 2024, the program received a $35,000 grant from IES Abroad, enhancing its capacity to provide transformative educational experiences for aspiring healthcare professionals.
According to the World Health Organization’s first ever assessment of the world’s health systems, the French system ranked number one in best overall healthcare among the 191 member countries surveyed, and the Faculté de Médecine – Université Côte d’Azur in Nice stands among the highest-ranked medical schools in France.
