The family experience constitutes a prime element of the academic program in France. To this end, the homes are carefully chosen. They provide a pleasant, supportive atmosphere for students. Usually, each program participant lives with a different French family which is host to only one student. The homes are selected to a large extent on the basis of the families' willingness to accept an American student as a part of their household, and family members participate in many of the group's activities. The homes are distributed throughout Rouen and the Mont-Saint-Aignan area. Students take breakfasts, dinners and weekend lunches in the home. For lunches Monday - Friday at the University and during the internship, students receive an allowance. Year-long students may stay with their families during the semester break.