Planning a trip to France, or to Europe? Curious about France and would like to know more about the country and its culture?
Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s Jean-Louis Dassier (IUP Department of Language, Literature, and Writing) and Jeffrey Santicola (IUP Department of Hospitality and Employment Relations) want to help people to be travel-ready and learn more about France and its culture.
On April 17, the Allenwood at IUP, located on the ground floor of Ackerman Hall, will host Passport to France, a one-day immersive travel-readiness workshop, a practical, hands-on session focused on essential travel preparation, including documents, money, transportation, health, culture, and emergency planning.
The workshop runs from 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. and is designed to be both immersive and interactive, allowing participants to “experience France before you go, from language and culture to food and everyday travel situations,” Dassier said.
Participants will come away with a “linguistic toolbox” to help with situations they are likely to face while traveling, as well as cultural tools they need to enjoy themselves while traveling, Dassier said. “I also anticipate some special guests that will enrich the experience for workshop participants,” he said.
Activities planned for the workshop include:
- Practicing simple French phrases for real-life situations
- Learning cultural do’s and don’ts (so you don’t feel awkward abroad)
- Navigating transportation, money, and safety basics
- Building your own travel portfolio to take home
- Developing trip logistics and safety points, including a customized logistics checklist and emergency template for the trip
- Meeting others planning trips to France
Participants will also have a chance to enjoy French food and dining culture, as the workshop includes a French-inspired “petit-déjeuner” (breakfast) of café, thé, jus d’orange, water, croissants, pains au chocolat, madeleines, quiche Lorraine, and quiche végétarienne; and a “déjeuner” (lunch) of café, French sodas, water, soupe à l’oignon, poireaux à la vinaigrette, croûtons et noisettes, sandwich parisien or sandwich caprese, and an assortment of macarons.
As participants complete a personalized travel portfolio, they will gain practical travel confidence and “a clearer picture of whether France is right for you,” Dassier said.
Persons completing the workshop also will receive a digital badge.
The workshop is designed for first-time international travelers, students considering study abroad, families interested in travel, or anyone curious about French culture. No French language skills are required, and it is open to both adults and children ages 12–18. The fee is $150 per person or first family representative; additional family members under the age of 18 can attend for $100. Registration closes April 10 and can be done on the IUP website.
“France is the number one destination for travelers in the world for a reason; all ages and interests will find something they enjoy in France,” he said. “Nothing in the workshop content will be outdated, so even if you don’t have immediate travel plans, this workshop will be useful—and enjoyable,” he said.
Dassier got the idea for the workshop following IUP’s “Shaping IUP’s Future Together: Ideas to Action,” an IUP employee meeting. One of the day’s workshops included a discussion about non-credit credentials and workshops.
“Our departments haven’t had a chance to collaborate before, but it’s something that I’ve always wanted to do, and certainly fits in the call for noncredit credentials and workshops and reaching new categories of learners for IUP,” Dassier said. “It’s also an important opportunity to bring the community to IUP for a unique experience.”
Since its founding in 1875, IUP has evolved from a teacher-training institution into a doctoral research university recognized for its commitment to student success and achievement. As IUP celebrates its 150th anniversary during the 2025–26 academic year and through the Impact 150 comprehensive campaign, the university honors a legacy of educational excellence while looking to its next 150 years of student success, innovation, leadership in healthcare education, and public service.