About
Dickinson-in-France was created in Toulouse - nicknamed the “pink city” because of its famous brick buildings - in southwestern France in 1983 through the inspired vision of Sylvie G. Davidson from Dickinson College and Danielle Cabanis from the University of Toulouse. In 1984-1985, the first group of Dickinson students enrolled at the University of Toulouse.
Over the past 40 years, Dickinson has developed valued partnerships and exchanges with multiple Toulouse universities: Université de Toulouse 1 – Capitole, Université de Toulouse 2 – Jean Jaurès, Université de Toulouse 3 – Paul Sabatier, Sciences Po Toulouse, Institut Catholique de Toulouse. Students and scholars from those institutions have studied completed research or taught in Carlisle as exchange students, French department assistants, or visiting faculty.
A language and cultural immersion program since its conception, the Dickinson-in-France program continues to engage students and the Toulouse community outside the classroom via homestays, volunteer work and internships.
In 2015, the academic home for Dickinson-in-France moved from the rue du Japon to the fully-accessible Dickinson Center in the bustling Compans Caffarelli neighborhood in the city center.
40th Anniversary of the Dickinson-in-France Program in Toulouse
The 2024-25 academic year will mark the 40th anniversary of the creation of the program. To celebrate the program’s legacy and continuing impact, Dickinson will hold a series of events for alumni, partners and friends in Toulouse and on campus.
Toulouse Celebration
June 5, 2025
Registration is now open! The registration deadline is Monday, May 19.
Thursday, June 5
7:30 p.m.
Cocktail Reception
Restaurant Le Moaï in the Muséum de Toulouse
35 allées Jules Guesde, 31000 Toulouse
Join Melissa Sturm-Smith, Dickinson’s senior associate provost for integrated academic success, and Dickinson alumni for a 40th-anniversary celebration with representatives from partnering local universities, homestay hosts, Dickinson Center professors and internship/volunteer hosts.
Free
Register here!
More information about an evening event in the Toulouse city center is coming soon. We are looking forward to celebrating, reminiscing and recognizing the extraordinary history and partnerships of Dickinson-in-France. Contact alumni@dickinson.edu with questions or to volunteer for the event.
Hotels: Information about hotel blocks is coming soon! Click here to view a list of some popular hotels in Toulouse.
Show your Toulouse pride! The College Bookstore has a few Toulouse-specific items available for purchase!
Alumni Weekend 2026
Save the Date!
June 12–14, 2026
Alumni Weekend 2026 will include a celebration of global education at Dickinson. All Dickinson alumni who have studied abroad will have the opportunity to celebrate their experiences and Dickinson’s proud tradition of global engagement.
Photos
Do you have photos from your time studying in Toulouse? Please share them here!