Incoming CFANS students taste-test college life in Southern France

Slideshow 2026 Gopher Gateway Montpellier France

CFANS students with Dr. Hal DeLaRosby

Gopher Gateway: Global Experiences for First-Year Students

A visit to Ferme Alcas, a biodynamic farm, with fresh blue cheese tasting

Behind the scenes at a French bread bakery

Touring Domaine de l’Oulivie, an olive grove in France

Wine tasting at Château de Lascaux in France

Exploring a Montpellier food market

Before most students moved into their rooms on the Twin Cities campus, a cohort of incoming University of Minnesota first-year students launched their college careers with a trip across the pond. Through the Gopher Gateway: Global Experiences for First-Year Students program, these future Gophers traveled to Montpellier, France, in late August to experience their very first college course in the field.

Led by Dr. Hal DeLaRosby, CFANS Assistant Dean for Student Services and International Programs, the "Food Cultures of Southern France" track offered students an immersive look at how regional identity, agriculture, and history intersect with French food traditions.

Program highlights

• Exploring Montpellier: On day one, students took a walking tour through the bustling Place de la Comédie and navigated vibrant local food markets.
• Farm-to-table fieldwork: The itinerary took students behind the scenes of French food production, including a visit to an organic sheep farm, a tour of the famous Roquefort cheese caves, and an inside look at a local French bread bakery.
• Agricultural traditions: Cohort members toured an olive grove, explored sustainable apiculture at a Cévennes honey producer — enjoying a fresh lunch sourced directly from the garden — and learned about regional viticulture during a guided vineyard tour and tasting.

A head start on fall semester

By studying abroad prior to fall semester, these CFANS students earned academic credit, built close-knit peer connections, and gained a distinct head start on their college experience. The group returned to campus in time for Welcome Week and will continue to take their fall semester course together.

Future Gophers: Interested in starting your college journey abroad? Apply to the University of Minnesota Twin Cities to receive information about how you can participate in the Fall 2027 Gopher Gateway programs. Applications for the programs will open soon!