The program is kept small so that close, individual supervision can be provided by the program Director, a Swarthmore professor. Students receive full Swarthmore College credit for acceptable work completed in Grenoble. While in Grenoble, students live with French families and take their breakfasts and weekly evening meals in their home. Lunch and weekend meals can be purchased in the student restaurants. Group members are reimbursed at a set rate for these meals by the program.
Participants also receive a weekly entertainment allowance and a monthly bus and tramway pass.
Athletic and craft activities and essential books are also financed by the Program. The Director organizes special excursions and serves also as a banker, regularly distributing money. Students should have some money of their own for other personal needs and travel. Participants keep their rooms and receive their food allowance during vacations. There are frequent buses and tramways to the campus from the center of Grenoble.