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Semester Programs: France

Everywhere you look, you'll see mountains: the Chartreuse range sits to the north and to the west towers the Vercors range; the Belledonne range fills in the view to the east. The Drac and Isère rivers carve out a flat plain at the intersection of these ranges, creating just the place for the university town of Grenoble. In this setting, you'll thrive as you deepen your understanding of the French language and culture.

The semester in France program partners with the Centre Universitaire d'Etudes Françaises at the Université de Grenoble III, where you'll take courses in French language and culture. You'll also live with a local family and learn about the French way of life firsthand.

Availability

Two out of every three years. Offered Fall of 2008 and Fall of 2010.

Eligibility

You must be of sophomore status and have 2.5 GPA or higher to study in France. Preference will be given to juniors and seniors if there are too many applicants to the program.

You must be studying French at an advanced level to be considered for the Calvin semester program in France.

Cost

The cost for the fall 2008 program in France is $16,450. This price includes:

  • Tuition
  • Room and board
  • Program-related excursions

Additional expenses not included in the program fee: air travel to and from France, books, medical insurance (required), passport, visa and personal spending money.

Accommodations

As part of this intensive language program, you will live in a French household in Grenoble.

Courses

The prerequisite for all classes in the semester program is French 215 and 216.

The following courses are required:

STFR 230: Contemporary France
An introduction to contemporary French culture through readings, discussions with guest speakers, and excursions. Begins late August with an orientation in Paris and Grenoble. Fulfills Cross-Cultural Engagement Core, as well as French minor and major requirements. 2 semester hours, cross-cultural engagement credit, French minor and major requirements

STFR 363: Francophone Literature and Culture in North Africa

  3 semester hours, fulfills Global & Historical Studies core requirement

You will also take courses at the Centre universitaire d'études françaises on topics such as language, stylistics, translation, literature and culture. When you successfully complete these courses, you will receive credit for STFR 315 (Advanced Stylistics and Phonetics; 3 semester hours), STFR 316 (Advanced Language Study in France; 4 semester hours), and STFR 295 (Special Topics; 3 semester hours). Contact Otto Selles for additional information concerning courses at the CUEF.

Apply

Submit a preliminary application to the the Off-Campus Programs office. Once your eligibility for the program is determined (within 1–2 weeks), you will be sent an application. The final application deadline for this program is spring 2010 (watch for exact date).

Guest students may apply for this program.

Contact

Program Director Fall 2008
Glenn Fetzer, French
Phone (616) 526-6486
Email:  fetzer@calvin.edu

Grenoble

Location: 340 miles southeast of Paris and 140 miles west of Torino, Italy; in the Rhône-Alps region of France; accessible by high-speed train, car and plane (flying into the Geneva International Airport 100 miles away is the cheapest option for most student travelers).

Population: 158,000, with more than 500,000 in the metropolitan area.

Things to do:

• Ride the tram up to the Bastille, and enjoy a gorgeous view of Grenoble for €5.95 round trip

•Take public transit to one of the many mountain hiking trails or ski stations during the winter

• Go roller skating at the Parc Paul Mistral, a large park at the center of town

• Enjoy a wide range of traditional and avant-garde films, theater productions and concerts the city offers year-round

See WikiTravel for more ideas

Climate: Temperatures in Grenoble typically range from just below freezing in the winter to about 85 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer.

Excursions

• One-day trips to regional destinations like Villard-de-Lans, Ste. Hilaire du Touvet, Chambery and Annecy

• Extended trips to Paris/Versailles, Lyon and Provence