CIEE - French

VISION

Gordon's Department of Language and Linguistics recommends CIEE's programs in France for students studying French. French minors are required to study abroad for one semester and encouraged to study for the full year. 

CIEE's three program locations have different concentrations and students are advised to consult their French advisor as they examine the options. The available locations are:

• Paris
• Rennes
• Toulouse

PARIS CIEE offers different two different program opportunities in Paris.

Critical & Francophone Studies examines French art, society and culture:

• Take courses in critical studies focusing on French theory in cinema, the arts, writing, and critical thought and Francophone Studies in contemporary French society and culture
• Study entirely in French, with a strong emphasis on the French intellectual tradition and emergent global thought
• Enroll in the Université de Paris 3-Sorbonne Nouvelle or the Université Paris Diderot (Paris 7), allowing direct engagement in Parisian university life
• Visit exhibits, attend film festivals and listen to lectures
• Take day excursions to places in and around Paris and weekend excursions to other important French cities

The Contemporary French Studies program allows beginning and intermediate students an entryway into the political, social, and cultural complexity of contemporary France:

• Improve your French, and discover Paris and contemporary French society through a program specially designed for the beginning and intermediate language student
• Choose from CIEE content courses taught in French for intermediate to advanced students, and English for beginning to intermediate students
• Meet locals through a homestay, volunteering opportunities with French youth, and by conversing with your peers
• Take fascinating practicum courses that bring you into contact with French society
• Audit a class at the Université de Paris if you meet the qualifications

RENNES lies in the heart of Brittany and offers students an opportunity to discover not only contemporary France but also its Celtic traditions and history. The Rennes Liberal Arts program enables students to:

• Gain a deeper understanding of the French people and fluency in the French language
• Enjoy for-credit teaching internships in a local primary, middle, or high school
• Enroll in a French university
• Live with a French family, and immerse yourself in the culture
• Visit museums and theaters, and take excursions to sites such as the southwestern coast of Brittany, beaches of Normandy, Mont Saint-Michel, and castles of the Loire Valley

TOULOUSE is home to one of Europe's oldest universities and one of France's premier business schools. The Business & Culture program offers students the opportunity to take courses at one of the nation’s best undergraduate business schools, and pursue an internship with a local or international company while living in a region of France with a rich cultural heritage. Students can:

• Study at France’s top-ranked undergraduate business school alongside French and international students
• Enjoy a varied co-curricular program that includes a study trip to Paris as well as visits to local companies and activities in and around the vibrant university town of Toulouse
• Take advantage of the convenient French rail system to explore the Mediterranean, the Atlantic coast, and the Pyrenees

TRAVEL INFO: a how-to from the Paris Police on staying safe in Paris. Convenient advice applies to many urban centers in France.

QUALIFICATIONS

Students wishing to apply for CIEE must:

• Have sophomore standing or above
• Be a French major/minor
• Have a minimum 3.0 GPA (Paris programs) or 2.75 (Rennes and Toulouse)
• Have the approval of their French advisor for their location choice

CREDIT

Upon arrival, students take a placement exam. Students who place below the advanced level may be required to enroll in an additional language course for advanced or intermediate composition.
In general, students take a minimum of one required French language course and four elective courses. These electives can include CIEE courses, regular university courses, and internship opportunities.

COST

 The Global Education Office will work with Student Financial Services to reassess each applicant's institutional aid for their off-campus semester. Institutional aid includes Gordon-awarded merit scholarships and grants, honors program awards, and major-or department-specific awards. Federal and private aid will not be affected. Factors in the reassessment process include financial need, GEO program flexibility within your major/minor, and program cost. SFS will provide a breakdown of costs to each student after approval has been issued by the GEO

The following is included:

• Tuition and direct program costs
• Room and board (Note: in some CIEE programs, only two meals per day are covered)

Not covered:

• Flights
• Personal expenses
• Local travel
• Course material