Effective July 1, 2007, only students enrolled at Alma College may apply for admission to these programs.
Alma College students are encouraged to contact the Off-Campus Studies office for additional program information. Call (989) 463-7055 or send an email to offcampusstudies@alma.edu.
Why Paris?
Paris can draw upon 2,000 years of existence, giving this city an unrivaled historical and cultural legacy. Paris is one of Europe’s most important artistic, political, religious, educational and commercial centers. It is also a modern city with an atmosphere that is the most romantic, shops that are most chic, and restaurants beyond compare. Paris occupies a strategic geographical position at the center of Europe, and is reinforced by successful airline, railway and highway networks. Nightlife in Paris is alive; the City of Lights has never been shy or early to bed. Paris is brimming with attractions and things to do. The city’s architecture alone is a sight to see, the pyramid at the Louvre and the Centre Pompidou are prominent examples. Countless museums, monuments, landmarks, parks and gardens are scattered throughout this huge metropolis.
Paris Application Deadline
Applications for off-campus study in the summer or fall semester are due by the second Friday of classes in February. Applications for Off-Campus Study in the spring semester are due by the second Friday of classes in September. Early applications are strongly encouraged.
Program Services
Program fees include pre- and post-advising, tuition, room, breakfast and dinner (when assigned), laundry or laundry facilities, official excursions, Internet access, metro passes, airport meeting, on-site orientation, limited health insurance, an international student ID card, and handbooks. One certification of proficiency examination is also available for semester students, as well as fees for the C.E.F.P II and Diplome de hangue exams.
Program Dates, Fees and Services
Fall Semester 2007, Extended Winter Semester 2008, and Winter Semester 2008 dates and prices to be announced.
SUMMER 2007:
One Month $4,150 Beginning May 3, May 31, or July TBA
Two Months $6,600 Beginning May 3 or May 31
Three Months $9,285 Beginning May 3
The School and Facilities
The Alma College students in Paris may enroll at the Alliance Française. Situated in the affluent sixth arrondissement, the Alliance Française is just a five-minute walk from the Jardin du Luxembourg, in the heart of the city. As an institution with a long and successful tradition of welcoming a foreign public enamored of the French language, the Alliance offers Alma students the opportunity to attend language classes with others from all over the world. Our program provides a private room, equipped with a word processor, for Alma students to study or relax. Everything at the Alliance Française contributes to language learning: the quality of the teaching staff, the relevance of methods and materials used and also the environment and support services. In 2001, a new multimedia resource center was created at the Alliance. The school is now known as the "École de Paris," - the Paris School. For more information about our program, please visit the Alma College Paris Web site.
Admission Requirements
The Paris program is open to undergraduate students of sophomore status and above or graduates who enroll for undergraduate credit. Students must have a minimum 2.5 GPA on a four-point scale or the equivalent at their respective colleges or universities in order for their applications to be considered for review. A 2.75 GPA or equivalent and completion of four semesters of college-level French are required for internship participants.
Class Structure and Credits
France Academic Information includes language course descriptions, credit information, and placement test details.
Language courses are offered at four levels, each divided into two parts. Each level corresponds to one full year of French in the U.S.
Students may enroll in intensive grammar courses offered as intensive (four hours per day, five days per week) or extensive (three hours per day, three days per week). Intensive courses are awarded four Alma College credits per month and extensive courses, which take two months to complete, four Alma College credits.
A normal class load is approximately 15-18 hours per semester. Classes are held Monday through Friday, and attendance is an important factor in determining final grade. Oral and written exams are given upon completion of each language level. The Certificates and Diplomas of the Alliance Francaise are for candidates of all levels whose mother tongue is not French and are recognized internationally in more than 130 countries. A budget of approximately $150 per semester is needed for books.
Travel Documents
A passport is required for all students on a study abroad program and must remain valid 180 days beyond the end of the program. This should be done no later than four months prior to departure. Students staying over 90 days must obtain a single entry visa. Students apply for visas through the French Consulate that has jurisdiction over their region of the U.S. in which their home is located. Visit the Embassy website at www.consulfrance-washington.org for further details. OCS will make Visa information available upon students' acceptance to the program. For academic year students, an additional document La Carte de Sejour is required and is obtained after arrival.
Arrival Information
Upon arrival in Paris, students have one day to get settled in before the program starts. To be met at the Charles de Gaulle airport on the first day of the program students must return the Airport Meeting Request form to OCS. For students who wish to travel independently, the RER train or a taxi are suggested methods. Taxis are the simplest and most practical, yet more expensive. Contact a host family approximately two weeks in advance of arrival to inform them of arrival details. For arrivals prior to the beginning date of the program, fees associated with housing and transportation are the student’s own responsibility.
Orientation and Life in Paris
An orientation packet will be at the student’s housing upon arrival. It provides information on the orientation process held at the Alliance Française as well as the meeting time and place with the Resident Director. The orientation includes a tour of the institute, an introduction to the customs of France, and a placement exam to determine each student’s French proficiency so that accurate placement can be made for classes.
Administrative Staff
Alma College staff is available for emergencies 24 hours a day. Call 989.463.7055 to reach an OCS staff member. The Paris on-site director, Mme. Isabelle Tardé and Ms. Keener (01 45 49 08 16) will also be available at all times.
Excursions
The program includes a weekend trip outside of Paris as well as several cultural events that take place within the city. Past excursions have included visits to the Loire Valley chateaux, a tour of the wine caves in Burgundy, a journey to the Normandy beaches, weekend trips to the Côte d’Azur, evenings at the Opera House and the Comédie Française. In addition, current information on all cultural events in Paris is available at the Alliance Française, which offers many amusing excursions throughout the semester.
Vacations
Personal travel may be done during the weekends but must not interfere with class work. Students are expected to notify the Resident Director and host family where they are traveling and when they plan to return. There are two formal vacation periods during the academic year: Fall vacation from late Oct. to early Nov. and Christmas vacation from late Dec. to early Jan. Spring break is usually at the end of April. Exact dates are announced prior to departure. Travel plans made outside of vacation dates should be arranged before or after the program.
Computers
Word processing is available at the school.
Transportation
The Carte Orange pass provided with the program is valid for both the metro and bus. The passes are distributed during the first week of classes. Very few host families live within walking distance to the school, so students utilize public transportation. The metro is the fastest and easiest way to get around Paris. Buses are a more picturesque way to travel, but are often slow. Noctambuses are also available from 1:00 a.m. until dawn.
Housing and Meals
Students can choose from several housing options: living with French families, renting a studio apartment through the Alma program and arranging independently their housing. However, Alma College strongly recommends that students live with a host family for the following reasons:
1. For those who have never experienced living in a large city, the adjustment is easier when students have someone to come home to and to communicate with after class. Living alone in a large city such as Paris can be lonely.
2. Students have a daily opportunity to speak French with the family. A frequent complaint of students living on their own is that they do not speak enough French with French people. Meeting Parisians can be quite difficult since their family and social circles are quite closed and difficult to penetrate.
3. Living with a family is an opportunity to participate in the way French people live and to learn about a different culture. Few foreigners studying in Paris have such close contact with the French and learn about “what makes them tick." Students come away from the experience with a greater understanding of French culture and society.
4. Homestays can lead to long-lasting relationships, new friendships, and at the very least, interesting conversations.
5. Students are able to eat healthy, nourishing meals and taste the French cuisine.
6. While living with a family requires adapting to someone else’s lifestyle and being considerate and thoughtful at all times, the rewards are considerable and the sacrifices involved are well worth it, especially for a 4 or 5-month period.
Most host families are composed of elderly widows or middle-aged couples, some with children at home. They are carefully selected, continually evaluated and have a sincere interest in hosting international students. While living standards in France are certainly acceptable, they may not conform entirely to some students' expectations. Students should remember that a willingness to adapt to their new surroundings is particularly appreciated by host families and essential for a successful stay in Paris.
Telephones
Students are not automatically entitled to use a host’s telephone. Some families allow a separate telephone line from which students can receive and make out-going calls. Students are responsible for the phone bill, however. As this can be very expensive, the Alliance offers international phone cards at inexpensive rates. Télécartes are useful when making inner-city and overseas calls. They can be purchased before departure from OCS, details provided upon acceptance. It may also be worthwhile to invest in a mobile phone. Prices are relatively low and mobile phones are practical in case of emergencies or simply to set up that important rendez-vous!
The mailing address to give family or friends is the Alma address at the Alliance Française:
MR/MME Student’s NameChez Alma College
Alliance Française
101, Boulevard Raspail
75006 Paris, FRANCE
Health Insurance
Limited health insurance is provided as a part of the program cost. It is recommended to keep existing
Alma Travel Agent
Airfare is not included in the cost of the program and all students must purchase their own plane ticket. Students may purchase airline tickets at rates below regular airline prices using the International Student Identification Card provided with the program. STA Travel Agency provides student discounts with the card; view their website at www.statravel.com. Also available for purchase at student rates are Eurail, Britrail, and other country rail passes. Students may work with any travel agent to find airfare. Travel Jems in
