Samford University's Language Study Abroad summer program offers a unique opportunity to explore France's rich heritage of language and culture through classroom study, travel, and the experience of daily living with a local family.


LOCATION
Grenoble is located in the southeast of France at the foot of the French Alps. It offers a breathtaking view at every turn. The city houses several art and historic museums and is the perfect setting for outdoor activities, such as mountain climbing or hiking. From Grenoble, one can easily access Roman ruins, the Côte d'Azur, Monaco, Italy, and Switzerland.

THE CENTER
In 1896, Grenoble was chosen to be the first city in France to welcome foreign students to study French as a foreign language. Today, Stendhal University and its University Center for French Studies (CUEF) welcome students of seventy different nationalities each year. 

LODGING IN GRENOBLE
Samford's personal housing coordinator in Grenoble ensures that students have host families who accept them as members of the family and are willing to make their stay as pleasant as possible. The practice of lodging one student per family enables him or her to make significant progress in French conversation. The students take breakfast and dinner with their French families.

TEACHING AND TESTING
Upon arrival at CUEF, students take oral and written tests to determine the appropriate level at which to pursue their French studies. They are placed in small classes suited to their level and interests, taught by native instructors trained in second language acquisition. Students also have access to a listening laboratory where they can further enhance their listening and comprehension skills. Classes are taught exclusively in French and, at the end of the course study, the Samford Professor-in-Residence administers individual interviews to all students to measure their oral proficiency.

SAMFORD PROFESSOR- IN-RESIDENCE
A Samford professor accompanies the students to Grenoble and on required excursions. This professor provides orientation, academic counseling, tutorials, tours in Paris, and tends to students' individual needs.

SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES 
CUEF's staff of activity organizers offers classes in badminton, aerobics, tennis, volleyball, mountain climbing and hiking, and canoeing in the afternoons and on weekends. There are excursions to the Côte d'Azur (Nice, Monaco, Antibes, and Cannes), Carcassonne, Lyon, Annecy, Chartreuse, Marseille, Avignon, and Bourgogne. Cooking classes, movies, international parties, and cheese tastings take place in the evenings.
 

EXCURSIONS
Chamonix: Students participate in a day-long excursion to Chamonix, the site of the first winter Olympics in 1924. Along the way, students have breakfast in Albertville, the site of the 1992 winter Olympics, and visit the medieval town of Conflans. In Chamonix, students have the opportunity of taking optional tours of the Mer de Glace, a mountain glacier, or of the Aiguille du Midi, a mountain famous for its view. 

Paris: After a month of polishing their French skills in Grenoble, students will spend four and a half days in Paris as the culmination of their trip before returning home. Visits to the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Sainte Chapelle, the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, and the Muséed'Orsay are included along with a boat tour on the Seine River.
 
 

Free weekend: Students have the opportunity to travel independently or with a group from the university on the third weekend of their stay in Grenoble.

INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIPS
Because students must use French to communicate with their teachers, classmates, and families, they strengthen their knowledge of the language and use it as a key to making friends from around the world.

PROGRAM COSTS
The prices quoted on the enclosure include:

  • Round trip airfare Birmingham-Paris and transfers on the dates specified 
  • Round trip train travel Paris-Grenoble 
  • Tuition and fees (CUEF and Samford) 
  • Lodging in a French home with breakfasts and dinners provided 
  • Lunches in the University Cafeteria 
  • Bus, tram, and metro passes in Grenoble and Paris 
  • Required escorted excursions to Chamonix (1 day), either Carcassonne or the Côte d'Azur (2days), and to Paris (3-5 days) (lodging and meals included) 
  • Books for courses in Grenoble 
  • Meals on weekends 
ADMISSION
The program is open to any student in good standing from Samford University or other institutions of higher learning. Students from other colleges and universities will register as transient students of Samford.

ACADEMIC COURSES & CREDITS
FREN 101-102, Elementary French I & II (4 each)
FREN 201-202, Intermediate French I & II (4 each)
FREN 351-352, Language Study Abroad: Advanced French I & II (4 each)
FREN 353, Language Study Abroad: Cultural Studies (4)
FREN 340, Advanced Career Studies (4)

Other French classes in specialized topics may be offered
depending upon demand and availability.

PHED 122, Recreational Activities, France (1) (Note: Students must acquire 35 contact hours of activity to earn this credit.)

USE THESE COURSE NAMES AND NUMBERS WHEN COMPLETING ALL FORMS. PRINT OR DOWNLOAD CURRENT FORMS HTML or WORD FOR UPCOMING SUMMER PROGRAM. HURRY SPACE IS LIMITED!

REGISTRATION
Space is limited. In order to reserve a place in the program, the enclosed application form and a non-refundable deposit of $250.00 must be received in the Department of World Languages and Cultures Study Abroad office by the first orientation meeting. Click HERE to request information for current prices, payment schedules, and other pertinent dates.

METHOD OF PAYMENT
After the payment of the initial deposit in the World Languages and Cultures Study Abroad Office, all payments are to be made in the Office of Student Accounts by credit card or by check payable to Samford University. On the face of the check, please indicate "Language Study Abroad: France" as well as your social security number. The balance must be paid by April 1. A late fee of $100.00 will be assessed if payments arrive after the stated deadline.

FINANCIAL AID
Students qualifying for financial aid at Samford may apply that aid to the Language Study Abroad programs.

REFUND POLICY
The $250.00 deposit is non-refundable. A written notification of cancellation is required. Cancellations prior to April 15 receive a refund of 75%; between April 15 and May 1, 50%; between May 1 and 15, 25%; after May 15, absolutely no refund. 

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