Kalamazoo College: Center for International Programs

Name of Program: Undergraduate Business & Culture Studies in France

Location: École Supérieure de Commerce, Clermont-Ferrand, France

Sponsoring Institution: Kalamazoo College

Dates: Long-Term Program:Late August to late January;
            Extended-Term Program: Late August to late May

Language of Instruction: French

Eligibility Requirements:
Class: Junior or senior standing at time of participation

GPA: 2.70 overall

Language: Minimum proficiency in French equivalent to the completion of two years of college level French.

Application Deadline: February 1

Academics
This program is appropriate for all majors, but is especially recommended for students in Economic, Business Administration and International Commerce. The program begins with a three to four week intensive French course at the École Supérieure de Commerce in Clermont-Ferrand, which is considered a premier school of business in France. Participating students are enrolled directly and integrated in the French system of higher education. A two-week introductory seminar for first year students at the Sup' de Co' follows the intensive course. Students will enroll in the Project d'Initiation an Management de ENTreprises pour decouvrir et comprendre (PIMENT), choose from a selection of economics and business courses and electives available at the Sup' de Co' and the Conservatoire Chabrier. French language instruction will continue throughout the first semester.

The Integrative Cultural Research Project (ICRP) can be either a research project or an unpaid internship that explores global issues and the local circumstances, approaches, and solutions. Students who select internships typically complete service projects. The program staff introduces fieldwork preparation, methodology, and basic social research techniques. The research or internship will result in a major paper (10-15 pages). The paper is due and must be turned in to the Resident Director before the end of the academic program or no credit will be awarded.

Credits & Grades
Long-term participants must enroll in the equivalent of 6 K units of credit. Extended-term participants must enroll in the equivalent of 9 K units of credit. One K unit equals 5-quarter hours or 3.33 semester hours. In order to be counted as one K-Unit of credit, a course must have 40-45 contact hours. If two or more courses are combined to reach the 40 contact hour minimum, all courses must be from the same subject area (i.e. history with history, art with art). Students may not underload or overload.

Students must earn the equivalent of a "C" in the local grading system (10 points on the 20 point French scale) to receive credit for course work. Grades from all study abroad courses are recorded on an official Kalamazoo College transcript and expressed as "K units of credit". The transcript lists the titles of courses, the appropriate disciplines and the translation of the local grades into the Kalamazoo "A, B, C" grading system. Along with the transcript, the registrar at the home institution of each participant will receive instructions for converting K units to the home institution's credit system.

Housing
Students live with homestay families selected by Kalamazoo College's Resident Director. Breakfast and supper are provided in the homestay. Lunch is eaten in the university cafeteria.

Co-Curricular Opportunities
Students are eligible to participate in all Sup' de Co' sponsored activities and are encouraged to join one of the many local clubs and organizations. In addition, the Conservatoire Chabrier, located a few blocks from the Sup' de Co', offers musicians and artists of all kinds an opportunity to take lessons, join groups and/or perform with other students and community members.

Program Fees:

Long Term Program: $22,646; Extended-Term Program: $33,969

Program fees include tuition and fees, food and housing while classes are in session, round trip international airfare from the designated point of departure (typically New York or Boston), and some excursions. Fees do not include medical expenses, books, personal spending money, food or housing during vacation periods or after classes have ended, and independent travel.

This document contains the most accurate information available at the time of publication. Statements contained herein are not contractual obligations, and verbal or other representations that are inconsistent with or not contained within the Academic Catalogue's offerings or policies are not binding. Kalamazoo College and the Center for International Programs each reserves the right to cancel, suspend or change, without specific notice, programs, offerings, policies, procedures, qualifications, fees, and other conditions.

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