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Pitt in Nantes (France)

Nantes, France

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Program Terms:

Summer

Program Dates & Deadlines:

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Fact Sheet:




Program Type:	Panther Program	Housing Options:	Host Family
Language Prerequisite:	2 terms of college-level language instruction	Number of Credits:	6
Internship/Research?:	No	Open to Non-Pitt Students:	Yes
Language of Instruction:	French	Program Length:	6 weeks
Courses of Study:	Art History, Business, Communication, French Language and Literature	Certificate Program:	European Union Studies, Global Studies, West European Studies
Minimum GPA:	2.75

Program Description:

Pitt in Nantes

Nantes, France

Program Overview

The program will begin in Paris, where for four days, students will immerse themselves in French culture, cuisine, and history. Students will then travel to Nantes where the University of Pittsburgh collaborates with IES, the on-site organization which coordinates program logistics. The IES Center occupies the fourth floor of a 19th century residential building located a few blocks from the historic center of Nantes. Cultural programming that complements the academic program includes two full-day excursions (to the Loire Valley and Mont St. Michel) and other events designed to coincide with the themes of the academic program.

Location Information

Once a vital port city in the 19th century, Nantes is now the sixth largest city in France with a population of over 500,000 people and is a leader in technology and international industries. It was recently ranked one of the best cities in France for its quality of life. Situated at the mouth of the Loire River just 30 miles from the Atlantic Ocean, Nantes is only two hours by train from Paris and allows quick journeys to the capital and easy access to other destinations in Europe. Rich in tradition, yet unspoiled by tourism, Nantes offers a quintessential image of French society. More importantly, IES is the only permanent American study abroad program in Nantes. As English is rarely heard in the streets, students have ample opportunity to practice their French.

Academics

Students will take a total of six credits selected from the following list:

Intermediate French I or II
FR 0003 or FR 0004
These courses focus on developing competency in comprehending and producing the French language both spoken and written as well as socio-cultural competency in communicating with French-speaking people.

French Culture and Communication
FR 0055
This course focuses on the verbal exchange of opinions, the understanding and interpretation of written and spoken French on a variety of cultural topics, and the oral presentation of ideas to an audience of listeners on various topics.

Business French
FR 0006
This intermediate-level course is intended for students interested in business and economics, it will focus on the language and cultural context of the French business world, including marketing, advertising, and the meaning of work. Much of the course will be workshop-based, including writing French resumes and cover letters, conducting mock job interviews, and visiting business sites in Nantes.

Media in French Culture
FR 0006
This course is designed to be taken along with French 3 or 4. It will examine media in twenty-first century French culture with a focus on newspapers, radio, TV, and the web. Local media sources from Nantes will also be discussed. In addition, it will use media to conduct research on French culture, and students will do media-based research projects on topics of interest.

Art History of Nantes
FR 1052
This course focuses on the art and history of Nantes and will include visits to the Musée des Beaux Arts de Nantes, to the cathedral, and to the city's historic neighborhoods.

Stylistics
FR 1032
Course description will be available soon.

General Education Requirements

Select courses offered by this study abroad program fulfill general education requirements for students in the College of Arts and Sciences as follows:

Foreign Language: FR 0003

On-Site Faculty

Brett Wells is the faculty director for the Pitt in France program. He is the Director for Undergraduate Studies in French at the University of Pittsburgh. Professor Wells earned his Masters and PhD in French from Stanford University. He has spent considerable time in Québec, and his research interests include Language planning in Québec, Terminology, Francophone Sociolinguistics, and Applied Linguistics. Contact Prof. Wells.

Program Dates

Summer 2013 (dates subject to change)

May 16, 2013: Depart the U.S.
May 17, 2013: Arrive in Paris for orientation
May 20, 2013: Arrive in Nantes
June 29, 2013: Program ends: depart Nantes

Prices

All prices subject to change.

PA residents: $5,725
Non-PA residents: $5,925

Includes: tuition for six credits, housing with a French family, daily breakfast and five dinners per week, health insurance for the term of program dates, transportation costs between Nantes and Paris, beginning weekend in Paris, local transportation in Nantes, excursions

Additional Expenses (estimates): Study Abroad Administrative Fee ($300), cell phone (through PICCELL) price varies, Airfare (~$1000), additional meals ($400), books ($100), personal expenses ($800) .

Students planning to extend their stay or travel extensively in Europe after the program is completed should budget more for personal expenses.

Airfare

Airfare is not included in the program fee for Pitt in Nantes. It is recommended that students budget at least $1,000 to cover flights. Keep in mind that many airlines charge for additional checked baggage.

Housing Information

Students will live in homestays with French families. Host families live all over Nantes. You will have a private room in their home. In order to facilitate immersion, only one student lives with each host family. Two students may, on occasion, live with the same family, but only upon special request.

Your host family will provide you with breakfast daily as well as five dinners each week. Other meals will be at your own expense, so please budget accordingly. The IES facility in Nantes is equipped with a full kitchen for preparing lunches.

Admissions Requirements

At least 2 semesters of college-level French language study
Minimum 2.75 GPA
Completion of at least 24 on-campus credits (sophomore standing or higher)
Good judicial record on campus

Pittsburgh-based Staff

Tiffany Martin is the program manager for Pitt in Nantes. She is a known flight risk and is following in her boss' footsteps by trying to reach 30 countries by the time she turns 30. She attended both undergrad and graduate school here at Pitt with degrees in Marketing and International Affairs. She participated on two study abroad programs and backpacked Europe. She has been fortunate to travel to 25 countries and has learned valuable skills along the way such as how to build a yurt, use chopsticks, cross a street in Ho Chi Minh City, run from hippos, and brush her teeth with a chewing stick. While Tiffany embraces her inner 'Burgher, she wishes that every student would leave Pittsburgh by studying abroad. When not planning her next adventure, Tiffany can be found frequenting various Pittsburgh neighborhoods and restaurants, skiing, watching the Food Network or biking through the parks. Contact Tiffany Martin.

Testimonial:

Panther Program Testimonial
My study abroad experience in France was incredible. It was by-far one of the best decisions I could have ever made. I learned so much about the language, the culture, the history, and the traditions of France and the people. Most importantly though, I learned so much about myself. I feel that this entire study-abroad experience is all about giving up your fears. I was living in a foreign country for six weeks, with people whom I had never met, in a culture that seemed new and strange, and yet, it turned out to be such an eye-opening experience. I really became more outgoing, independent, and confident, and I wasn't afraid to talk to strangers, to ask people for help or for directions, and to ask my family questions about their lives and the culture. My fellow Pitt students and I really bonded, and I know that these friendships will last forever. I made so many memories abroad that I will forever cherish.
— Summer, 2012 Participant

Dates / Deadlines:

Term	Year	App Deadline	Decision Date	Start Date	End Date
Summer	2014	01/24/2014**	Rolling Admission	TBA	TBA
** Indicates rolling admission application process. Applicants will be immediately notified of acceptance into this program and be able to complete post-decision materials prior to the term's application deadline.