MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY, MANKATO SUMMER STUDY IN FRANCE June 18-August 1, 2011 PARIS-NORMANDY-LA ROCHELLE PROGRAM DESCRIPTION This summer, the program is celebrating its thirty-first birthday. The group will leave the United States on June 18. The first 10 days will be spent in Paris (June 19-June 29), visiting major monuments, museums and neighbor-hoods. There will also be excursions to Saint-Denis, Versailles, Vaux-le-Vicomte, Épernay and Fontainebleau. While in Paris, the students will stay in a clean, modern, residential hotel. On June 30, they will leave for Normandy, visiting Giverny (Monet s gardens and home), the Musée des Impressionismes Giverny, Lisieux, Bayeux (its museum and cathedral), Arromanches (its landing beaches and museum), the American Cemetery and le Mont-Saint-Michel. When the students return to Paris at the end of July, they will visit the cathedral at Chartres. The month of July will be spent in La Rochelle. This beautiful port city of more than 70,000 inhabitants is located on the Atlantic Ocean in the department of Charente-Maritime. Both the city and the surrounding area are extremely rich in history. In addition to having one of Europe s most beautiful aquariums, La Rochelle possesses a large number of interesting museums. Being a fishing port, the city has a plentiful supply of fresh seafood. Thanks to its temperate climate, beautiful beaches and pleasant atmosphere, La Rochelle draws tourists from all over the world. In La Rochelle, students will live with carefully chosen families and take courses at the Institut d Études Françaises. INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM Minnesota State University, Mankato s summer program is a cooperative venture with the Institut d'études Françaises which is affiliated with the Université de La Rochelle. The teaching staff is made up of native speakers familiar with the difficulties encountered by foreigners learning their language. The "Institut" provides courses at the elementary, intermediate and advanced levels specifically designed for Minnesota State University, Mankato s students. They stress contemporary French civilization, grammar review and conversation. They meet for a total of 80 50-minute class periods. All students must enroll for nine semester credits. Undergraduates may enroll for a total of twelve. A staff member from Minnesota State University, Mankato, accompanies the students and meets with them on a regular basis both in Paris where he serves as guide and in La Rochelle. Qualified high school students are invited and encouraged to participate in the program. AFTERNOON & WEEKEND ACTIVITIES On the weekends in La Rochelle, students participate in excursions to such places as the Loire River Valley and the Cognac region. The cost of these two outings is included in the program assessment. Students may participate in other excursions that are sponsored by the Institute. No weekend trips to other parts of France or Europe are allowed.
PROGRAM COST The current estimated cost of the program is $6,250. This sum does not include plane transportation. It does cover all tuition as well as room, excursions and most incidental costs in Paris, transportation between Paris and La Rochelle, demi-pension with a family (breakfast and dinner), lunch at the Institute and two excursions in La Rochelle. Graduate students should plan on paying an additional $660. All students pay in-state tuition. A nonrefundable $75 deposit must accompany all applications. It will be credited toward the cost of the program. The first deposit of $1,500 is due on March 1, 2011. An additional $1,500 will be due on April 1. The balance must be paid on or before May 1. Further information dealing with housing in Paris, the family stay and course work in La Rochelle is available upon request. Student applications for the program are accepted up to May 15, provided that space is still available. Students who wish to receive financial aid should contact the Financial Aid Office at their home institution to review their status and determine the amount of their grant, loan and/or scholarship. After acceptance into the program, students receive a tape and numerous handouts that contain pre-departure information as well as advice on how to successfully live in a foreign country. TRANSPORTATION We are currently arranging air transportation. It will be with a regularly scheduled airline. Information on any restrictions pertaining to return dates and on the cost of the ticket is available upon request. CONTACT PERSON Dr. Evan Bibbee Department of Modern Languages AH 227 Minnesota State University, Mankato Mankato, MN 56001 E-mail: evan.bibbee@mnsu.edu or call (507) 389-6250 or (507) 389-2116 (800) 722-0544 (MN only) FAX: (507) 389-5887 You may also visit our web site at: www.mnsu.edu/modernlang (Dates, excursions and charges are subject to change without notification.)
STUDENT FEEDBACK The following comments were made by some of the more than 400 students who have participated in Minnesota State University, Mankato s Summer Study in France Program. Numerous students have gone twice and several have gone three times. I can t say enough about how wonderful I find this program! It has been an incredible life experience, and it is one that I will forever treasure. Of course, it has also been a great learning experience, one that all French students should have. The stay in Paris was a great way to start the program by learning so much about France s history and culture. The program in La Rochelle was a great way to end it by coming in contact with a family and by learning about present-day France at the Institute. (Marquette University) It was a tremendous experience and I had a wonderful time. I believe that my French improved--both speaking and comprehension--and that the historical knowledge that I gained will help me in the future. I also could not have asked for a better family situation. I also could not have asked for a better group leader. I really appreciated the smoothness with which everything was handled. (U of Minnesota, Morris) I would like to express my thanks for a terrific "once-in-a-lifetime" experience. I got "sooo" much out of your program and would kill to go again. The memories of all of the incredible places and fantastic people will hold a special place in my heart always. I made some lifelong friends on this trip. (U of Michigan) This was, without a doubt, the most enlightening experience of my life thus far. Anyone can go to Paris or Nice and spend thousands of dollars to see the sites. I spent almost nothing to eat and drink well, see the sites, make life-long friends and become a more complete person. Magnifique! Impeccable! Parfait! Merveilleux! (U of Arkansas) Very good price compared with other programs. Staying with my family was extremely helpful for learning about French culture. It also improved my conversational ability. (Georgia Institute of Technology) I looked at just about every study abroad program that exists in France. This one definitely has the best cost/quality ratio. Do not even debate whether or not to come. Do it. There is no way that you will regret it. The six weeks were absolutely amazing. I feel so lucky to have been able to experience this program. (Drexel University) I feel that living in a French home as well as having the freedom to explore Paris and La Rochelle have given me invaluable experiences that could never be reproduced in a classroom. We were given enough independence so that we had to learn on our own. (University of Tennessee) These six weeks have provided me with a learning opportunity that surpasses all of my years of studying in the US. Our family was awesome! They were very friendly, patient and went out of their way to help us. (University of Virginia)
I met some wonderful people this summer and it was a great experience. I want to thank you for arranging everything so smoothly and making the tour of Paris so interesting. I realize now that I made a good choice in choosing MSU's summer program. (University of New Hampshire) This was definitely six weeks that I will treasure for the rest of my life! The only way to appreciate, understand, and learn a language and a culture is to go to its origin- that is exactly what I did. With the help of the program director and my wonderful family, I could not have learned better and enjoyed myself so much! (Northwestern University) I was able to see more of France than I ever thought possible. I was able to practice my French, learn a tremendous amount about history, have an opportunity to live in the culture and meet some of the nicest people in my life. It is truly none of the greatest experiences I have ever had, a once in a lifetime opportunity. (Bryant College) Students from the following institutions have participated in Minnesota State University, Mankato s Summer Study in France Program: Ambrose College Augsburg College Austin Community College Bethel College Bemidji State University Bryant College Buena Vista College Century College Clarke College College of Saint Benedict Columbia College Drexel University Eastern Illinois University Eastern Michigan University Florida Atlantic University Georgia Tech Gettysburg College Gustavus Adolphus College Hamline University Harvard University Lehigh University Marquette University Mary College Ohio University Minnesota State University, Moorhead Normandale Community College North Dakota State University North Texas State University Northwestern University Rice University Saint Cloud State University Simpson College Southwest State University University of Arkansas University of Georgia William Smith University of California-Santa Barbara University of Michigan-Ann Arbor University of Minnesota-Duluth University of Minnesota-Minneapolis University of Minnesota-Morris University of New Hampshire University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill University of Richmond University of South Dakota University of Texas University of Virginia University of Washington University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire University of Wisconsin-La Crosse University of Wisconsin-Madison University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Virginia Commonwealth University
MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY, MANKATO SUMMER STUDY IN FRANCE - Summer 2011 ---- Program Application: Page 1 ---- NAME Last First Middle BIRTH DATE: / / SOCIAL SECURITY #: - - Current Contact Information ADDRESS PHONE E-MAIL: Contact Information as of May 15th ADDRESS PHONE E-MAIL: Contact Information of Parents or Nearest Relative ADDRESS PHONE E-MAIL: UNDERGRADUATE GRADUATE (please check one) STATE OF RESIDENCE Minnesota South Dakota North Dakota Wisconsin other:
SUMMER STUDY IN FRANCE - Summer 2011 ---- Program Application: Page 2 ---- Please complete the following brief survey pertaining to your study of French. SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY COURSE(S) GRADE(S) If you hold a foreign passport, please indicate the country which issued it: If you have any dietary restrictions or known food or animal allergies, please specify. Do you have any learning disabilities, illnesses or physical disabilities which will need to be accommodated in a special way during the summer program? yes no Please explain in detail: If you have traveled in a French-speaking country, please indicate which one and the nature and length of your stay. Certain information requested on this application is private and will be available only to university personnel responsible for the Summer Study in France Program, or in the event of illness, to persons providing medical treatment. You are not required to provide this information; however, failure to provide the data may prevent the university from accepting your application, providing special services, or hinder the giving of medical treatment.