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Home> Study Abroad> Nantes

Program Description
Spring Semester Option
Terms and Credits
Housing
Eligibility Requirements
Application Instructions & Deadlines
Concurrent Enrollment
Program Fees
Withdrawal Policy
Financial Aid
Scholarship Information
Refund Policy & Withdrawal
Insurance
Miscellaneous
Additional Contacts

Print out a program brochure 2009 version!

In the fall of 2009, the Division of French and Italian Studies will again offer a program in Nantes. Nantes is the capital of the region named Pays de Loire and the old capital of the Bretagne areas.  It is a beautiful city where almost 500,000 people live.  Nantes is a dynamic, culturally rich city, only 2 hours away by train from Paris.  Nantes is also one of Seattle’s sister cities.

Program Description

The University of Nantes is a large institution that welcomes more than 30,000 students.  You will be officially studying at the University of Nantes while concurrently enrolled at the University of Washington.  In Nantes, you will be part of the IRFLE, which is the school for teaching French as a foreign language.

The minimum requirement for this program is French 103.  The program is open to students of all levels beyond 103.  

Prior to the beginning of the fall IRFLE program, you will be required to participate in a short pre-session program in Paris and Nantes, which will be arranged by the UW.  You will receive more detailed information after you have been accepted to the program. 

During fall semester, you will participate in excursions and various cultural events. Some of these activities will be offered and organized by the UW on-site coordinator who will stay in Nantes for the first week of the program. A two-person team of local coordinators will be available for assistance and conversation classes throughout the semester.

Spring Semester Option

Students who have completed the UW's fall semester program in Nantes have the option of continuing with their studies in Nantes during spring semester (winter and spring quarters). Interested students can do so in two different ways: continue studies of French language for foreigners at the IRFLE or participate in a direct exchange at the University of Nantes. For further information about these programs, please contact Anni Fuller (afuller@u.washington.edu) at IPE either prior to departure or by Nov. 15, 2009.

Terms and Credits

The Division of French & Italian Studies Departmental Program in Nantes begins in Paris on September 2, 2009. This program will take place during fall semester and offers the opportunity for students to earn UW credit while living, studying and practicing French in France.

As a rule, the program classes do not replace existing UW classes at the French 200 or 300 levels.  Special circumstances may apply. 

The credits earned on this program can meet the Jackson School requirement for a second year of foreign language. 

If you have completed French 103, you will receive 15 UW credits of French 199 and 3 credits of French 237. 

If you have completed French 201, 202, 203, you will receive 15 credits of French 299 and 3 credits of French 337. 

If you have taken courses beyond French 203, UW credits will be determined after you have returned from the program. 

You may be asked to take a placement test at the UW to determine which UW French level you are eligible for upon your return from the Nantes program.

Fall semester students can earn up to 15 credits counting toward their French major.  Students who opt to study for the academic year (fall and spring semesters) in Nantes may earn up to 20 credits toward their French major. 

Housing

In dorms or in residence halls.  All are furnished and you will share kitchen and bathroom facilities.

Eligibility Requirements

Successful completion of French 103 or above with a minimum grade of 3.0.  Minimum 3.0 overall GPA by the beginning of the program.  The program is best suited for students who are independent, flexible and open-minded since student support services are limited. 

Application Instructions and Deadlines

Application deadline:   March 1st. 

Application packet:

1. General IPE application form (download at http://ipe.washington.edu/forms/)

2. One-page statement of purpose.

3. One UW faculty or TA recommendation.

4. UW transcript (unofficial transcript okay).

5. Financial statement: please describe in a couple of sentences how you plan to finance the program.    

Please drop off your completed application packet in Padelford C-254 (main office for French & Italian Studies).

Concurrent Enrollment & Pre-Departure Orientation

Students participating in the program must submit forms to concurrently enroll in the UW during autumn quarter 2009. Concurrent enrollment forms will be delivered to students via the IPE Mandatory Online Pre-Departure Orientation (found at lhttp://ipe.washington.edu/domestic/orientation.html) and will be due to IPE by September 1, 2009.

For complete information regarding concurrent enrollment and the Mandatory Pre-Departure Orientation, please visit http://ipe.washington.edu.

Program Fees

The program fee is approximately $5,400. In addition to the departmental program fee, students will pay the IPE fee of $300.

The program fee includes instructional costs, a two-day stay in Paris upon arrival, housing in Nantes (from the beginning of the program through January 31), administrative costs, and program excursions.   The program fee DOES NOT include food, airfare, or spending money, or the $300 IP&E fee (as noted above). The program fee DOES NOT include visa fee (approximately $150) or travel to San Francisco to obtain the visa.

Upon acceptance to the program, students will be required to sign and submit a payment contract. Fees will then be charged to participants' UW student accounts and will be payable to UW Student Fiscal Services in 129 Schmitz hall or via MyUW according to the following payment schedule:

Students should budget about $1,500 for food; $1000-$1200 for airfare; and additional funds for personal expenses/spending money. For an estimated budget of student expenses, please visit the IP&E office in 459 Schmitz Hall.

Program fees are paid in dollars; most program expenses are paid in euros. The French & Italian Studies Program in Nantes reserves the right to modify the departmental program fee based upon dollar devaluation or severe inflation. If such a change occurs, students will be notified of the increase and an adjustment will be made to the final program payment.

Withdrawal Policy

A student withdrawing from the program by June 27, 2009 will be refunded all but the non-refundable $450 program deposit. Any student withdrawing from the program after this deadline will be liable for any non-recoverable payments already made or committed on behalf of the participant, which could range up to the entire program fee. No refunds will be given once the program begins. Notice of withdrawal from the program must be made in writing to both the International Programs and Exchanges office and the Division of French & Italian Studies.

Financial Aid

Most forms of financial aid can be utilized during participation in the program. Participants who are on financial aid should contact the Financial Aid Office to verify that their awards will apply. Students interested in applying for increased financial aid during their quarter of study abroad should obtain a revision request from the Financial Aid office, and a budget of student expenses from the IPE office, and submit both to the Financial Aid office in Schmitz Hall.

Students should reference http://ipe.washington.edu for more information about Financial Aid & scholarships, including the quarterly IPE scholarship.

Scholarship Information

As an undergraduate student, you are eligible for a scholarship from the Seattle-Nantes Sister City Association (SNSCA) of up to $1,500 to help defray the expenses of your study in Nantes.  The paperwork includes the following: 

1)  a letter from the UW departmental faculty stating your acceptance to the program;

2)  a letter from the applicant with short bio, statement and history of interest in French language and culture, and future plans after graduation;

3)  a copy of your official transcript

4)  a copy of acceptance by the French institution

Documents may be sent to Jean Leblon at 1130 5th Avenue South #104, Edmonds, WA 98020.  Tel. (425) 778-9889

Please include your email address and telephone number where you may be easily reached.  You will then be invited to a short interview with the award committee. 

Students should reference http://ipe.washington.edu for additional information about scholarships, such as the Fritz and GO! (Global Opportunities) scholarships.

Insurance

The University of Washington strongly recommends that students participating in this program maintain medical insurance coverage (that covers them internationally) while abroad. As a concurrently enrolled UW student, you will be eligible to purchase the UW Student Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan through the IPE office. If you wish to do so, you will need to submit the UW Accident and Sickness Insurance Purchase request form to IPE by September 1, 2008.

Forms and further information about insurance resources can be found on the IPE website: http://ipe.washington.edu.  

Miscellaneous

You will be notified of your acceptance to the program (by e-mail) shortly after the deadline.

You must have a valid passport to participate in the program.

You will get more information about the program including French visa at the MANDATORY information meetings.  Please read all information and handouts you receive.

Additional Contacts

Dr. Hélène V.-Collins, Lecturer in the UW French and Italian Department:
C-251 Padelford Hall
Box 354361
Phone: (206) 543-7935
helenev@u.washington.edu

Anni Fuller, Foreign Study Adviser in the IP&E office:
459 Schmitz Hall
Box 355815
Seattle, WA 98195-5815
Phone: (206) 221-4404
Fax: (206) 685-3511
afuller@u.washington.edu

IP&E - http://ipe.washington.edu
University of Nantes - http://www.univ-nantes.fr
City of Nantes - http://www.nantes.fr

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