Study Abroad Information for Linfield Students

Semester Abroad in France

Our group on the cathedral roof.

Linfield College has entered into partnerships with two institutions in France as program options for minors and majors in French, as well for non-language majors who wish to spend a study abroad semester in France:

• Centre International D'etudes Francaises, L'Universite Catholique De L'Ouest, in Angers (for those with at least one year of college level French at the time of application) www.uco.fr/internationaluco/
• American University Center of Provence (AUCP) in Aix or Marseilles, for those with at least two years of college level French at the time of application. www.aucp.org
• IAU College, Aix-en-Provence, for various levels of French.  This program is particularly suited for French majors. www.iaufrance.org

Interested applicants are encouraged to visit the program websites listed above.

On the basis of an application and supporting documents, a selection committee judges each applicant to determine motivation, readiness, and academic preparation for this study abroad experience.  Qualified candidates will be invited to interview with the French language faculty.  If accepted, students must then complete the application materials for the overseas institution.

A series of mandatory orientation meetings (one weekend and possibly other meetings) are held in the spring semester prior to departure.

Dates: Students may choose from either fall or spring semesters or majors may apply for the year.

Curriculum: Besides French language, students choose from a wide array of electives at each site. AUCP in Aix requires a community service project.

Housing: Students will stay with host families for a full immersion in the French language.

Students abroad often complain that they don't have enough opportunity to make friends outside the American student group. At the AUCP, by the end of their first week of study, students meet their language partners, a French student or young professional currently studying English for career or personal goals. At the very least, this two-hour conversation exchange (one hour French, one hour English) gives each student a chance to chat with another language learner sensitive to the frustrations of mastering a new language. And if the chemistry is right, friendships develop which grow into networks of local contacts and dinner invitations and camping trips and concerts

Quotes from Students
"My host family was the best part about my time in France. They became like my real family and I learned so much about the simplicities of the French lifestyle - the beauty of spending an hour at dinner every night, of being at home, taking walks and other things that don't require much money or extravagant details. The French really value just spending time together."
-Ansley Clark

"CIDEF (Angers) had sports programs as well as cultural/language exchange programs. There were field trips that you could take part in and meet French students by going out to planned activities or scheduling a language partner."
-Kathleen LaFrance

Download PDF of Program Brochure

Download PDF of Information Packet

Websites:

Centre International D'etudes Francaises, L'Universite Catholique De L'Oest in Angers 

American University Center of Provence in Aix

See a Slideshow of images from this Program

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