Montpellier Study Abroad- January 2015

UMBC STUDY PROGRAM IN FRANCE

Winter Program in Montpellier — January 3–24, 2015

The French area of the Department of Modern Languages, Linguistics and Intercultural Communication is happy to announce the return of our study abroad program in Montpellier, France, for 3 weeks in January 2015. Learn French and live French intensively for three weeks — at a time when southern France is a lot warmer than Baltimore.

If you are interested this year, please apply as soon as possible: we cannot take more than 15 participants, and we will have to cancel if there are fewer than 10. Final deadline is October 3, but we will accept applications on a rolling basis, so don’t wait.

This opportunity is intended for students who will have completed at least the 102 level. French majors are particularly urged to take advantage of it. UMBC students will earn 3-4 credits in FREN 201, 202, 301, 302 or 399, depending upon their placement in the program.

Montpellier is a dynamic and prosperous university town, capital of Languedoc-Roussillon, the fastest-growing region in France. The oldest parts of the city were built 1000 years ago at a time when Montpellier had one of the most important medical schools in Europe and was a cultural crossroads for Christian, Jewish, and Islamic culture. Situated a short bus ride (about 12 miles) from the Mediterranean, the city has average January high temperatures in the 50s. The weather is usually sunny, even in winter.

 

INFORMATION MEETING: Monday, September 8, 12:00 in Sherman 145

Costs for the program will be $2991 for 3 credits and $3015 for 4 credits. This fee will cover:

  • Three weeks of intensive instruction in small classes of international students (no more than 10 people), taught by native speakers of French
  • Private room and two meals per day (breakfast and dinner) with a French family during the time in Montpellier
  • Transfer between Montpellier airport or train station and homes
  • Medical insurance
  • On-site UMBC faculty advisor
  • Access to email and internet use at the language institute
  • Tours and excursions in Montpellier and the region (some included, some at extra cost)

The basic price does not include airfare. The faculty advisor will recommend a flight for students who wish to travel together with him, but each participant is free to select an individual plan for getting to Montpellier.

Please note that this is not a travel program. Its goals are linguistic and cultural. Students will have two weekends on which to make short trips, but they should not view the program as an opportunity to “see Europe.” We expect participants to commit to the academic goals of the program.

Program size is limited to 15 students. Students at the 300 or 400 level of French will be given priority consideration. Other factors that will be taken into account include grades in most recent French course, overall GPA, and the short application essay.

For an application, or for answers to any questions you might have about the program, contact:

Thomas Field

Modern Languages and Linguistics

ACIV, Room 146

UMBC

1000 Hilltop Circle

Baltimore, MD 21250

Email: tfield@umbc.edu

 

Deadline: October 3, 2014. Early applications will have priority.

  1. Send your application and a deposit of $250 (refundable, if you are not accepted) to:

Montpellier Program

International Education Services

Adm. 222

UMBC

1000 Hilltop Circle

Baltimore, MD 21250

Checks should be made payable to UMBC.

  1. In order to confirm your participation, you must send an additional payment of $800 by October 31.
  1. The remaining balance on your account will be due on November 26.

REFUNDS: A $500 cancellation charge will be incurred if the student withdraws after December 1, 2014. Additional penalties may be incurred after any deposits have been paid on the student’s behalf in France.