French Coop Program

French Coop offers various types of programs in French universities throughout the year. This program is available at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, depending on the French institution.

Study Programs in France

Eligibility

Minimum requirements for undergraduate students:

  • FREN 2050 or equivalent for summer study
  • Two courses in French beyond FREN 2050 for semester study or academic year. A maximum of 12 French may be transferred to UNT toward an undergraduate major in French.

University of Caen (Normandy)

Two Programs are Available in Caen

  • Summer Study: 4 (or 6) weeks at the undergraduate level only for 6 (or 9) transfer credits, June-July.
  • Spring Semester Study: 14 weeks at the undergraduate level only (early February to end of May) for 15 credits in French at the advanced level (3 credits at UNT to 12 transfer credits from Caen).

Registration

Students spending the spring semester in Caen must pre-register at UNT for three credits in French (FREN 4920). Students then apply for admission at the French university and register for the summer or semester session there. For summer study, students must submit their payments in euros prior to departure; for semester study, they pay in Caen upon arrival.

Courses

Before the beginning of each session, students take a placement test at the University of Caen; the test results determine the level of courses in which they will be registered there.Upon completion of the session, students must submit to Dr.Kaplan an official certificate from the French university, showing attendance records, contact hours, and grades received in each course. Grades are then evaluated for the posting of transfer credits to their transcript.

Universit'e Francois Rabelais Tours

This is an exchange program at the undergraduate level for the duration of the academic year. Students register at UNT for 12 credit hours in French per semester, including a 4000-level course at UNT that they complete in absentia. In France, they enroll in French courses and upon their return, they submit their transcript to the Director of Coop.

Ecole Sup'erieure de Commerce International du Pas-de-Calais (ESCIP) in Longuenesse

This is an exchange program for the duration of the academic year. Students register at UNT for 12 credits per semester; they enroll in regular courses at the ESCIP and complete a two-month internship with a French company. For this program, two scholarships in amount of $1,000 are available from the Department of Foreign Languages, in addition to the international Scholarship from the Study Abroad Center ($500 per semester; available on a first-come, first-served basis).

Institut International d'etudes francaises at the University of Strasbourg

Graduate students attending the Teacher's seminar in July for 4 weeks will transfer 6 credits in FREN 5900.

Teaching Positions in France (academic year only)

For advanced undergraduate students of French who have completed at least two courses at the 3000 level and graduate students. They offer UNT students teaching opportunities in France for the academic year. Students participating in these programs must register at UNT.

Universit'e Francois Rabelais in Tours

A position as English Lecturer. Only graduate students who have teaching experience (either in residence at UNT as Teaching Fellows in French, or in a secondary school) are eligible. English lecturers teach courses in advanced language and American civilization. Monthly net salary 2004/05: 1145 Euros, including social security.

The Ecole Sup'ericure de Commerce International du pas de Calais (ESCIP) in Longuenesse

A teaching position as Teaching Assistant of English for UNT graduate students who have at least one year of teaching experience. Monthly net salary 2004/05:686 euros, Housing paid.

Exchange through French Embassy

Positions as teaching assistants in English are available in French public schools (elementary and secondary levels): monthly stipend 2004/05 (about 890 Euros; 740 Euros after taxes and health care), full medical and dental insurance.

Living Conditions:

Housing

  • In Caen, students may have a single room on campus (summer only) or live with a family (room only, room with breakfast, or room with breakfast and dinner). Although living with a family is a little more expensive than living on campus, it is highly recommended as it enables students to communicate in French on a regular basis, meet more French people, and have first-hand knowledge of the culture.
  • At the ESCIP, housing arrangements are made for the students prior to their arrival.
  • In Tours, undergraduate students have a single room on campus while the graduate lecturer is assisted by the Department of English to find adequate accommodation (usually a furnished apartment).
  • In Strasbourg, graduate students have a room on campus.

Meals

Cafeterias are available on all campuses (about 3 Euros per meal). Students who select half-board with a family in Caen have breakfast and dinner with the family, and lunch on campus.

Extra-curricular Activities

The University of Caen organizes various activities and excursions during the summer and semester sessions; some are included in the fees, others require additional payment.

Formalities

Transportation

Students are responsible for the purchase of their plane tickets. They travel by themselves, following the information and guidance provided by the Director of the French Coop.

Passport

Students must have a valid passport. Application forms for U.S. passports are available at the Court House in Denton (McKinney Street). Allow 6-8 weeks for the application procedure.

Visa

No visa is necessary for American citizens staying in France under 90 days; students from other countries may need a visa. Students spending a semester or academic year in France must apply for a visa. They must send a completed visa application form (available online) to the French Consulate in Houston, along with a form of commitment to secure insurance coverage while in France, the letter of admission from the French university, and their passport. The Consulate is usually open M-F, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.: French Consulate, 777 post Oak Blvd., Suite 600, Houston, TX 77056, Tel: (713) 572-2799; Fax:(713)-572-2911, E-mail: info@consulfrance-houston.org

Health Insurance

Prior to their departure for France, students must secure health insurance for coverage while in France. Many insurance companies offer this type of coverage. The International Student ID Card ( available from the Study Abroad Center in Kendall Hall for $22) includes supplemental coverage. Other insurance companies offer a special coverage for study abroad: MEDEX offers coverage for about $2.50 a day; call (800)732-5309. HTH Worldwide offers coverage in France on a monthly basis; call (866) 510-8780.

Application Process

Students interested in ANY French Coop program must first apply with Dr. Kaplan, Secondly, students (except for the French Embassy exchange students) must complete an application from the Study Abroad Center (located un Kendall Hall, room 115) and submit it with a non-refundable administrative fee of $100. The application includes a form for A $500 IEFS scholarship available on a first-come, first-served basis to all students who have been enrolled at UNT during the past 12 months.

Minimum Estimated Costs (may vary with exchange rate)

  • Summer study in Caen (rates for 2004): 4 weeks: $3200 (room on campus and all meals) or $3600 (family stay and all meals)
  • Summer study in Strasbourg (rates for 2004): 4 weeks: $2400 (room on campus and all meals)
  • Semester in Caen (rates for 2005): $5000 (bed and breakfast with family, other meals on campus) or $6200 (half board with family, lunch on campus). These costs include tuition, room, board and round-trip transportation.
  • Academic year with a job or a teaching position: students are responsible for transportation (about $1,000), medical insurance, and tuition at UNT; depending on the program, living expenses in France are fully or partially covered by the salary or stipend.

Application Deadlines for All Programs (earlier for scholarship awards)

  • Academic year: March 15
  • Summer: March 15
  • Spring semester: November 15

For More Information

For more information, please contact the Director of the French Coop:

Dr. Marjin S. Kaplan, Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures; UNT

P.O. Box 311127, Denton, Texas 76203-1127

Tel: (940) 565-2404 or email: mkaplan@unt.edu

Additional information is available from: http://www.cas.unt.edu/~mkaplan/frenchcoop.htm.