French and Francophone Studies Section

Study Abroad

Swarthmore College Grenoble Program

The Program

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The Swarthmore College Program in Grenoble, France, offers an opportunity for American college students to become acquainted with French language, life, and culture while continuing their own studies at the university level. Students attend courses at the Université de Grenoble and participate with French students in athletic and other extra-curricular activities. All students are strongly urged to go for the entire academic year. However, students may also attend for only one semester, fall or spring. The program is kept small so that close, individual supervision can be provided by the program Director, a Swarthmore professor. Students receive full Swarthmore College credit for acceptable work completed in Grenoble.

While in Grenoble, students live with French families and have their breakfasts and weekly evening meals in their home. Lunch and weekend meals can be purchased in the student restaurants. Group members are reimbursed at a set rate for these meals by the program. Participants are also reimbursed for cultural activities and a monthly bus and tramway pass. Athletic and craft activities as well as essential books are financed by the program. The Director organizes special excursions and serves also as a banker, distributing money for reimbursements on a regular basis. Students should have some money of their own for other personal needs and travel. Participants keep their rooms and receive their food allowance during vacations.

Mas de Pantaï, Provence

University and Academic Life

The Université de Grenoble was founded in 1339 and has grown to include three separate universities and numerous institutes. Located three kilometers from the center of Grenoble (where the original university buildings are located), the recently constructed campus has many modern facilities including a gymnasium and student restaurants. There are frequent buses and tramways to the campus from the center of Grenoble. An ultra modern tramway provides faster access to the Campus.

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Upon arrival, students take part in an orientation program. These sessions are designed to introduce them to French life and to provide intensive work in the French language. Students then begin regular courses in an individual program of study developed in conjunction with the Program Director. Each student is expected to complete the equivalent of four Swarthmore course credits (each course credit is the equivalent of 4 semester-hours), which may include a course conducted by the Program Director. Students may choose from among the many courses, all taught in French, offered by the program in conjonction with the Centre Universitaire d'Etudes Françaises (CUEF). These include courses in French language, linguistics, literature, cinema, and civilization. Depending on their level of language proficiency and their interests, students can also take regular University courses in such fields as literature, history, political science, art history, etc. The Program Director advises and tutoring is provided for each course taken.

Grenoble

Provence

Grenoble, a progressive metropolis at the foot of the Alps, provides an excellent opportunity to experience the old and the new of France. Founded before the time of the Roman Empire, Grenoble today is a lively medley of culture, industry, government, tourism and education. Led by a very active Maison de la Culture, which offers a wide range of films, theater productions, exhibitions, and concerts, Grenoble offers both traditional and avant-garde cultural opportunities. Students are also welcome to take part in the activities and trips organized by the CUEF and other University organizations.

Nice

Home of the 1968 Winter Olympics, Grenoble provides many chances for skiing and other winter sports. An excellent system of bus and train transportation permits weekend and vacation travel to the surrounding areas of the Alps, Lyon, Provence, the Cote d'Azur, Paris, as well as Italy, Spain, and Switzerland.

Application and Admission

The Swarthmore Program in Grenoble is open to qualified sophomores, juniors and seniors of Swarthmore College and comparable institutions. At least three semesters of college French or the equivalent is required as proof of language competence. An application form, including a transcript, references, and a medical form, must be completed and returned to Swarthmore College by March 15 for the fall semester and October 15 for the spring semester. There is a $30 application fee. Whithin 15 days of acceptance, a non-refundable advance deposit of $250 is required to reserve a place in the program. This deposit is credited against the bill for tuition room and board. The fee for the program is the same as the cost of tuition, room and board at Swarthmore College. There is the possibility for early decision for well-qualified candidates.

Recent offerings have included the following courses:

* Art : French , L'Impressionnisme , Histoire du cinéma français , Italian

* French Language and Literature : Travaux pratiques de langue française, Traduction, Stylistique, Littérature française du XVIIIe siècle, Littérature française du XIXe siècle, Littérature française du XXe siècle, Littératures francophones, Littérature française contemporaine, Poésie, Théâtre

* History : Société, cultures et mentalités dans la France moderne, Histoire du XIXe siècle en France, La France et l'Afrique: empire colonial, décolonisation et émergence du tiers monde, L'Entre-deux-guerres en Europe, Relations internationales entre les deux guerres, France contemporaine

* Political Science: Les Institutions de la Communauté européenne, Institutions et cultures politiques dans la France contemporaine