Students must apply for all study abroad programs through the VU International Studies Office. Return the completed appllication to the International Studies Office. Some programs may require that you complete additional applications, so inquire early.


PROGRAM
This exchange program was inaugurated in 2006.  Students take French-language and other classes along with French students at Université de Cergy-Pontoise, a university of 12,000 students, 14% of whom are international students from 35 countries around the globe. Each year, up to two students from Cergy will come to VU for the fall semester, and we will send up to two from VU to Cergy in the spring semester (beginning of February through the end of June).


LOCATION
Cergy-Pontoise is located just northwest of Paris, on the Seine, 40 minutes from le centre-ville by RER (suburban train). The RER station is a quick 5-minute walk from the Cergy campus.


WHY CHOOSE CERGY?
VU students may still choose the Central College or Boston University programs, but the Cergy program presents these advantages:

• students will be in a French University, with French students;

• students will work personally with the program coordinator, Prof. Marie-Pierre Arrizabalaga, who teaches American history in the Langues appliquées department. Prof. Arrizabalaga has worked with many international students and will help smooth the way for VU students;

• like the other programs, all credits are VU credits; no transfer problems;

• you can get to know students from Cergy here on campus during the fall semester, before you go to France;

• in Cergy, students will get to know other European students as well, who are at Cergy on the Erasmus European cooperative university program.


COURSES
Students will take 9 credits of French-as-a-second-language (FLE) courses (oral, written, grammar) at the appropriate level, and two other courses in French civilization, politics, history, literature, etc., according to what is available and what your interests are. All will be considered to be VU credits, and will count toward the French major or minor, toward General Education, or as elective credit.


LODGING
VU students are housed in one of several residence halls very near campus. There are restaurants universitaires on campus, but kitchens are also available in the dorms, as are nearby shops where you may purchase food and other supplies. With Professor Arrizabalaga, we will help you to arrange for the housing.