Co-op Agreements

Paris, France Internship

Who?

You must have completed French 204 (fourth semester French) and be a sophomore or above (start inquiring freshman and sophomore years).
You must be approved by the French section (this does not mean that you must be a French major or minor!). Since you will be working in an internship, you need to have strong French language skills before departure for France.
You must be accepted by the Boston University Program.
To participate as a VU student (i.e., the credits you earn are considered as VU credits rather than transfer credits), you must have a 3.0 overall GPA.

What?

One semester (fall or spring) of study and work at the Boston University Study Center and your internship site in Paris.
You spend the first eight weeks in courses at the Boston University Center. You will have a French language course at the level appropriate for you, and will choose two of the following courses: Paris Politique, Economic Development of Europe, Art and Architecture, and Paris aujourd'hui. During the second eight weeks, you work full-time at your internship position.
The internship will be in the sector of your choice, chosen from among:

Advertising & Public Relations
Arts & Art Administration
Business & Economics
Film & Television
Human & Health Services
Hospitality Administration
Journalism – Int’l Organizations
Politics

You will attend your internship full-time, Monday through Friday. Past internships have been at Antenne 2 Télévision, Ministère de la Santé, Salon des Artistes Décorateurs, and Barclays Bank, among many others.

All courses are conducted in French. The entire semester program totals 16 credit hours.
Several excursions to theater and cinema are included.

Where?

The Boston University Paris Internship Program offices and classrooms are located on the Left Bank of the Seine near the Eiffel Tower.

Students may live with a French family, or may be housed in a French student residence hall. Students live in many different parts of the city and close suburbs.

How?

Consult with your academic advisor and with one of the French professors as early as possible. Freshman year is not too early to begin planning, to be sure that your Paris courses are courses you will need at Valpo for your major, minor or general education requirements, and that you will complete your degree program in four years. If you are not a French major, talk with your academic advisor to find out how credits from your internship might apply to your major program.
Obtain an application form from the International Studies Office (137 Meier Hall).

How Much?

Basic Cost: Participants in the Paris Internship program pay Boston University’s tuition and fees (including tuition, housing, and internship) and the VU general fee. BU’s fees are comparable to the cost at VU for a semester.

Air fare: Students can expect to spend in the neighborhood of $800-$1300 for travel to and from France. Many of the discount flights described in newspapers are not useful for a semester abroad, since they are for short-term stays.

Board: You will take some meals with your homestay family. You may also eat in any of many student cafeterias. Count on spending several hundred dollars for meals.

Spending Money: Count on spending at least as much (probably more) as you do in Valpo for miscellaneous items, and then add on for any travel you might plan. You will also need such items as a monthly Metro (subway) pass.

Contacts:

Professor Duvick Associate Professor of French Meier 113 x 5169
Dr. McGuigan Director, International Studies Meier 137 x 5333
Holly Singh Associate Director, International Studies Meier 137 x 5333

VU International Studies Office: studyabroad@valpo.edu

Boston University: Paris

website: www.bu-paris.com/

Apply now!

Download an application in Adobe PDF or Microsoft Word format. Fill out and return to the International Studies Office. It's that simple!