Harvard Summer Program in Paris, France
French language and culture in the City of Light
Faculty: Marie-France Bunting and Carole Bergin
(8 credits: UN, GR) Limited enrollment
Dates: June 14–July 19, 2008
Application deadline: March 3
Cost: $7,000
The Harvard Summer Program in Paris features a third-year-level French course on the history, culture, and literature of Paris. By participating in language sessions, film screenings, lectures with guest speakers, and numerous instructional excursions, students expand and strengthen their linguistic skills and acquire a better understanding of the reality of Paris, past and present, and of the rich French cultural traditions. Besides classroom sessions, students are encouraged to explore Paris and encounter Parisians so that, ultimately, Paris itself becomes the classroom.
The program also includes mini-internships with Parisians in a variety of workplaces, dinner with French families, optional cooking lessons, an evening at the Opera or at a major national theater, and daytrips to important nearby historical and artistic sites such as Versailles, Fontainebleau, Chartres, Saint-Denis, Auvers-sur-Oise, and La Malmaison.
Course of Study
FREN S-32 Study Abroad in Paris: An Exploration of Paris
Marie-France Bunting and Carole Bergin
This course includes discussions of literary and cultural texts about Paris, grammar review, and writing and pronunciation exercises. At the end of the course, students should attain an advanced linguistic level and a better understanding of French culture. They will be able to pursue their study of French at Harvard by taking language classes at the 40/50 level or literature classes at the 70/100 level.
Prerequisites: for Harvard College students, completion of French Cb, French 25, French 27, or French 31 or a minimum score of 660 on the Harvard placement test; for non-Harvard students, two years of college French
Course Credit
For Harvard College students, this program counts as two half-year courses (4 credits each) of degree credit.
Transfer credit. Harvard Summer School courses and credits are accepted toward degrees at most colleges and universities. Since degree requirements vary among schools, students are advised to obtain transfer credit approval from their home institutions before registering for Harvard Summer School courses.
Faculty
Marie-France Bunting, Senior Preceptor, Department of Romance Languages and Literatures and Undergraduate Adviser in French, Harvard University
Carole Bergin, Preceptor, Department of Romance Languages and Literatures, Harvard University
Application
Students must be at least 18 years old to apply. The application materials, outlined below, are due March 3:
- an application form (download* form)
- official transcripts (sent directly from schools to the address below; unofficial copies not accepted)
- a $50 nonrefundable application fee
- a supplementary statement describing coursework in French, travel experience abroad (not a prerequisite), and interest in the program
Applications should be addressed as follows:
Nicole García
Office of International Programs
University Hall, Ground Floor South
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA 02138 USA
Students are notified of admission decisions by mid-March.
Cost
The cost of the program is $7,000, plus a nonrefundable $50 application fee. In addition, students are responsible for a health insurance fee (approximately $150; waived if students have US insurance that provides coverage outside the United States) and for transportation to and from Paris. The program fee covers the following:
- tuition
- room and some meals
- excursions (including meals when appropriate)
Payment Deadlines
For admitted students, a nonrefundable deposit of $700 must be received by April 15 to secure a place in the program. Payment in full is due by May 15. A $100 late fee will be charged for payments received after this date.
Funding
Harvard College students are eligible for scholarships through the Harvard Office for International Programs (OIP). Students may consult the OIP website’s money page or contact the OIP for details. To apply for a study abroad scholarship through OIP, you will need to provide information about the program’s budget. Download* the program budget.
The Harvard College Financial Aid Office summer study webpage also provides information about assistance.
Other Harvard students may be eligible for financial assistance through their Harvard financial aid offices. Students enrolled at other institutions should consult their respective financial aid offices.
Accommodations
Students stay at the FIAP (Center Jean Monnet) in Paris. All rooms are doubles with private baths and include breakfast and one other meal a day.
Additional Information
Contact Marie-France Bunting, bunting@fas.harvard.edu.
Students with disabilities should contact the disability services coordinator as soon as possible: (617) 495-0977, (617) 495-9419 (TTY), or disabilities@dcemail.harvard.edu. Request-for-accommodation forms and supporting diagnostic documentation must be submitted by April 25. More information about disability services, including request forms and guidelines for documentation, will be online by early February 2008.
Students applying for admission to Harvard’s study abroad programs should understand that although the University provides reasonable assistance and support to facilitate the participation of qualified students in its programs (including students with disabilities and health impairments), some of our programs are located in parts of the world where accommodations may not be readily available. Students are encouraged to be forthcoming with the disability services coordinator about any specific needs and functional limitations so that the Summer School can collaborate with those students in a way that fosters their safe participation and allows them to fully appreciate any barriers that they may face, depending on the location and rigors of the particular program.
Harvard Summer School is aware of the risks associated with international travel. Should the US Department of State issue a travel warning for any of the countries in which a study abroad program is planned, the program in that country may be canceled.
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