Wake Forest University

Department of Romance Languages

Semester-Abroad Program in Dijon

 

Overview

Each Fall, students have the opportunity to spend a semester studying French language and culture in Dijon, a beautiful medieval city - located in the heart of Burgundy - that was once home to the Dukes of Burgundy whose power rivaled that of the king of France. The students are accompanied by a member of the Wake Forest French staff who both teaches and is responsible for coordinating the various aspects of the program.

 

 

Duration

Students arrive in Dijon in late August. Courses and final exams end in mid-December.


Application Deadline

Interested students should submit their application for admission to the Director of the program by November 1. They will be notified of their status before the end of the Fall semester. If accepted, students will be asked to notify the Director of their decision before February 1 and, if they plan to participate, to submit a deposit of $500 that will be applied to the cost of the program.


Eligibility

Participants must be students in good academic standing who have completed French 213, Introduction to French Literature. It is strongly recommended that they will also have completed French 219, Review of Grammar and Composition. Students from other universities should check with their respective academic departments and Registrar's Offices about course approval and transfer credit.


Cost

The cost of the semester-abroad program in France is based on Wake Forest University fees for tuition, room, and board. The fees cover:
° Round-trip airfare (up to $1200)
° Tuition
° Housing
° Meals
° Group excursions
° Local transportation
° Books
° Laundry
° Internet connections

Instruction and Courses


In addition to the course taught by the Wake Forest professor, students take courses in French language and culture at the Centre International d'Etudes Françaises at the University of Burgundy, all of which are taught in French. Arrangements can also be made to take one course (taught in English) in Economics, Finance, or International Business at the Ecole Supérieure de Commerce de Dijon, one of France's premier grandes écoles. In addition, there are opportunities for courses in cooking and wine-tasting.

Accommodations

In August, students are housed in university accommodations, which gives them the opportunity to meet other international and French students. After September 1, they move in with their host families with whom they stay until the end of the semester.


Trips and Cultural Activities

As part of the academic program, a number of group excursions are planned by the Director, which allows students to visit places of cultural and historical interest that they will have been studying. These may include Paris, the Loire Valley, Normandy, Burgundy, and Provence. Other opportunities exist for students to attend plays, opera, and concerts.


Personal Travel

In addition to the group excursions, students are able to take advantage of a number of weekends to explore other areas of France or Europe on their own. Given its location, Dijon is a gateway to Switzerland and Italy and offers convenient access to Germany, England, Belgium, and Holland.