Caen
Situated on the banks of the Orne, the city of Caen is located within the province of Normandy in the northwest of France. The city of Caen has a population of 200,000 and has a unique blend of fascinating history and vibrant present. In Caen there are numerous houses and buildings that survived World War II bombing and date back to the 11th century. Nearby there are vast military cemeteries and monuments to the D-Day invasion, the castle of William the Conqueror, and the magnificent Mont Saint-Michel. L'Université de Caen Basse-Normandie is the centerpiece of a city that has a lively nightlife, wealth of cultural attractions (museums, concerts, monuments, historical sites), and numerous cafes and restaurants.
Normandy
Normandy is a province of many faces. Its history is both intriguing and frightening. It came into being in 911 A.D. when Rollo, Chief of the Vikings, won the territory in a treaty from the King of France, Charles III. In the 11th century Rollo's descendant William the Conqueror ruled over this coveted land, building castles, churches and abbeys to assert his authority. William left from Caen in 1066 to cross the English Channel and win the crown of England. Students can fully appreciate this moment in history when they see the fascinating Bayeux Tapestry and walk through the ruins of William's castle in Caen. The power of the 12th century Church comes to life when exploring the magnificent abbey of Mont St-Michel. Students can also see American 20th century war history when they visit the 9,385 marble crosses in the American Cemetery at Omaha Beach.
Normandy also has a much softer face. It has beautiful, peaceful gardens and chateaux. From ultra-modern Le Tréport to the Mont-Saint-Michel, the Normandy coast exhibits an astonishing variety of landscapes. It has quaint harbors on the Channel, striking cliffs, and picturesque medieval villages with half-timbered houses. On its rolling green hills graze the sheep, cows and goats that give us that incomparable Normandy cheese.
Program Offerings
Students studying at l'Université de Caen will take French courses for foreigners through the Centre d'Enseignment du Francais pour Etrangers (CEFE) with hundreds of exchange students from around the world. Students take classes at a level designated by their French language ability. Students can either begin learning French or continue their French Language acquisition.
Beginning French students are usually placed in either the A1 or A2 levels. Students should note that classes at these levels will transfer back to Millersville as a lump-sum 15 credits of FREN 1XX on a Pass/Fail basis. This is only for levels A1 and A2. For all other levels, individual classes are transferred and regular MU transfer policies apply.
Advanced French students who test out of the CEFE program will have the opportunity to take many regular courses with their university peers, however they are still required to take one French language course. Classes are available in Philosophy, Education, Psychology, Foreign Language, Law, Intensive French, Political Science, General Sciences, Math, History, Economics, Literature, Geography, and Business Administration and Management.
Regardless of which program you are in, all MU students in Caen are registered for 12-15 credits a semester.
Cost
Students pay MU tuition, room and board and the Millersville general and tech fees directly to Millersville. There is an additional non-refundable, non-transferable $400.00 MU program participation fee paid directly to Millersville with the $40 application fee, due at time of application.
These charges do not include passport and visa fees, airfare, books and supplies, or incidental expenses such as laundry, personal travel or entertainment.
Below is an estimated worksheet of costs for a semester at Caen.
Caen Cost Worksheet Fall 2009 [pdf]
Caen Cost Worksheet Spring 2010 [pdf]
Financial Assistance
Students should investigate loans that may be available, such as application for Federal Student Aid. Scholarships have individual regulations and students should contact the Financial Aid Office to determine if their scholarship is transferable. Students can look into grants such as the Rotary Scholarships which cover expenses, including tuition, room and board, and airfare. This scholarship form must be completed one to one-and-one-half years in advance and is available from any Rotary Club. Another option is to research online or stop by our office for additional opportunities. Please see Financial Considerations for more information.
Dates
Students may choose to study at l'Université de Caen Basse-Normandie for the spring semester or for a full academic year. Fall semester study is only for students not returning to Millersville for the spring semester. The fall semester begins in early October and ends in late January, and the spring semester begins in early February and ends in late May. Students may also study abroad in the summer for an intensive French language study program. Students must plan to arrive in Caen early to participate in a weeklong orientation for international students.
Accommodation
L'Université de Caen offers accommodation in University residences where students will have their own dorm room. Students will be provided with a monthly stipend for food which can be used in the campus cafeteria or elsewhere in Caen. Cafeteria meals cost between 3-5 euros a meal.
Eligibility
Most students who study abroad are traditionally juniors. However, Millersville students can and do study abroad anytime after they have completed their first year and have 24 credits. A limited number of participants are accepted for exchange each year, and the selection may be competitive. Students should complete the application for direct student exchange one semester before wishing to go abroad. Please stop by the Office of Global Education & Partnerships to pick up an application and ask about deadlines. Students planning to study at l'Université de Caen must demonstrate a minimum proficiency in the French language equivalent to MU's French 202. A minimum of a 2.0 GPA and two letters of recommendation are required from MU professors. The director of Global Education & Partnerships will then interview students and a selection will be made shortly after the interviews are completed.
Transfer of Credit
Students should work with their advisors to select courses which will fit into their major(s), minor(s), and General Education requirements, if appropriate.
A Request for Study Abroad Resident Credits form, available in the Office of Global Education & Partnerships, must be completed before the student leaves. After the study abroad program is completed and a transcript is sent to Millersville University, the Registrar's Office determines the final transfer of credit. All courses taken at l'Université de Caen will come back to Millersville as transfer credit. Please consult the Undergraduate Catalog ("Transfer Credit") for the transfer policy.
To Apply
Once you have thoroughly read through the above information and addressed any questions/concerns with: parents or decision-making parties, advisor(s), and the Office of Global Education, you may follow the instructions below.
READ THE DIRECTIONS BELOW BEFORE BEGINNING THE APPLICATION.
IMPORTANT: Please carefully read the eligibility requirements on the first page to ensure you have meet the necessary minimum requirements. Type directly into each page of the application, including the recommendation forms. You will be able to save the document on your computer and resume in more than one sitting if necessary. Once the entire application is complete, please print it out, sign and date on the appropriate pages, and submit to the Office of Global Education. The application checklist on the second page is there for your convenience - incomplete applications will NOT be accepted.
**YOU MAY ONLY APPLY FOR ONE STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM PER SEMESTER**
For the STUDENT: Caen Application [pdf]
Please type directly into this document.
The Recommendation Forms below is for EVALUATOR USE ONLY. The student's portion of the evaluation is included in the application and should be submitted to the recommendor BEFORE he/she completes the following document(s).
For the FOREIGN LANGUAGE EVALUATOR:
Caen FOREIGN LANGUAGE Recommendation Form [pdf]
Please type directly into this document.
OR
For the STANDARD EVALUATOR:
Caen STANDARD Recommendation Form [pdf]
Please type directly into this document. |
