FRANCE - ISEP Université de Savoie: Language and Culture Program

To be eligible to participate in this program, students must meet the following requirements:

• Good academic and judicial standing during time of application AND time of participation in program
• Undergraduates must have completed at least two semesters of study at Lake Forest College AND have sophomore status or higher before participation. 
• At least 18 years of age by the program’s departure date. 
• Be able to stay at the host program for the duration of the semester, including through the exam and travel periods
• Minimum GPA of 2.75.  
• The student must submit ISEP language proficiency report in the application, even if native speaker.

Students applying to ISEP must apply for an Exchange option (in any country) as a first choice but may apply to a Direct option as a back-up. Direct options may have an additional cost (see a financial section for more information).

The two Savoyard departments, gateways to the French Alps yet benefitting from the warmer climate of the plains and France’s largest lakes, are bordered on the north by Switzerland and on the east by Italy. Savoie is about three hours from Paris and the Mediterranean coast. Tourists enjoy the area for its quality of life, magnificent natural surroundings, history and heritage, and breath-taking Alpine and cross-country skiing and water sports. Chambéry was the capital of the former Duchy of Savoie. Like Annecy 50 kilometers away, it combines the charm of an old city with the vibrancy of a modern economy. The Le Bourget campus is 10 kilometers from Chambéry.

Université de Savoie is a medium-sized university (12,000 students) with three campuses. Good facilities are offered (library, computing, sports, accommodation) along with special attention paid to assistance for induction, French language, “brush-up” sessions, help with administrative procedures, and organized visits to the region. 

The Université de Savoie offers a complete range of ISEP Exchange and Direct possibilities and provides a full and exciting program of complimentary cultural excursions and activities.

Language and Culture program. Focus on French courses at all language levels from beginner to advanced.  Students will enroll in classes according to their language level and will have a total of 180 contact hours which averages to 16-20 of class per week.

French language and culture courses are provided for beginner, intermediate, and advanced students. Courses aim to expand students’& knowledge of French culture while honing their reading, speaking, and listening skills. Students are placed in appropriate language levels according to a placement exam taken before arrival. Students can also enroll in up to two additional courses per week organized by the International Relations Office that is specifically designed for international students. In addition to these courses, one or two special seminars on aspects of French culture will be offered and three or four excursions and activities relating to aspects of French culture and contemporary life will be included in the program fee each semester. 

A typical program includes (15 hours/week for 12 weeks, roughly equivalent to 12 US credits; credits dependent upon home university’s calculation).  This is about equivalent to 3 Lake Forest credits.

Academic Environment and Teaching Style

Please understand that the academic system is quite different. Classes are usually lecture-based, instead of discussion or group work. Classes are often much larger than those found at Lake Forest College. Grades are based heavily, at times almost entirely, on one end-of-term exam, though some courses will also offer a midterm.  Professors are often more formal than those in the United States.

All courses/modules may have prerequisites.  Some departments may have limitations on numbers of courses that can be taken within or outside it.  Be aware of these limitations.

HINTS FOR RESEARCHING COURSES

A popular field of study on ISEP Exchange at the university is Modern Letters. Students can take French literature and grammar courses in this department. Click here for course offerings.

To find additional course descriptions, please follow the instructions by clicking the link “course information”.

Please review the ISEP country handbook for more information on the education system, grades, class hours, and classroom etiquette.

Université de Savoie is a medium-sized university (12,000 students) with three campuses. Good facilities are offered (library, computing, sports, accommodation) along with special attention paid to assistance for induction, French language, “brush-up” sessions, help with administrative procedures, and organized visits to the region. 

ORIENTATION

ISEP students receive a special orientation upon arrival that includes academic and administrative information and details about the various excursions and activities that take place during the semester. The International Office provides assistance and guidance regarding registration, academic affairs, an organization of classes, exams and grading systems, and all administrative procedures. The “Student Welcoming Committee” assigns a local student as a contact person, responsible for providing a campus tour, an introduction to sports and other activities on campus, integration with the cultural and social activities in the city, and contacts with the local student body. 

ARRIVAL DETAILS 

Host will provide arrival directions with acceptance packet. 

ISEP Direct 
Students are housed either shared apartments (private bedroom), or individual study bedroom with en-suite facilities. Meals are not included. 

For all approved programs for guaranteed financial aid transferability, students pay their Lake Forest College tuition plus a program fee. The program fee for ISEP Direct to Savoie includes housing, university fees, insurance, and some excursions. Meals are not included.

ISEP costs for Exchange are usually the most cost-effective, as it is intended to promote mobility of students around the world. Direct options are available for those students that prefer to attend a school with limited availability for Exchange, though costs may be different as they are set by the host school. For students that participate in ISEP Direct, the program fee includes all of the above plus insurance. However, the program fee may be different than that of Exchange.

Here is an estimated budget for the Fall 2018/Spring 2019 programs:

Tuition rates and program fees are subject to change each year, but this information was up-to-date as of January 2018. We will notify applicants, and update this page if the program fee or other estimates change.

You can discuss with Financial Aid your specific aid package and your expected family contribution.

Keep in mind that you may spend more or less in certain areas like personal expenses, travel, meals, or airfare, depending on exchange rates and your own spending habits. Classroom or lab fees are not included in this estimate and will depend on your course registration choices.