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Middlebury School in France
Centre Madeleine
23 rue d’Anjou - 75008 Paris
Tel: 011.33.1.43.20.70.57 ; From within France: 01.43.20.70.57
http://www.middlebury.edu/study-abroad/france
Blog: http://sites.middlebury.edu/schoolinfrance/
Office Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Director, Graduate Advisor, and Bordeaux/Poitiers Program Advisor
David Paoli
dpaoli@middlebury.edu
Associate Director and Paris Undergraduate Program Advisor
Amy Tondu
atondu@middlebury.edu
Student Life Assistant, Paris
Lucy King’oo
lkingoo@middlebury.edu
Student Life Coordinator, Bordeaux & Poitiers
Delphine Delcros
ddelcros@middlebury.edu
Administrative Assistant
Patricia Lemeunier
plemeuni@middlebury.edu
Advisor for the School in France,
International Programs
Susan Parsons
sparsons@middlebury.edu
French School Coordinator
Sheila Schwaneflugel
sschwaneflugel@middlebury.edu
Please note: Information in this handbook is subject to change.
Copyright 2015 by Middlebury College.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by
any means, electronic, mechanical, photographic or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Middlebury College.
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Bienvenue à l’Ecole en France de Middlebury College !
Congratulations on your decision to study at the Université de Paris through the Middlebury College
School in France. I would like to personally welcome you and invite you to make the most of your
time abroad.
Along with its benefits, life abroad can present challenges. It requires independence, maturity, and a
sense of humor that will enable you to accept the inevitable difficulties and frustrations that go along
with living in a different culture. Honoring Middlebury’s Language Pledge is essential for you to take
full advantage of your experience in France.
You should not expect to find at the School in France the same academic nor social environment you
have on U.S. campuses. For instance, be prepared to change some of your study habits, and to adjust
to an environment that will seem less structured than the one you are used to.
Once you’re in France, the success of your stay depends mostly on your own initiative. Your
experience in France will test you in new ways and will reward you beyond your expectations. Not
knowing initially how everything works shouldn’t hold you back. Going abroad is not about
“knowing” but about “finding out”.
The School in France staff has prepared this Handbook to assist you as you make preliminary
preparations for study in France. You should find answers to many of your basic questions in the
material presented here, and so we ask that you review it very carefully and bring it along to Paris.
This handbook is meant to be read and used in conjunction with the Guidelines for Studying with a
Middlebury Graduate School Abroad Handbook.
As you prepare for your experience abroad, please remember that our offices always welcome your
emails, phone calls, and inquiries.
Best wishes as you head out on this exciting adventure! We look forward to meeting you in Paris
soon!
A bientôt à Paris !
David Paoli
Associate Professor and Director
School in France
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Table of Contents
Pre-Departure Information................................................................................................................................. 6
Approximate Program Costs ......................................................................................................................... 6
Expenses ........................................................................................................................................................... 6
Student Visas .................................................................................................................................................... 6
Customs ............................................................................................................................................................ 7
International Students Studying Abroad...................................................................................................... 8
Registering with the Department of State ................................................................................................... 8
Travel to France............................................................................................................................................... 8
Checklist of things to pack............................................................................................................................. 9
General Packing Suggestions ......................................................................................................................... 9
Pre-departure Orientation ............................................................................................................................11
Arrival In France ................................................................................................................................................12
Immigration ....................................................................................................................................................12
How to get to Downtown Paris from the Airport...................................................................................12
Getting Settled ...............................................................................................................................................13
Temporary Lodging ......................................................................................................................................13
On-Site Orientation ......................................................................................................................................15
Academic Matters ...............................................................................................................................................16
M.A in French with a year in Paris .............................................................................................................16
Selection of Courses......................................................................................................................................19
Advising and Registration ............................................................................................................................19
Academic Support in Paris...........................................................................................................................20
Resources ........................................................................................................................................................20
Grades and Grade Conversion....................................................................................................................20
Program Policies ............................................................................................................................................21
French-Style Education ................................................................................................................................23
Learning Outside the Classroom ................................................................................................................25
Living in France ..................................................................................................................................................25
Validating your visa .......................................................................................................................................25
Housing ...........................................................................................................................................................26
Renter’s Insurance .........................................................................................................................................28
Meeting the French .......................................................................................................................................29
Eating in France.............................................................................................................................................30
Local Transportation ....................................................................................................................................30
Traveling within France ................................................................................................................................30
Traveling in Europe ......................................................................................................................................32
Health & Safety ...................................................................................................................................................33
Sexual Assault & Harassment ......................................................................................................................33
Drugs ...............................................................................................................................................................33
Water ...............................................................................................................................................................34
Safety Tips for France...................................................................................................................................34
Hospitals & Medical Services ......................................................................................................................34
Psychological Health and Counseling ........................................................................................................35
On-Site Money Matters .....................................................................................................................................35
Currency Exchange .......................................................................................................................................35
Money &Banking...........................................................................................................................................35
Emergency Cash ............................................................................................................................................36
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Credit/Debit Cards .......................................................................................................................................36
Working in France .........................................................................................................................................37
Communication with Home & Friends ..........................................................................................................37
Communication and Immersion .................................................................................................................37
Language Pledge ............................................................................................................................................37
Mail ..................................................................................................................................................................37
Internet & E-Mail ..........................................................................................................................................38
Skype................................................................................................................................................................39
Phones .............................................................................................................................................................39
Fax/Xerox ......................................................................................................................................................39
Emergency Numbers .........................................................................................................................................40
US Embassy Contact .........................................................................................................................................40
Local Information ..............................................................................................................................................41
Academic Calendar 2015-16 .............................................................................................................................44
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Pre-Departure Information
Approximate Program Costs
An estimate of program costs (as of February 2015) can be found here. Please remember that
Middlebury College only bills you for tuition; the remaining expenses will be out-of-pocket. For
financial aid purposes an exchange rate of €1 = $1.30 is used. Costs may vary depending on
individual lifestyles and situations. Please note that the “Personal” figure covers some basic
necessities (e.g. local transportation, cell phone, bank fees, program-sponsored excursions, etc.) and
does not, and is not intended to include students’ discretionary spending (e.g., entertainment, fitness,
and travel).
Fluctuating exchange rates make advanced planning of costs challenging. We advise that you
overestimate your costs to accommodate these fluctuations. Please be sure to confirm the exchange
rate
shortly
before
your
departure
so
that
you
budget
accordingly.
Expenses
Keep in mind that the amount of money you spend ultimately depends on the lifestyle you choose.
Remember to budget extra for first month’s expenses in France (e.g., first month’s rent,
communication, transportation, museum passes, personal items), and if you are planning to travel
before or after your program. Several airlines now offer low fares for specific travel periods. If you
are accustomed to spending more on leisure activities, please account for this when budgeting your
money for the semester or year. Students who plan on regularly sampling the nightlife should budget
extra money for taxis. Public transportation usually stops operating around 1:00 a.m.
Student Visas
All students are required to obtain a student visa before they enter France (except those with
European Union passports). Additionally, all students are required to register with CampusFrance
prior to applying for a student visa for France. Please note: International students who are applying
for their visa outside the U.S. may or may not have to register with CampusFrance -- check the
CampusFrance website for your home country. After you register online and submit all necessary
fees and documentation, CampusFrance will send you a receipt of payment and an “attestation” that
you must take to the French Consulate when you apply for your student visa.
Please view the “France Visa Instructions” document under the Learning Content tab of your online
account at https://studyabroad.middlebury.edu.
For more information about CampusFrance, please visit: http://www.campusfrance.org/
Visas are affixed into passports and must be obtained at a French Embassy or Consulate. Students
should apply for a long stay (over 90 days) student visa (also referred to as the VLS TS visa).
Do not apply for a regular long stay visa; follow the student requirements instead.
All students studying in France for one semester or a full academic year must apply for a Long Stay
student visa; they will then be required to validate their VLS TS visas upon arrival in France. Students
will receive assistance with the application to validate their long stay student visas from the School in
France during orientation.
The French Consulate in Boston knows our program and is prepared to handle applications provided
the dossier is complete. If you will apply in Boston, be sure to list your Middlebury mailing address
in your CampusFrance registration if you’re not a New England resident so that you are able to apply
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there. You must apply for your student visa in-person, and you must schedule a visa appointment
online. Be sure not to leave this until the last minute. Given past visa application delays, we
recommend that you begin the process at least 2 months prior to departure. In any event, be sure to
find out well ahead of time what documentation you will be required to provide to the consulate in
question. Important: It is impossible to obtain a student visa after arrival in France.
In general, you will be required to submit the following in order to obtain the long stay student visa
from the French consulate:
(1) 1 legible photocopy of identification pages of passport
(2) 2 French-format photos [3,5cm x 4,5cm]; no head accessories or eyeglasses. (Scanned photos
will not be accepted)
(3) Financial guarantee letter signed by a notary public or a statement from the Financial Aid
office
(4) Letter of acceptance to a French university from Middlebury
(5) Some consulates ask for proof of insurance from HTH Worldwide [letter from HTH +
insurance card]
(6) Some consulates as for proof of residence/housing in France
(7) Some consulates ask for a flight ticket or photocopy (NY)
(8) Campus France ID number, attestation, and proof of payment
(9) Residence form for OFII
*** Please do not forget to bring with you the questionnaire entitled “Visa de long séjour –
Demande d’Attestation OFII” that the consulate gives you when you receive your visa. You will
need to submit this questionnaire to French immigration authorities when you arrive in
France.
If it is not convenient for you to obtain your visa through the French Consulate in Boston, you
should contact the consulate office located closest to your permanent address to find out what the
requirements are and how to proceed.
For a listing of French consulates in the U.S., please visit http://www.ambafranceus.org/spip.php?article330.
Customs
If you plan to bring any new, non-U.S.-made articles of value, such as cameras, MP3 players,
computers, bicycles, or jewelry that are LESS THAN 6 MONTHS OLD, you should register them
with U.S. Customs and Border Protection before departure (CBP Form 4457). Alternatively, you can
carry your original sales receipts to prove that you purchased them in the U.S. This avoids your
having to pay a duty upon your return. Customs regulations vary from country to country; there are
usually limitations on liquor, cigarettes, and other goods.
To register your items, download and complete the form available online at
http://forms.cbp.gov/pdf/CBP_Form_4457.pdf and present it with your items to a Customs and
Border Patrol Officer at an international airport.
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International Students Studying Abroad
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) require re-entry documents for some foreign
nationals. If you are living in the U.S. but are a citizen of another country, check with the USCIS to
determine the regulations that apply to you and be sure to obtain all necessary re-entry documents
before you leave the United States.
Registering with the Department of State
All program participants will be registered at the US Embassy by the School in France staff soon
after arrival in France. In the event of international, political, or family emergencies, or in the event
that a passport is lost or stolen, the U.S. Embassy will be much better able to assist students who
have enrolled in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). Please visit the Department of
State’s website for information:
https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/.
Non US nationals should check to see if it is possible to register with their own embassy in France.
Travel to France
Students are responsible for their own travel arrangements. We recommend using a student travel
agency for flexibility and the best rates:
STA Travel: http://www.statravel.com
StudentUniverse: http://www.studentuniverse.com
Travel CUTS: http://www.travelcuts.com
Please consult the School in France calendars in the back of this handbook or online at
http://www.middlebury.edu/ls/grad_programs/french/program_tracks/paris/calendar before
planning your travel dates. We recommend that you arrive in Paris a few days before the first meeting
in order to become familiar with and adjust to your new surroundings.
It is especially important that you not plan your return to the United States nor travel to another
destination before the date of the last final exam. Exam dates cannot be changed to
accommodate students’ travel plans. No exceptions will be made, so please don’t ask.
TSA Regulations
The Transportation Security Administration regulates which items may be carried aboard aircrafts
and these regulations are subject to change. Therefore, you should consult their website close to your
date of departure: http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information
N.B. Possessing certain items while going through security may result in fines of $250 - $1500 or, in
the case of firearms, may be considered a criminal offense.
Airline Luggage Regulations
You should contact your airline to confirm exact luggage allowances. We strongly suggest you stick
to these guidelines, or be prepared to pay excess baggage fees, which can be quite expensive. Check
whether your luggage is limited by weight or by piece.
We also suggest that you consider insuring your luggage through a comprehensive travel insurance
policy. Some travel insurance is included under the HTH Worldwide policy. Please consult their
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website to find out more. If in the event you are covered by your parents’ policy, please confirm
beforehand. Travel insurance options can be researched at: http://www.insuremytrip.com
Checklist of items to pack
•
Guidelines for Studying with a Middlebury Graduate School Abroad & School in France
Graduate Handbook
•
Passport and Student Visa [+ 3 copies]
•
Airline ticket/itinerary [+ copies)
•
International Student Identity Card (optional): http://www.isic.org
•
Calling card for emergencies. It is easy to buy cheap pre-paid calling cards when you get to
Paris. Please inquire.
•
Debit/Credit cards
•
Medications in their original containers [we recommend packing a copy of your prescription(s)
with your medication for customs officials]
*** Please do not forget to bring the questionnaire entitled “Visa de long séjour – Demande
d’Attestation OFII” that the consulate gives you when you receive your visa. You will need to
submit this questionnaire to French immigration authorities when you arrive in France.
General Packing Suggestions
Plan carefully what to bring, keeping in mind that you will have to carry your luggage while traveling.
This means, as the saying goes, “TRAVEL LIGHT.” We cannot emphasize this strongly enough!
Choose each item carefully and avoid duplication.
As you pack for the flight over, keep in mind that you will be carrying your luggage by yourself,
sometimes over great distances, up and down sets of stairs, or on crowded trains. Remember not all
buildings in France have elevators. Avoid using extra large or oversized bags. Take things that are
easy to manage and avoid over-packing. One rule of thumb is to pack your bags and walk around the
block three times with your bags; then re-pack. Do not pack a lot of books in your luggage. You can
buy them in France and send them home after the term ends.
Consider sending excess luggage (e.g., winter clothing) by air freight. If you have clothing sent to you,
be sure to indicate on the customs slip that you are a student and that you are sending used clothing
(vêtements usagés). Otherwise, you will be charged a stiff customs fee as though you were importing
new clothing. Likewise, if you are sending other objects, include a photocopy of the receipt, showing
that it is not a new article. We DO NOT recommend shipping laptop computers and/or
printers. Bring these with you!
After your year abroad in France, you may be able to take advantage of group airfreight rates to send
boxes back to the U.S. La Poste also has low fees for sending books (5kg per box).
Clothing
In Paris the weather is humid and damp. Temperatures occasionally get down to 20-25 degrees
Fahrenheit. Lodgings will usually maintain a temperature of 65-68 degrees in the winter. Bring a good
winter coat and/or warm raincoat, an umbrella, sweaters, and good walking shoes. Try not to bring
too many clothes as closet space is limited and dry cleaning and laundries are expensive.
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Linens
Bed linens and towels are generally provided for students staying with host families as well as those
renting a studio or an apartment. If upon arrival you notice that sheets and towels were not provided
for you, please notify the Student Life Coordinator, who will make the necessary arrangements. You
may want to consider bringing a face and body towel with you, which should suffice until you are
able to purchase more. Some foyers (the Oasis, Société Philanthropique for example) will ask students to
bring their own towels and a set of sheets for their bed (twin extra- long). You can always buy these
items upon arrival (recommended).
Toiletries
If you are particular about brands, you may want to pack an appropriate supply of the articles you
regularly use. However, be sure to respect travel regulations regarding the transport of liquids when
packing: http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/3-1-1-liquids-rule.
Prescriptions
If you are taking any medication that is not available in France, you should take a full supply of what
you will need with you on the plane together with all the appropriate prescriptions. Mailing medicines
across international borders is complex. However, if you happen to need an additional supply of
medication while in France, make sure to contact ANSM (Agence nationale de sécurité du médicament et des
produits de santé) in order to obtain an official certification allowing your parents to send you the medication
needed across international borders. For more information: http://ansm.sante.fr/. Please contact the
School in France coordinator at Middlebury if you have questions, or the School in France staff.
In order to get an authorization to import medication, you’ll need:
• a letter explaining why you need medication sent to you
• medicine name (GENERIC) and dosage needed
• labeling and any other relevant information
• expediter’s contact information
When traveling, prescription medicines should be left in the original containers. It is also suggested
that you carry the original prescription or a note from your doctor to avoid having to answer
questions from the authorities. Please also note that in the event that you must refill or replace a
prescription in France, you should have the GENERIC NAME of your medication on the
prescription, in addition to the American 'brand' name.
If you are under a doctor’s care for a specific condition, you may want to bring a copy of your
medical history with you or sign a release form with your doctor in case your medical history needs
to be sent to a doctor in France.
Electrical Appliances
The electrical current in Europe is 220 volts/50 cycles rather than the 110/60 cycles found in the
United States. You should make sure that any appliance you bring is 110/220 compatible (50/60
cycle). Transformers and adapter plugs are available in France, but it is possible to buy them in the
U.S. before you leave. U.S. transformers, for example, are lighter and cost less. Occasionally, even
though a transformer is used, an appliance may not work properly or could blow a fuse. Because of
this difficulty and because of their weight and bulk, you may want to leave most electrical appliances
at home and buy in France those that you find absolutely necessary. Some electrical appliances can be
bought in France inexpensively (e.g., hairdryers, speakers).
Most electronic equipment, such as computers and camera battery-chargers, have an automatic
110V/220V current adapter, in which case, only a wall outlet adapter is needed.
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Technology
We highly recommend that you bring a laptop computer with you. In the past, this has proven to be
extremely convenient for students writing their M.A. thesis or dissertation.
You should be aware that computer resources in France are more limited than in the U.S. and the
hours during which the computers are available are necessarily limited. A laptop that can function on
220 volts is an excellent solution if you prefer to do your work at night or on weekends. However,
you should also be aware of the risk of theft associated with this option.
There are several computers (iMacs), internet hook-ups, and a laser printer for academic use at the
Centre Madeleine in Paris. If your laptop has a Wi-Fi card, you will be able to connect to the
Internet from the Centre Madeleine. If it doesn’t, you may buy an external Wi-Fi card in France.
Please note that there is an 802.11g type wireless network at the Centre Madeleine. If you decide to
obtain an external wireless access card, make sure that it is compatible with this network.
If you are bringing a laptop, we strongly advise you carry it on to the plane. This is by far the safest
way to transport it. Be sure to have with you the bill showing the value of the computer, and that it
was purchased in the U.S. You should benefit from a franchise and not have to pay duty to bring your
personal computer into France, but you may have to affirm in writing that you will not sell the
computer in France. If the computer was not manufactured in the U.S., be sure to register it with
U.S. customs officials before leaving France in order to bring it back without paying duty (see section
on “Customs”).
Gifts
If you are planning to live with French hosts you may wish to present them with a gift. Select
something that has significance to you, and is packable and light. Consider the following gifts:
• Books - with photos (e.g., coffee table book)
• CDs of current American music and your favorite songs/artists
• Small souvenirs from the U.S.: postcards, buttons, pins, stickers, stamps, small crafts
• Regional items that one would associate with your region, state, city or town (e.g., maple
syrup, saltwater taffy)
DON’T FORGET PHOTOS. Your friends and/or your host(s) will be interested in where you
come from: your family, town, friends, and school. Take pictures that help explain parts of your life
in the U.S.
Pre-departure Orientation
The director of the School in France will hold a pre-departure orientation meeting during the
summer session at the French School in Middlebury, Vermont. If you are not on campus the
summer prior to your year in France, you will receive the materials distributed during this meeting by
email and should feel free to contact the Office of International Programs and Off-Campus Study
with questions. ORIENTATION SESSIONS ARE MANDATORY FOR ALL STUDENTS IN
VERMONT IN THE SUMMER.
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Arrival In France
Immigration
You must validate your visa upon arrival in France. You may not
ignore this process. Please pay close attention at the Visa meeting
at the start of the semester so that Middlebury in France can help
you determine which steps to take. Although it is preferable you
arrive in France, you may arrive in any EU country. Do not
forget to make sure you get your passport stamped with the date
at customs. Sometimes they do not stamp, and this could prove
problematic later on.
Our staff in France will assist you in completing the process of
applying for your permit of stay after you’ve settled in.
How to get to Downtown Paris from the Airport
Below is a list of transportation options for traveling from the two main Parisian airports into the
city. Prices and availability are subject to change.
From Roissy-Charles de Gaulle (CDG):
RER line B to center-city Paris “Chatelet” station. Cost: €9.10, one-way; is the quickest and probably
the easiest way to get to center-city Paris, if you don’t have a lot of luggage to carry.
Roissy-Bus to “Opéra” metro station on rue Scribe: Cost: €11, one-way. It can take you
approximately 60 minutes to get from the airport to the Opera neighborhood. Buses run every 15
minutes between 6am and 11pm. For more information: http://www.ratp.fr/
Autobus Air France express shuttle service from CDG to the city center:
http://www.lescarsairfrance.com/ Line 2 to Etoile or Porte Maillot: €17 (one-way)
Line 4 to Montparnasse or Gare de Lyon: €17.50 (one-way)
http://www.aeroportsdeparis.fr/ADP/fr-FR/Passagers/Acces-Plans-Parking/ParisCDG/Acces/Transports-En-Commun/paris-cdg-car-air-france.htm
Taxi: €50 to €60 (3 people maximum); €2.50 extra for 4th person + additional charge for luggage,
when there’s more than two bags/suitcases.
There are also several shuttle services that can pick you up at the gate closest to your baggage claim
and take you to your address in Paris. The shuttles' rates are flat rates regardless of the amount of
time it takes the driver to take the passengers to their final destination in Paris. Reservations are
required at least one week in advance and there is no extra charge for luggage.
Regarding payment for shuttle service, all online bookings are paid in advance by credit card (Visa or
MasterCard) on a secure website. You just need to print off the confirmation email and give it to
your driver when you arrive in Paris.
Parishuttle
Rates vary between 10 and 80 euros depending on whether you share the shuttle or you request a
private transfer. Consult website for details: http://www.parishuttle.com/
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City-Shuttle Ltd
Rates vary between 13 and 65 euros depending on whether you share the shuttle or you request a
private transfer. http://www.paris-shuttle.com/
Blue Van
Apprimately €28 per person when travelling alone; when traveling with two or more, the rate is
cheaper. Consult website for rates: http://www.paris-blue-airport-shuttle.fr/
Note: These shuttle services are highly recommended by our students who find it stress-relieving to know that someone
will be waiting for them at the airport to take them and their luggage to their respective address in Paris.
From Orly (ORL – southeast of Paris):
Orlyval and RER line B: €10.90 approx.
Orlybus (to Denfert Rochereau metro station): €7.50 for one-way ticket
Autobus Air France express shuttle service from ORL to the city center:
http://www.lescarsairfrance.com/.
Line 1 to Etoile via Montparnasse and Invalides: €12.50 (one-way)
http://www.aeroportsdeparis.fr/ADP/fr-FR/Passagers/Acces-Plans-Parking/ParisOrly/Acces/Transports-En-Commun/paris-orly-cars-air-france.htm
Paris Airport Service
€27/person travelling alone
When traveling two or more, rate is cheaper. Consult website for rates.
http://www.parisairportservice.com/
Taxi: €40 to €50 (3 people maximum); €2.50 extra for 4th person + additional charge for luggage,
when there are more than two bags/suitcases.
On a final note: don’t forget to take baggage into account when choosing your mode of
transportation. If you have several bags, make sure that you can carry or pull them all.
Getting Settled
It is recommended that you arrive in Paris several days before the scheduled beginning of the
program. It will take you some time to settle into your permanent lodgings and adjust to the time
difference and the new surroundings. If you can arrange it, we recommend you travel with a friend or
two; the shared experience will make the trip and your arrival more enjoyable. Your different
language abilities may complement each other, and you can take turns watching luggage. In any
event, let friends know when you will be arriving and where you will be staying, so that you can get
together and share a meal or do some exploring. Under no circumstances should you arrive in Paris
without having either temporary or permanent housing waiting for you. It will be virtually impossible
to find a hotel room without reservations in late August and early September.
Temporary Lodging
Unless you have confirmed that you can move into your permanent housing on the day you arrive in
France, we strongly urge you to reserve temporary accommodation PRIOR to departure. To call
France from the U.S., dial 011-33-plus the last nine digits of the number. When calling a cell phone
number, dial 011-33-6 + the last eight digits of the number. Don’t forget the time difference, which
is normally six hours between the East coast of the U.S. and France.
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Below is a list of names and addresses of some student residence halls and hotels where School in
France students have stayed for short periods in the past. Keep in mind that the rates quoted are
subject to change. Unless otherwise indicated, these per-person rates are as of January 2014 and may
be subject to slight changes.
Regular foyers will also accept students for a few nights before the beginning of the academic year.
Foyer International des Etudiantes (just for female students)
(co-ed from July through September)
93, boulevard St. Michel 75005
http://www.fie.fr/
Tel : 01.43.54.49.63
Métro: RER Luxembourg, M Cluny la Sorbonne
Minimum stay: 3 nights
Single room: €41 pp; Double room: €29 pp (includes breakfast)
NB: We strongly advise you to reserve well ahead of time; spaces fill up quickly for the summer
Bureau des Voyages de la Jeunesse (B.V.J) (co-ed open all year)
http://www.bvjhotel.com/
a) Paris-Louvre
20, rue Jean-Jacques
Rousseau 75001 Paris
Tel : 01 53 00 90 90
Double room: €35 pp;
Dormitory (3, 8, 10 beds): €30 pp
Reserve 4 or 5 days in advance
Payment should be made in cash
b) Paris-Quartier Latin
44, rue des Bernardins 75005 Paris
Tel : 01 43 29 34 80
Reserve 2 or 3 days in advance
Payment should be made in cash
Single room: €49 pp;
Double room: €35 pp;
Dormitory (3, 8 or 10 beds) €30
c) Paris- Opera
1 rue de la tour des Dames 75009 paris
01 42 36 88 18
Single room : €49 pp;
Double room :35€
Dormitory (3, 8,10 beds) €30 pp
MIJE : Maison Internationale de la Jeunesse et des Etudiants (3 locations in the heart of Paris)
http://www.mije.com/
Tel : 01 42 74 23 45
a) Fauconnier
11, rue du Fauconnier
75004 Paris
Métro: Saint-Paul
b) Maubuisson
12, rue des Barres
75004 Paris
Métro: Hôtel de Ville
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c) Fourcy
6, rue de Fourcy
75004 Paris
Métro: Saint-Paul
All locations:
Single room: €55 pp; Double room: €41 pp; Triple room (3 beds): €35.50 pp; Multiple share:
€33.50pp; Has its own cafeteria, (€10.50 per meal) with membership (€2.50 paid once) Breakfast is
included.
Hotel Flor Rivoli
13 rue des deux Boules
75001 Paris
Tel : 01 42 33 49 60
Métro: RER Chatelet Les Halles : exit Rivoli
http://www.hotel-paris-florrivoli.com/fr/
Single room: €80
Single room: €85 (shared washroom) and €95 (own washroom)
Double and twin room:€115
Breakfast:€6 pp
Hotel du Levant
18 rue de la Harpe
75005 Paris
Tel. 01 46 34 11 00
Métro : St.Michel
Rooms : single 85€-160€
Double 180€-210€
On-Site Orientation
The program in Paris begins with an orientation program during which students attend informational
meetings, get introduced to life in Paris, and learn about French higher education in general as well as
about their respective host institutions. During this time, they select courses with the help of the
Director.
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Academic Matters
M.A in French with a year in Paris
The M.A. degree is comprised of twelve units to be taken in a combination of a summer in
Vermont and an academic year in Paris; or a summer in Vermont, an academic year in Paris,
and a second summer in Vermont. After successfully completing the summer session of the
French School, MA candidates who spend the year in Paris do the equivalent of 9 units in
country (or at least 6 units if they return to Vermont for a second summer). The great
majority of students complete an independent research thesis (or thesis) worth two units of
credit.
Studying in an academic culture different from their own allows the graduate students in France to
develop new skills and work methods. Directly enrolling in courses at a French university alongside
French students offers a unique opportunity for developing their intellectual and linguistic skills or
competencies, as well as providing additional opportunities for social immersion.
Courses are available in the following areas: French literature, Comparative literature, European
studies, French theater, French cinema, Pedagogy & linguistics, and Translation (at the Université
Sorbonne Nouvelle – Paris 3) or French history, French art history, French cinema, French
philosophy, and Political science (at the Université Paris 1 - Panthéon Sorbonne).
Taking courses at a single French university throughout the year has proven to provide greater
opportunities for social contact and academic support. Graduate students normally take third-year
courses (at the Licence level) within the French university system. However, when they already have
sufficient background in the subject, fourth-year courses (at the Master 1 level) may be more
appropriate.
All students must enroll in a minimum of three course units and a maximum of five course
units each semester.
Distribution Requirements
During their M.A. studies, students must complete:
•
A minimum of 3 Units of credit in language and methods, including:
o FR 6525 (Intro to Literary Analysis) or an equivalent (in Vermont);
o based on the results of the placement test at the beginning of the summer program:
▪ FR 6511 (Applied Stylistics, in Vermont) OR FR 6509 (Applied Stylistics I, in
Vermont) AND/OR FR 6510 (Applied Stylistics II, in Vermont) for students who
studied at the French School prior to the summer 2015
▪ FR 6611 (Advanced Composition, at the Middlebury center in Paris)
o Research Methods Seminar (at the Middlebury center in Paris)
•
A minimum of 3 units of credit in Literature
•
A minimum of 3 units of credit in Civilization, Culture, and Society
If a student fails a course during fall semester, s/he may take an additional course in the spring
semester only within the limit of 5 units (incl. research units). If a student fails a course during the
spring semester, s/he must go back to the French School in the summer to make up for the failed
unit(s).
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M.A. Research
M.A. students in Paris must take a one-unit yearlong research seminar in which they are introduced
to the research methods of the discipline of their choice (civilization, literature, or pedagogy).
Students are strongly encouraged to write an M.A. independent research thesis while in
Paris, especially if they wish to pursue doctoral studies in French, or to apply for a graduate
degree in another discipline, but not only. Having completed a thesis, students can better
argue their capability of doing original, in-depth, independent research and thinking to
future employers and/or doctoral programs.
The M.A. research thesis in French (50-70 pages) is written under the guidance of a French university
professor. The independent research thesis should be based in part either on course work done either
during the student’s undergraduate studies, or the preceding summer in Vermont, or the first
semester in Paris.
Once they have found a potential topic and developed a rudimentary research proposal under the
supervision of their research methods seminar professors, students propose it to the Director of the
School in France who identifies a French academic whose research interests fit. Students are then
guided by their thesis advisor, getting expert advice and feedback from him/her, from the stages of
narrowing the topic, identifying the research questions, and starting the actual research, to the final
stages of writing.
Once completed, students prepare a final oral defense of their work before a research thesis
committee. The research thesis demonstrates a high level of written language skills as well as critical
and analytical thinking skills.
Students who opt to write a research thesis receive two units at the end of the academic year.
M.A. Specializations
As an alternative to the “general” M.A. program, students may decide to prepare an M.A. with a
specialized focus on Literature, on Civilization, Culture, and Society, or on Pedagogy and
Linguistics. In addition to the customary three units of required language courses (see above),
coursework must include:
Specialization in Literature
5 units in Literature
2 units in Civilization, Culture, and Society
Specialization in Civilization, Culture, and
Society
5 units in Civilization, Culture, and Society
2 units in Literature
Specialization in Pedagogy
5 units in Pedagogy and Linguistics
1 unit in Literature
1 unit in Civilization, Culture, and Society
Students who specialize and opt to write an independent research thesis must write it in their area of
specialization.
Students who specialize in literature are strongly encouraged to take coursework covering at least five
of the six periods of French literature (the Middle Ages; the 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, and 20th
17
centuries), as well as Francophone literature, unless they have taken some advanced undergraduate
courses covering these periods/areas. Literature students enroll at the Université Sorbonne
Nouvelle – Paris 3.
Students who specialize in Civilization, Culture, and Society usually focus on French and
Francophone history or on French (and European) political studies and typically enroll at the
Université Panthéon Sorbonne – Paris 1, but they may choose to enroll at the Université
Sorbonne Nouvelle – Paris 3 instead.
Student who specialize in pedagogy enroll in Master’s level courses in “Didactique du français et des
langues” at the Université Sorbonne Nouvelle – Paris 3. They must have taken at least one course
in the discipline either before or during the summer of candidacy in Vermont.
Credit Internships
Qualified and highly motivated students may gain practical experience as
part of their graduate education abroad through 16 hours per week at
credit-bearing internship sites (for 8 weeks). Interns write a 15 to 20-page
supervised research paper, in French, related to their internship, which
they present at the end of the semester. This experience will provide
students with new knowledge and skills that can lead to greater
opportunities in the future.
Interested students need to apply prior to departure for France.
In Paris, the School in France outsources the academic, credit bearing internship program to EUSA:
http://www.eusa-edu.com/universities/internships.html.
Note that internships are not guaranteed; placements are dependent on availability, previous
experience, qualifications, and the language ability of each student.
Students who apply for a credit internship agree to let EUSA France find an internship for them and
are expected to follow through with their commitment until the end of the semester. Students who
withdraw from a credit-bearing internship after the add/drop period will earn an “F”, will be
ineligible to enroll in another course, and asked to pay unrecoverable EUSA fees.
For futher information on credit-bearing internships in France, please see our website:
http://www.middlebury.edu/sa/france/internships
Internship applications (including cover letters and resumes written in French) must be submitted by May 1 for fall
semester internships or by November 15 for the spring.
Please do not hesitate to ask for guidance and templates as French cover letter’s and resume’s styles
are very strict.
Important Notes
Students who are applying to teaching positions for fall 2016 are strongly advised to complete their
program in June. Placement agencies and employers are much more likely to hire students who
complete all program requirements by the end of June.
Advanced Entry at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey (MIIS)
after the M.A.: Middlebury M.A. graduates may qualify for advanced entry into the International
Policy and Management, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and Teaching a
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Foreign Language (TFL) master's degree programs at the Monterey Institute of International Studies,
a graduate school of Middlebury College. Advanced Entry status would allow them to complete a
second M.A degree in two or three semesters instead of the usual four.
Students who are interested in this option should inform the Director as early as the summer
preceding the year abroad and should definitely plan on completing their Middlebury French M.A.
requirements in Paris by June.
Selection of Courses
The Director of the School in France approves students’ workload and choice of courses each
semester. Students must choose their university affiliation before the start of the summer school in
Middlebury. During the summer in Vermont, they discuss their academic and professional objectives
with the director. Since the coming year’s course lists are often not available until September,
students make a first course selection of courses on the basis of the previous year’s course lists:
http://www.middlebury.edu/ls/grad_programs/french/program_tracks/paris/courses
Fall semester course selection takes place in September, once all the course information for the
coming year is made available by French universities. Spring semester course selection usually takes
place in December.
Advising and Registration
Advising and registration take place as follows upon arrival in France:
• Attend and participate in the academic information session during orientation;
• Prepare for individual advising session with the Director during orientation in September:
bring all university course options so that we can discuss together preliminary course
selection and establish a preliminary schedule;
• Classes begin : the Director will give you detailed information as to how to register for your
courses; procedures vary from department to department and from partner institution to
partner institution;
• If changes are needed in course selection, please speak with the Director as soon as possible
;
• You will have a maximum of 2 weeks after the start of classes to confirm your course
selection; your final registration needs to be communicated to Middlebury College’s
Registrar by the end of the 2nd week of class; you will not be able to add and drop after the
end of the second week of classes;
• Once your course selection and schedule are finalized for the semester, you will need to give
each of your instructors a form to fill out with essential course information, his or her
contact information, the kinds of assignments you will have to do and how you will be
evaluated; please know that without this form, it takes the School in France even longer to
obtain your final grade at the end of the semester
• About mid-semester, you will discuss your academic experience so far with the Director and
begin to discuss your spring semester coursework.
Academic advising abroad is a collaborative process between you, the student and your academic
advisor in France (the Director of the School in France). The Director will do his best to give you
accurate information as soon as it is available, and to answer your questions in a timely matter, but
will not make decisions for you.
Registering for courses at a French university is not as easy as it may be in the U.S., but the
Middlebury staff in Paris does facilitate the process.
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There are two distinct registration procedures. The inscriptions administratives (“matriculation”) take
place early in September. The staff of the School in France will take care of this administrative
procedure for you. The inscriptions pédagogiques (course registration) come at a later point; they involve
registering for specific courses in the various academic departments and are in most instances done
individually by the student. The procedure will be further explained to you during the summer and
during in-country orientation in Paris in September.
Academic Support in Paris
All students participate in phonetics, academic writing, and research methods workshops offered at
the Middlebury Center in Paris.
The French School (in the summer) and the School in France arrange special courses, workshops,
and tutorials. They are designed to introduce students to the formats of French-style papers. They are
taught by French faculty, instructors, or doctoral candidates to help students better understand the
various French academic exercises. Students are encouraged to take full advantage of these learning
and research opportunities.
The tutorials administered at the School in France are meant to help students to better understand
the content of their courses and to help them to write the papers that they have to write for their
mainstream courses. Program tutors can devote up to 3 hours per week per graduate student (may
only be extended for special reasons). If you think that special reasons apply, don’t hesitate to notify
the director.
Please note that writing tutors do not work as proofreaders of your papers. Writing tutors will point
out mistakes and problems, but they won't proofread papers or fix mistakes. They are instructed to
help students to correct their mistakes themselves, especially those that cannot easily be answered by
consulting a dictionary or a grammar book. Please note that in order to be effective, the tutorials
should only take place if you have already begun writing your papers/assignments in advance.
At the Middlebury Center, all students have access to ANTIDOTE, a complete set of software
reference tools for writing in French. It includes an advanced grammar checker with smart filters, a
rich collection of dictionaries, and a set of interactive language guides.
Resources
In Paris, le Centre Madeleine has a small library and with two MAC computers that are accessible to all
students. Students will find detailed information on libraries in Paris in the School in France research
handbook. Students will receive a copy in September in Paris.
Grades and Grade Conversion
Grades at French institutions are on a scale of 20, with 10/20 as the moyenne. You should not convert
to percentages. A chart giving equivalencies of letter grades can be found below. In order to
comprehend and perform an assignment, foreign students sometimes have to work as much, if not
more, than they would in their own academic system. The biggest challenge perhaps is to master the
various academic exercises.
Note that final exams are scheduled late in the semester, so students should not make travel plans
before the end of the official university examination period (see calendars). Program students are
required to stay through exam period at the university. If they miss the final exam for a course, they
take the risk of failing.
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Middlebury Coursework
16 – 20
A
Excellent travail
15 - 15,9
ATrès bon travail
14 - 14,9
B+
Bon travail
12 - 13,9
B
Assez bon travail
10 - 11,9
BPassable
9 – 9,9
C+
No credit
8 – 8,9
C
No credit
7-7,9
CNo credit
6-6,9
D
No credit
<6
F
No crédit
Universités de Paris - Mainstream Courses
15 – 20
A
Excellent travail
14 - 14,9
ATrès bon travail
13 - 13,9
B+
Bon travail
11,5 - 12,9
B
Assez bon travail
10 – 11,4
BPassable
9 – 9,9
C+
No credit
8 – 8,9
C
No credit
7-7,9
CNo credit
6-6,9
D
No credit
<6
F
No credit
Program Policies
Language Pledge
To take fullest advantage of your time in the host country, you are required to maintain the spirit of
the Middlebury Language Pledge and to speak only the language you are studying. We expect no
English to be used in the Schools’ offices or surroundings, except in emergency consultations with
the Director and his staff. Please keep in mind that this Pledge plays a major role in the success of
your study abroad experience, both as a symbol of commitment and as an essential part of the
language learning process, as proven by the successes of our summer Language Schools. Speaking
the host language to fellow students as well as to native speakers will help you to focus your energies
on the acquisition of the language and to internalize the patterns of communication and the cultural
perspective associated with the target language. That is why you are asked to agree to abide by the
Language Pledge in the U.S. (electronically signed on Studio Abroad) and then again during
orientation on site.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is passing off another person’s work as one’s own. It is taking and presenting as one’s own
the ideas, research, writings, creations, or inventions of another. It makes no difference whether the
source is a student or a professional in some field. For example, in written work, whenever as much
as a sentence or a key phrase is taken from the work of another without specific citation, the issue of
plagiarism arises.
Paraphrasing is the close restatement of another’s idea using approximately the language of the
original. Paraphrasing without acknowledgement of authorship is also plagiarism and is as serious a
violation as an unacknowledged quotation. The individual student is responsible for ensuring that his
or her work does not involve plagiarism. Ignorance of the nature of plagiarism or of College rules
may not be offered as mitigating circumstances. Students with uncertainties and questions on matters
21
relating to footnoting and citation of sources should consult with the course instructor for whom
they are preparing work.
Graded assignments should be the work of the individual student, unless otherwise directed by the
instructor. It is the student’s responsibility to seek clarification about such matters as paraphrasing
lecture notes, giving proper citations and footnotes, and proper recognition of joint work on
homework assignments and laboratory reports. A paper submitted to meet the requirements of a
particular course is assumed to be work completed for that course; the same paper, or substantially
similar papers, may not be used to meet the requirements of two different courses, in the same or
different terms, without the prior consent of each faculty member involved. Students incorporating
similar material in more than one paper are required to confirm each professor’s expectations in
advance.
Should work you hand in work for mainstream or in-house courses to your tutors and/or for grading
that is found to be plagiarized, Middlebury’s Academic Disciplinary Policies apply. Please review the
policies contained in Guidelines for Studying with a Middlebury Graduate School Abroad at
http://www.middlebury.edu/ls/grad_programs/french/program_options/paris/handbook.
Attendance
Students are expected to attend each class session, tutorial, field trip, internship/practicum session,
and any other course- or program-related event. Attendance and class participation will influence
their course grades. If a student expects to be absent from a course, s/he must notify the instructor
and the director in advance, preferably in writing.
Regular or repeated absences without a medical excuse or similar extenuating circumstances may
result in course warnings and will ultimately affect the final grade. When disruptive to the program,
this can result in the student’s dismissal.
Please note that missing a mainstream-course twice for reasons other than documented compelling
conditions may result in dismissal from the course and an F as final grade.
Early submission of course work is not an excuse to curtail class attendance or depart campus ahead
of schedule for travel or other purposes. Travels and/or visits with parents, relatives, or friends do
not constitute a valid excuse for not attending classes or handing in work late.
Tardiness
All students must make every effort to be on time for all scheduled meetings, tutorials, and class
sessions and should notify the appropriate persons by phone or written message of extenuating
circumstances that result in tardiness.
Deadlines and Extension Policies
Unless specified differently, the deadline for all papers a student wants to submit for credit in a
mainstream course is the last day of classes in each semester. Students must not negotiate individual
deadlines with their professors.
Work handed in after the semester’s deadline will not be accepted and may lead to an F for the
course in question. Extensions are granted solely at the discretion of the director.
For in-house courses, students who request extensions for other reasons than documented
compelling conditions should be aware that their grade may be lowered by 15% per week. If an
extension is granted for compelling conditions, the final grade will not be affected.
22
Unless specified differently, extensions add three additional weeks after the last day of classes, while
tutorial support ends two weeks after the last day of classes.
Exams
Students are required to take all exams when and where they are designated. This means that students
are required to sit for exams at the same time and place as students in the host country.
French-Style Education
Studying in an academic culture different from your own allows our students to develop new skills
and work methods. The European system teaches students to become more independent and selfdirected, and greatly improves their intellectual curiosity and research skills.
In France, unlike in most countries, “universities” make up only one of the components of the
higher education system. Other components include the highly competitive “Grandes Ecoles”
(« Sciences Po », engineering and business schools), the selective and valued “Sections de Techniciens
Supérieurs” (STS) and “Instituts Universitaires de Technologie” (IUT). Except for a few institutions, French
universities are “public,” and thus accessible to all students who hold the “baccalauréat” or its
equivalent.
Seventy percent of French students who pursue their studies after the “baccalauréat” end up at one
of the public universities. The number of students going to universities increased significantly during
the second half of the 20th century. Approximately 50% of the university students are in first or
second-year courses. While the university is widely accessible, 39% of the students withdraw before
the end of their second year. More than a third of the student population studies humanities.
Most French students specialize in a single field of knowledge very early on. In fact, when they apply
to college they have to choose a particular track (“parcours”). As a result, from the first year on, from
one course to the next, in a progressive and logical sequence, they acquire a very thorough
knowledge of their discipline and its methods. They take more than 80% of their courses in their
major discipline.
Course format
Courses meet once or twice a week, for 1½ to 3-hour periods and French students spend more time
in the classroom than students at U.S. institutions (not considering science students in the U.S.).
There are 2 main types of courses within the French university system. One type, called cours magistral,
or CM, consists of a series of lectures (exclusively by the professor) held in large amphitheaters. The
second type, called travaux dirigés (TD) or conférences de méthode (e.g., at Sciences Po) are conducted in
smaller groups and consist of a combination of lecture and student presentations.
Lecturing is and has always been an essential part of teaching in France. The European university
started during the Middle Ages. It brought together masters and pupils (“universitas magistrorum atque
scholarium”) under the authority of the Church. Masters were learned men working toward the
construction of knowledge. It was a great privilege for pupils to be able to listen to “the” (or an)
unquestionable “expert” who shared his knowledge with those striving to become masters
themselves. To this day, students strive to “follow” the professor who leads them, but who doesn't
necessarily tell them exactly where they are going. This may explain why syllabi and assignment
schedules are not as necessary within such a tradition.
“Magistral” lectures may sometimes seem outdated and ineffective in contrast to more interactive
teaching formats that are widely preferred in the U.S., but they can still be most useful to students as
they consist of valuable overviews of a topic or a range of theories. Lectures are meant to help
23
students approach an immense body of literature from a more informed viewpoint. After taking
detailed notes in class, it is up to the student to pursue their own further investigation of the subject
matter. If their notes are good, they can use them as a starting point for an effective and informed
study of the material. It goes without saying that good note-taking during a lecture is absolutely
crucial in the French system.
Note that not all courses have a cours magistral and not all courses have travaux dirigés.
Academic Expectations
Professors may not distribute any handouts, syllabi, or assignment schedules in the course. You,
however, should not think that your professors don’t expect you to work. Not having American-style
syllabi or reading assignments doesn’t indicate that there isn’t any work to do for the class. In fact,
professors assume that students will do large amounts of research and reading outside of class. To
them, telling someone what and when to read is insulting to their intelligence as adults. While
students are not expected to read all the books that are listed in a bibliography, at the end of the
course, on the final exam, they will be expected to address a question by presenting a broad and
conceptual “réflexion” on the lectures and their independent readings.
Professors will likely pass out a list of 30-50 selected books. How many of the listed works should
you actually read? It depends on a variety of decisions that no one can make for you. It depends on
how much you already know about the subject, what you are interested in and how much you want
to learn about the material. You may not find all references equally helpful or written in a style that
you can digest. In other words, you have to make your own informed decision on what to include or
exclude from their personal reading schedule. Some students (French or foreign) choose to do the
minimum. In the end, they are the only ones that can be blamed if they pass a course with the lowest
possible grade or fail it.
The French university system has its own rhetoric and codes that students (including foreign
students) should learn. It includes acquiring a new vocabulary, way of thinking, and style. There are
academic exercises that every student in a French university is expected to, perhaps not master but at
least, understand and perform adequately. These vary from one discipline to another. They are:
•
•
•
•
•
la dissertation (a French-style essay)
le commentaire composé (another French-style paper most commonly used in literature classes)
l’exposé oral (an oral presentation/report)
le dossier (a research paper)
le devoir sur table or « DST » (in-class exam/paper)
Of course, most professors understand that foreign students, unlike French students, do not usually
have any or much experience with these exercises prior to coming to France. Still, they expect all
students to make the effort to understand the nature of these exercises and to achieve adequately.
Professors
French professors may not be as accessible as U.S. faculty members are. They are not expected to
spend as much time at the university or to hold office hours. If you need to talk to one of your
professors, you should approach her or him at the end of class, never at the beginning. As a matter
of principle, ask politely when would be a good time to see them. Don’t expect that they are going to
answer your question on the spot. They may have another class or meeting.
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Learning Outside the Classroom
Volunteer work, language partnerships (exchange), and cultural activities provide you with
opportunities to deepen your social immersion in French culture, enhance your language skills, and
gain a better understanding of present-day France.
Volunteer Work
You can get involved in volunteer work and put your skills to use during the year in Paris in several
different ways. For example, « Montparnasse Rencontres » has offered to our students such
opportunities as assisting immigrant children and teenagers in their schoolwork. There is also the
Centre de Volontariat de Paris where students may find opportunities to work on human rights, social
exclusion, and assisting the sick and elderly, among others. This is an excellent way to integrate into
the local culture. Consult with the Student Life Coordinator in the School in France office. Be sure to
do this early in the year so that you are able to gain fully from the experience.
Language Partnerships
Language exchanges with French students are an excellent way of improving your language
proficiency level and establishing friendships. The Student Life Coordinator in Paris will assist you in
finding language partners at the beginning of the academic year.
Museum Entrance Fees
Middlebury College will pay for museum visits in conjunction with field trips organized for all
students at the Center. You will have to cover additional fees for visits and research. Museums
throughout France cost between €5 - €12 for students. Students enrolled in art history courses at
Panthéon Sorbonne may be entitled to free entrance at state-run museums.
Cultural Activities
The School in France believes that exposure to French culture is an integral part of your experience
and thus offers several activities and cultural outings every month, some of which are also open to
French students. Options that can facilitate student immersion include sports, cultural, and outdoor
activities. The School staff and host institution contacts are available to advise you on a wide range
of co-curricular activities. Most French universities have active ERASMUS international student
organizations that offer many activities. Their offices are also excellent starting points to obtain
information on cultural events, extracurricular activities, day trips, concerts, plays, art exhibits, and
other local events. See also section “Meeting the French.”
There is a cultural reimbursement each semester for students who undertake French cultural
activities. You will be asked to produce original receipts to receive a reimbursement. This normally
does not cover transportation or hotel costs but will include things like museum entrance fees, etc.
Please ask the director in France for details.
Living in France
Validating your visa
Upon arrival in France, all foreign students who are studying for the semester or the full academic
year are required to validate their long stay student visa (VLS-TS) in order to live legally in France.
Make sure your passport is stamped upon entering France or Schengen territory. You will
need this stamp as proof of arrival.
25
Students studying in Paris will fill out the paperwork for the validation process at the Centre
Madeleine during the “Residency permit” meeting at orientation.
There are two steps to validating your “VLS-TS” visa:
In preparation for the first step, you must bring the following items to the “Residency permit”
meeting:
(1) 1 legible photocopy of identification pages of passport
(2) 1 legible photocopy of visa page of passport
(3) Photocopy of your passport stamp, which you received upon entering France or Schengen
territory.
(4) The questionnaire“Visa de Long Séjour – Demande d’Attestation OFII” that you will have
received at the French consulate.
We will personally hand in your documents to the Préfecture de police. You will then receive a medical
appointment at the Office Français de l’immigration et de l’intégration (OFII). (You will be asked to
take X-rays and see the doctor.)
You must bring the following documents to the medical appointment:
(1) 1 French-format photos [3,5cm x 4,5cm], black and white (you can easily buy a black and
white picture while in France); no head accessories or eyeglasses. Scanned photos will not be
accepted
(2) Proof of residency in France (which we will provide upon arrival in France).
(3) A €58 fiscal stamp, which can be purchased from a tabac, a hotel des impots, or online.
Housing
Graduate students live in studios, apartments, foyers (student residences), or with French hosts. A
student's housing choice is dependent upon individual preference, financial resources, and the
availability of such housing. Foyers are private student residences, located mainly on the left bank.
They are unaffiliated with any specific school or university and they house French students whose
homes are not in Paris; they also house foreign students. The common language is usually French.
More details will be provided during the summer housing orientation on the Vermont campus.
At the moment, the real estate market in Paris is particularly difficult to access given the high
demand and very limited availability of furnished studios/apartments at reasonable prices. Please
know that you are free to find housing on your own if you wish to do so. However, knowing the
difficulties that may be encountered during the process, Middlebury offers the possibility of
arranging housing beforehand, an option that students have found to be of great advantage.
For this reason, students will begin to work with our Student Life Coordinator via email and Skype as
early as July. At that time they will be able to choose the housing option that best suits their needs
and financial resources.
During the summer on the Vermont campus, students have access to a detailed list of studios,
apartments, foyers and rooms in French hosts’ apartments with costs, descriptions, and addresses.
This list with all the options presented have been previously visited, carefully compiled and selected
26
by the Student Life Coordinator. This information is confidential and may not be shared with
anyone outside the School in France.
Our lists contain enough housing possibilities for all students accepted to the Paris program. If
students decide to take advantage of our housing options, they should expect to honor their
commitment and agreement to the foyer or landlord for the duration of their studies (see "Rights and
Responsibilities" below).
Middlebury is not contractually responsible for housing arrangements and does not have authority
over any lodgings.
How to Send the Security Deposit
If students are staying in a studio, apartment or with French hosts, they must send a deposit check in
Euros (bank check) by July 20, 2015. There are different ways to send the deposit. They can send a
Western Union money transfer (in Euros) to their host (although it is more expensive). They can also
make a transfer from their account to their host’s account. They can also make a check in Euros and
send it via Fedex or a safe carrier. Please make sure that your hosts receive the entire amount of the
deposit: students are expected to pay what ever bank fees are charged by their U.S. bank or that of
their landlord.
If students choose to live in a foyer, they must send their deposit by Mid-July (note that this date is
earlier than studio, apartment or hosts). If they are staying in a student resident hall (foyer), their
deposit must be sent in euros via an electronic transfer. See the instructions included in the foyer
application on how to wire the deposit amount directly to the foyer.
For all housing options, students should be aware that if they do not send the deposit by the dates
listed above, they risk losing their place! In this case, it will be their responsibility to find another
source of housing.
The total amount of the deposit should equal one month's rent as indicated in the housing
assignment. The first month’s rent must be paid upon arrival in France. Rent for the following
months should be paid between the 1st and the 5th of each month. The deposit may not be used as
rent payment. The deposit will be returned at the end of the stay, if nothing in the lodging has been
damaged.
When students do not give at least a month’s notice (préavis) before leaving a housing arrangement,
the housing deposit will not be returned. Please see the document “Règlement de Principe” for more
details.
If there is a problem of any nature with their housing, students should immediately inform the
Student Life Coordinator of the School in France: we can often act as a mediator and help to remedy
the problem. Should students decide for a good reason to change living arrangements in the course
of the year, they must notify their landlord or host at least one month in advance. The rent for that
month must be paid, and students may lose their deposit.
Whatever housing solution students adopt, it is expected that they will be considerate of the rights
and sensibilities of others throughout their stay and that they will honor both the spirit and the letter
of any formal or informal arrangements they enter into with hosts, landlords, or residence managers.
Non-payment of rent, outstanding bills, and checks written against insufficient funds will harm the
reputation of the School in France as a whole. A residence may even decide to end a partnership with
Middlebury due to one student’s behavior. To avoid situations like this, it is important to have an
27
open line of communication with the Student Life Coordinator and with the host or residence
director.
Students should be aware that most Parisians vacation in August, and over Christmas and New
Year's. It is crucial for students to notify landlords or hosts well in advance in order to make sure that
they will be able to move in upon arrival in Paris and continue to use the premises during the
holidays. If necessary, students can always stay temporarily in a foyer or hôtel for short periods either
while waiting for their housing to become available or over a vacation period. If students will be with
a host over a vacation period, it is a good idea to discuss arrangements as early in the semester as
possible. Most hosts will welcome students into their holiday activities, however students must also
be sensitive to the fact that hosts may not be present during the holidays or may have pre-arranged
plans that do not include students.
Rights and Responsibilities (Règlement de principe)
One of the most valuable experiences of students’ stay in France can be that of their living situation.
This “total immersion” either in a French hosts’ home or a student residence offers valuable insight
into French culture, providing a richer vision of traditions, customs, and day-to-day life. However,
there may be rules on the use of appliances, meals, laundry, showers, telephone, etc., which vary
according to the individual arrangement. Compared to U.S. standards, French homes are smaller and
utilities are significantly more expensive.
Courteous gestures, such as letting the hostess know when you will not be home for a meal, as well
as economizing on hot water, electricity, and the hosts’ phone (if you’re allowed to use it), will greatly
contribute to having an amicable relationship with your hosts.
You should understand that you are making a moral as well as a financial commitment to any student
residence or proprietor with whom you agree to live. At the same time, the residence or the
proprietor is making a commitment to you (often reserving a space many months in advance). Such
commitments should not be taken lightly; proprietors (families particularly) may not be able to find
another tenant once the academic year has started, and the student’s departure will almost certainly
mean the loss of several months rent that the proprietor has counted on. Just as you would not
appreciate being evicted because your proprietor wants your room for a relative or for a student
willing to pay more, you should not leave housing if the proprietor has honored their commitment to
you, simply because you have found something that suits you better once you are in France.
Therefore, we ask that you keep your commitment throughout the term of your studies unless there
are serious reasons for not doing so.
Again, you should expect to pay the equivalent of one month’s rent in advance to reserve your
housing. This deposit will be kept as security against damage or outstanding bills until you
leave. Your deposit will not be applied as payment for the first or last month’s rent. Be prepared to
pay the first month’s rent upon your arrival in Paris. Note again that rent is paid monthly at the
beginning of the month.
Should you need to change living arrangements during the course of the year or the semester, you
must notify your residence manager or your host one month prior to moving out and the rent for
that month must be paid. If you decide to leave without one month’s notice, you will lose your
deposit.
Renter’s Insurance
All students housed by Middlebury must purchase renter’s insurance, Assurance Habitation, which
covers theft, fire, water damage, keys lost, and liability, and includes the Responsabilité Civile (liability
insurance) that provides coverage in case of damage or accidents (approximate cost:
28
€100). Middlebury has an arrangement with a Paris branch of Allianz Assurance and you will
purchase both the renter’s and the liability insurance upon your arrival in Paris, during orientation,
when we go over housing and insurance together.
Meeting the French
One of the questions we are asked most frequently is how to go about meeting French students. You
will need some courage and a good deal of initiative; results may not live up to your expectations,
especially right away, but be patient. Keep in mind the strategies you would use at home to meet
people you are interested in knowing: try to be where they are, try to share an interest or an activity
that will bring you into contact with them, and get to know people who know them. It goes without
saying, if you have one or two French acquaintances to start out with, it can only make things easier.
Conversely, if you speak English in public it will make things more difficult.
Those of your predecessors who have been successful in this respect would say that the best
approach is to find a group activity that includes French people:
•
•
•
Playing sports, choral singing, cooking/wine tasting courses, volunteer work, internships,
etc., anything that gives you an interest or an activity in common.
Students may request a French language partner through the language exchange program
organized by the Student Life Coordinator at the beginning of the year.
Students may also become a member of the Club International des Jeunes de Paris (CJIP), an
association that organizes cultural activities and linguistic exchanges to promote cultural
exchanges between French and international students and young professionals living in
Paris.
It’s
a
great
place
to
meet
people!
Website: http://www.club-international.org/
Sports and Other Activities
In Paris, the Service Universitaire des Sports organizes at each University numerous sporting activities of
a great variety each week (e.g., muscle training, athletics, badminton, dance, yoga, martial arts, rugby,
volleyball, swimming, etc) led by certified teachers or qualified trainers. There is a sports office in
every French university. There is a lot of demand for these activities since they are free of charge
and available for all students (French and foreign). If interested, sign up as soon as you obtain your
student card. Do not wait too long to sign up as space is limited. In order to register for these
activities, please get in touch with the SUAPS office upon your arrival. Please ask us, and we will
provide you with the necessary contact information.
Paris 1
http://uefaps.univ-paris1.fr/
Paris 3
http://www.univ-paris3.fr/service-universitaire-des-activites-physiques-et-sportives-suaps-240.kjsp?STNAV=&RUBNAV=
Click on “La brochure du SUAPS” in the menu on the right side of the screen for a list of courses
available.
The city of Paris offers myriad possibilities as far as sports and other activities for the residents of
each district or arrondissement. These classes, offered to Paris residents for a minimum fee, are
extremely popular and well-reputed amongst Parisians, which explains why they rush to sign up at
the beginning of the academic year (la rentrée). In order to benefit from this possibility, a student
must visit her/his district’s town hall to pick up a registration form and send it back as soon as
possible in order to reserve a spot in one of these classes.
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Eating in France
Le Resto U (university cafeterias)
French students often eat at the university restaurant managed by the CROUS*. This is a great setting
to meet and speak with French students. The CROUS is in charge of a large number of university
cafeterias in Paris, Poitiers, and Bordeaux. They have a variety of establishments, including cafeterias,
salad bars, pizzerias, crèperies, etc. There is even a Sunday brunch in one of the Paris Resto U: Restaurant
universitaire Mazet, 5 rue André Mazet, Paris 6e. If you want to save money, this is the place to eat. A full
meal is approximately €3.15. As soon as you have your student ID, you can use it to pay at the RU.
If you prefer to pay cash, please do not forget to bring your student ID anyway. The restaurants are
open Monday through Friday. On the weekends and on holidays at least one restaurant will be open.
Please consult the hours of operation signs posted in the Restos U or visit:
http://www.crous-paris.fr/article.asp?idcat=AAA
*Centre Régional des Oeuvres Universitaires et Scolaires
Local Transportation
The first thing to buy in Paris is a “plan de Paris” in booklet form (the Paris Poche “L’indispensable”
or “Paris Pratique” are both excellent). This guide includes maps of the metro and the
various bus lines, in addition to complete street maps by arrondissement. Even Parisians use
them!
“Carnets” of 10 tickets that can be used for both the metro and the bus system (unlimited distance
within Paris in both cases) can be purchased for €14,10. Tickets bought individually cost €1,80 and
€2 on the bus. The “Pass Navigo” (weekly or monthly pass), which allows you an unlimited number
of trips on the metro and bus within the city of Paris, costs €21,25for a weekly pass and €67.10 for a
monthly pass. Year-long students can apply for the Carte Imagine R, which is €341,90for the year.
For additional information regarding transportation in Paris and the price of metro/bus tickets and
passes go to: http://www.ratp.fr/
Paris is steadily becoming a more bike-friendly city. You can rent a ‘Velib’ bike for 30 min. and leave
it at the next ‘Velib’ station. Cars are used to bikes on the road, but BIKE WITH CAUTION! , Be
sure to have a light and a reflective vest at night (it’s French law!), as well as a helmet at all times. To
see prices and information go to: http://www.velib.paris.fr/
Traveling within France
The School in France organizes one weekend excursion each semester for all Paris students. Students
pay their individual share of an advantageous group rate for hotel, meals, and museum entrance fees.
The School in France covers at least half of the total cost. We select itineraries and destinations that
would be difficult or more expensive if pursued individually. Examples of past excursions include: an
overnight excursion to Normandy, Allied Landing beaches and Mont Saint-Michel; and a 2-day trip
to Avignon and the region. Week-end excursion participation fees range from €100 to €180,
depending on the length (one or 2 nights). The School organizes several day trips to Versailles,
Chantilly, Fontainebleau, and Vaux le Vicomte for Paris students. Most costs are covered for local
trips.
Student organizations at the various institutions in Paris as well as the CNOUS/CROUS (Centre
Régional des Oeuvres Universitaires et Scolaires) often organize group excursions and trips. The cost is
always reasonable, and such trips are a wonderful opportunity to get to know French students while
doing something you enjoy. Visit their website at http://www.cnous.fr/
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We encourage students to take advantage of the numerous vacation periods not only to explore Paris
but to get to know France. As you know, Paris n’est pas la France, which is to say Paris is only one
aspect of a country that, though it is relatively small, presents infinite variety.
Hitchhiking and ride sharing as modes of transportation are strongly discouraged. The
practice is regarded by security officials to be extremely unsafe. Buses and trains provide a
low-cost, safe alternative.
We also strongly discourage couchsurfing for the same reasons. Couchsurfing may tempt
you as an interesting way to get insight into a new culture, but you would be lodging with
strangers.
When leaving Paris overnight or longer, you should fill out the Travelog form on the School in
France website: (http://www.middlebury.edu/ls/grad_programs/french/program_tracks/paris) to
notify the staff of your itinerary and/or addresses and phone numbers where you can be reached.
This information will be kept confidential and accessed only in case of emergencies or urgent
messages from parents. As a matter of courtesy and common sense, students living with host families
should similarly inform them when they plan to be away.
Train
The most popular mode of transportation in France is the train. There are many discounts available
to persons under 27 for travel within France. The ‘Carte 12-27’ which you can buy upon arrival in
France, for 50€, will allow you to have a discount on train tickets of up to 60%, you can use the card
until the night before your 28th birthday. The card is valid for up to a year. Information about these
discounts is available at any train station and the various student travel agencies throughout the city.
You may also get it at any Boutique SNCF. There is one near the Centre Madeleine on rue Chauveau
Lagarde. Many discounts are available for persons of all ages; in fact, if you have visitors who want to
travel inexpensively, be sure to check what discounts may be available to them. For additional train
information, you can go to http://www.sncf.fr/ .
Bicycle
Many train stations offer bicycle rental and car rental services. An attractive option is to travel by
train to a nearby or distant destination and then explore the countryside by bike on your own. Bicycle
excursions are also sometimes offered by student travel agencies or by student organizations. Check
bulletin boards at the institutions where you are taking courses.
Bus
Intercity bus transportation tends to be lower in cost than second-class rail travel, and many of the
buses on the road these days are fairly spacious, have bathrooms, and show movies. Where a choice
is available, check schedules and prices, since bus travel is sometimes faster and in any event more
scenic than train travel. Discounts are available to students.
Check out: http://www.eurolines.fr/.
Budget Travel Resources
The book Let’s Go France is very useful for information on low-budget lodging and meals, sites and
places of interest, transportation, and helpful addresses such as post offices, cybercafes, etc. It is
updated yearly and sold in the U.S. Other good travel guides in French include: Le guide du routard and
Le Petit Futé series.
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Discounted student airline tickets can be purchased at the Office de Tourisme Universitaire (OTU) at the
CROUS1. The travel agency Nouvelles Frontières also has low-priced tickets for students under the age
of 25.
Traveling in Europe
If you plan to travel to other countries, be advised that regulations regarding necessary visas or entry
and exit permits vary and may change at very short notice. Consult a travel agent or the
corresponding country’s consulate and/or embassy for current procedures before making any
travel arrangements. Should you decide to travel while you are waiting for your Visite
Médicale at l’OFII, make sure to bring the confirmation letter (rendez-vous date from the
prefecture) with you on your travels. Without these documents, you risk being in an irregular
situation according to French authoritities.
1
The CROUS is located at 39 avenue Georges Bernanos, Paris 5e, RER Port-Royal.
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Health & Safety
Students studying at the Middlebury School in France are automatically enrolled in a study abroad
health insurance plan for the duration of the program through HTH Worldwide. This coverage is
mandatory and cannot be waived. You will receive an insurance card and proof of insurance letter
(required for your visa application) from HTH. Dependent coverage is available and can be
purchased directly from HTH Worldwide.
As a foreign student, you should take the same precautions you would in any large city, anywhere in
the world. During orientation, we will address the issue of security in greater depth. For more
information about general conditions in France, you can also see the State Department information
page.
We consider French health care first-rate, and it is usually less expensive than in the U.S. The The
School in France staff maintains a list of doctors, both general practitioners and specialists,
psychological counselors, and psychiatrists, from whom students have received good care in the past.
Additionally, HTH Worldwide maintains an online database of providers.
Please note that pharmacists in France are qualified to give medical advice and suggest treatment in
connection with minor ailments; however, a pharmacist will not hesitate to advise you to see a doctor
if he or she feels your ailment calls for such a visit.
Accommodations can typically be made for students with allergies. Please notify program staff of any
allergies so that a discussion can begin regarding possible accommodations.
Sexual Assault & Harassment
A recent study has shown that studying abroad may increase your risk of unwanted sexual
contact. Please refer to the website for the Department of State
http://studentsabroad.state.gov/smarttravel/forwomentravelers.php
Our on-site staff is your primary resource for advice to keep yourself safe and can also direct you to
local support resources.
Ministry of the Interior’s website:
http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/A-votre-service/Ma-securite/Conseils-pratiques/Mafamille/Conseils-aux-femmes
http://www.stop-violences-femmes.gouv.fr/
Ministry for Women’s Rights (Ministère des droits des femmes): http://femmes.gouv.fr/la-luttecontre-les-violences-aux-femmes-une-politique-a-part-entiere/.
http://stop-harcelement-sexuel.gouv.fr/index.html
Drugs
In most countries, drug use for other than medicinal purposes is illegal, and the local authorities may
take official action against anyone found using or possessing any kind of drugs. The use of drugs by
foreigners in France may result in jail sentences and penalties.
Use of recreational drugs while attending the School in France is strictly prohibited.
33
Water
The tap water in France is typically safe to drink, although you may find your host family and or
proprietor buys bottled water or uses a filter because city water is often harder or contains
more lime. Be sure to check with your host family or student residence to understand the normal
custom for drinking water. For students with sensitive stomachs, bottled water is readily available
throughout France.
Safety Tips for France
Middlebury College monitors all study abroad programs closely through news channels, regular
communication with staff overseas, and special information and notifications from the United States
Department of State and other sources. Descriptive material and current warnings can be found on
the State Department website. Students are not permitted to travel to areas where there is a State
Department travel warning while they are enrolled in the program. If for any reason a situation arises
that we feel threatens the safety of our students, we will delay and/or cancel the program.
Nonetheless, there are general safety measures that students should practice on site.
As in any large city, you should take reasonable precautions against crime. Be sure to lock your room
and guard your money and passport against pickpockets, especially on buses, trains, and in markets
and other crowded places. When traveling, you should keep your eyes on your luggage, as theft is a
reality in any location. We recommend that you use a money pouch or passport bag that can be
worn inside your clothing. Students (particularly women) should be careful about jogging or walking
alone, especially at night.
We advise students to go out in small groups at night, ideally with local students and/or friends.
Students, particularly women, are discouraged from going out alone at night. During the on-site
orientation, local staff members will discuss safety in greater detail, including neighborhoods or other
areas to avoid after dark.
Hospitals & Medical Services
If you have a medical concern, there are many resources available to you. The HTH Worldwide
website is a good place to begin searching for a medical professional in France:
http://www.hthstudents.com/doctor_search/by_location.cfm.
If you feel sick in the evening or on a weekend, you may call SOS Médecins 01.47.07.77.77 and a
SOS Médecins doctor will come to your house (cost of the visit: between €40 and €60). You may also
go to the emergency room (urgences) of any hospital or clinic located near you.
In an emergency requiring immediate attention, call the SAMU (Dial 15 directly from any phone).
If you face a medical emergency, you should immediately call a staff member of the School in France,
or have a friend contact us for you.
If you are looking for the French public hospital closest to your place of residence, go to the website
of the Assistance publique – Hôpitaux de Paris and you will find the addresses and phone numbers
of all the hospitals in the Paris area:
http://www.aphp.fr/hopitaux/
For a list of Anglophone physicians, please consult the following page of the U.S. Embassy
in France’s website:
http://photos.state.gov/libraries/france/5/acs/paris-doctors.pdf.
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Psychological Health and Counseling
Students should be very realistic about their abilities to function in a high-stress environment. Rather
than disappearing in new surroundings, conditions like depression and eating disorders are often
exacerbated by a stay abroad. Psychological counseling services are available in France, but are not
always available in English. Students with particular concerns in this area are encouraged to consult
with International Programs at Middlebury College prior to departure. If you are used to seeing a
professional in your home country, please consult the HTH website for available doctors in your
area. If you need to start speaking with someone, do not hesitate. There are doctors who speak in
French and in English.
On-Site Money Matters
You may want to bring enough cash (euros) with you from the U.S. to get you through the first days
of your term abroad, or at least to last until you can get to a bank or ATM. Be aware that there will
be many expenses at the beginning of the year: rent deposit, first month’s rent payment, phone
installation charges, transportation pass, phone cards, museum memberships, excursions, etc. You
should have access to about 1,500 Euros at the beginning of the semester to pay for these expenses,
many of which require cash.
Currency Exchange
All estimates in this handbook are based on an exchange rate of €1=$1.30. This is an
approximate rate of exchange at the time of publication. However, the exchange rate may
change between now and when you arrive in France. Generally speaking, we advise students to
have some of their money in dollars and some in euros in order to take best advantage of changes in
the currency rate. It is often advantageous to buy euros in a bank that offers currency exchange
services rather than at a bureau de change. The latter post a rate already reduced by a percentage of the
amount you are changing, whereas banks normally post a better rate and charge a flat commission;
do some comparison shopping. Which operation is more favorable will normally depend on how
large an amount you are changing. Note that you never get the rate quoted in the daily newspaper,
which is the “big bank rate.”
Money &Banking
Although not required, opening a bank account in France will most likely facilitate your money
transactions throughout your stay, especially when you take into consideration the ever fluctuating
euro/dollar exchange rate. Also, having a European bank card may facilitate purchases where only
cards with a “chip-and-PIN”are accepted. You will probably want to open a checking account or a
compte courant. Be sure to check on minimum balance and other specific requirements before opening
an account, and keep in mind that a bank draft or personal check in dollars can take up to eight
weeks to clear in a French bank, even if you are an account-holder in good standing. It is a good idea
to open an account soon after your arrival in France and, if you can, it is probably more economical
and faster to wire a larger amount of money from the U.S. at the beginning of your stay rather than
several smaller amounts throughout the semester or the year. However, this is your decision to make.
Given students’ past experiences, we strongly encourage you to favor the wire transfer as opposed to
cashing a check in dollars which may take as long as 10 weeks.
Generally speaking, it is preferable to open an account at a bank in your neighborhood. However,
students in Paris also find it convenient to have their account at a bank near the Centre Madeleine. The
35
Crédit Mutuel on 7, blvd Malesherbes, which is across the street from our Center. If you are a Bank of
America customer you can also go to the BNP, which is its partner bank in France and where the
international ATM access fee is waived. Please note that it will take 8-10 days after the account is
created to received your bank card.
To open a bank account, you will need to provide:
❖ a photocopy of your passport and your visa (and bring the original with you)
❖ proof of housing provided by Middlebury
❖ a letter of enrollment from the Director of the School in France (Attestation d’études)
❖ (Optional) a deposit slip or some other ID from your U.S. bank
account which could be useful when refunding any unused balance at the end of your stay.
Ordinary checks in France are non-endorsable (i.e., no third-party checks), and they may not be made
out for more than the amount owed. One of the advantages of having a compte courant, if you are
allowed to open one, is that personal checks on a French bank are widely accepted in France; this can
be a great convenience when paying your rent each month, traveling or just on a shopping
expedition. There is a flip side: it is an extremely serious matter to “bounce” a check in France (faire
un chèque sans provisions) — learn how to say it, but don’t do it!
It is also possible to have money wired from the U.S. by Telex directly into your French account.
During the course of the year, this is probably the fastest and most reliable means of transfer. Again,
it is extremely important to specify not only the name of the bank but also the branch number and
address, the name of the beneficiary (i.e. your name), and your individual account number. You may
also have money wired to you at the American Express office in Paris, which is almost never
subject to strikes, but charges a commission.
Remember to close out your account (fermer votre compte) two weeks before leaving France — you
may have interest coming to you, and in any case your mail will not be forwarded indefinitely.
Although U.S. credit cards and/or debit cards are very convenient to have (and highly
recommended), do be advised that if you do not have your own bank account in France, it may
prove quite difficult to cash checks you might receive from financial aid or from relatives. Also note
that though personal checks drawn on U.S. banks can be cashed in the French bank where you have
an account, a commission is charged, and the check may take some time to clear. The commission
may be quite high, reducing birthday checks, for example, to virtually nothing. It is best to have your
financial aid checks sent directly to someone in the U.S. who can deposit them into your U.S. bank,
from which you can draw money with your ATM card. Please indicate to the financial aid office
where you would like your check to be sent before departure.
Emergency Cash
BEFORE you leave, you should discuss with your family a plan for accessing money in an emergency
situation. Check Western Union details and service fees, credit card services, and ATM availability.
Credit/Debit Cards
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in France and other foreign countries and are more
common than ATMs accepting Cirrus cards. You will want to obtain either card before leaving the
U.S. Be sure to confirm with your bank that your credit and/or debit card can be used overseas.
Your US card will need a chip in it in order to use it in France. It is essential that your card have a
chip AND that you have your PIN (Personal Identification Number) if you expect to withdraw
money from an ATM; it will also occasionally be required for purchases in stores as well. Confirm
that your PIN is valid outside of the U.S. before you leave. Cash advances and purchases made with
36
a debit card will be debited directly and within 24 hours to your U.S. account with a small, 2-3%
charge (but at the best available “big bank” rate for that day). Cash advances obtained with a credit
card also accrue interest from the time of the cash advance, so you may want to make a practice of
pre-paying your credit card charges. Do not carry your card and PIN together!
If you open an account in a French bank, you may be able to ask for a Carte Bleue (valid just in
France, or internationally, for a slightly higher fee). This can be very convenient, and many students
have used this method. Purchases and cash advances are debited to your French bank account. This
will also avoid having to use your U.S. debit/credit card particularly when the exchange rate is not
favorable to the dollar.
You may want to check out Travelex’s “Cash Passport”debit card which can be issued in the US and
preloaded with a set amount of money. It can be used in ATM’s and places where the VISA electron
logo is displayed. For more information: www.cashpassport.com
Additionally, you may use the services of the American Express office in Paris to: 1) draw a certain
amount of money upon presentation of an American Express credit card, and 2) cash a personal
check on an American bank (also on presentation of the card). Please contact the American Express
Office for further details.
Working in France
A foreigner may not work in France without a work permit, and ordinarily the French government
does not issue a work permit when a foreigner is seeking to fill a position for which EU citizens are
qualified and available. However, a foreign student may be authorized to work up to 20 hours per
week, if he or she has validated his or her long stay student visa as required by French authorities
upon arrival.
Communication with Home & Friends
Communication and Immersion
Students who seek maximum immersion should note that regular communication with home can
significantly hinder their language progress and their adjustment to the new culture. If your goal is
maximum immersion, you should prepare family and friends for the reality that you may be difficult
to contact and that, even when possible, regular calling or e-mailing may interfere with your language
acquisition. If something has gone wrong, your family will learn about it immediately. Otherwise, you
can remind them that no news is good news.
Language Pledge
The Pledge signed at the beginning of orientation in France reads: "I will speak only French for the
duration of my participation with the School in France." French must be spoken at all times, except
in the case of a genuine emergency, a visit from family (English may not be spoken with family when
within earshot of anyone related to the program), or when an exception is made by the staff in
France. Phone calls to family and friends overseas, whether over the Internet, from a land line or
from a cell phone, are allowed as long as one is out of earshot of other students and roommates.
Mail
Your official address will be your studio, homestay, or foyer in Paris. Once you have permanent
housing, you may want to give your home address in Paris to frequent correspondents. If you live
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with French hosts, remember to include ‘chez Mme…..’ after your name for the mailbox will most
likely have your landlord’s last name on it. Be sure to tell those from whom you expect to receive
packages that they should write the address very clearly and indicate precisely what the package
contains (e.g., personal effects, used clothing, etc.). If you are sending, although not recommended,
any electronic equipment (computer, printer, etc.), be sure to have a copy of the invoice or bill for
such equipment to show customs and have the sender indicate that you are a student. Customs may
be willing to waive the VAT (20.6% of the value), particularly if the equipment is used or more than
six months old. However, once again, we recommend that you DO NOT send or have items such as
computers, printers, iPods, etc. sent to you. Many electronic devices have been lost/stolen in the
past. If you have clothing or any other items sent to you, please have the sender write “Used
Personal Effects” on the customs form so that you avoid paying excessive customs fees to obtain
your package. You may also ask the sender to remove any tags indicating the item is new, if this is the
case..
Packages should not be mailed to the Centre Madeleine as they may require payment of additional
handling or customs fees and/or the signature of the receiver.
Baggage CANNOT be accepted or held in the School in France office at any time.
Before leaving Paris at the end of the year, students should be sure to change their address with
regular correspondents, their bank, etc., and to leave their permanent address with the School in
France staff. Though we will make every effort to forward any mail received after you leave, be aware
that the School in France is not responsible for mail that arrives after your departure; we cannot
forward mail indefinitely. For a one-time fee, La Poste offers mail forwarding service overseas up
until 6 months after leaving France.
You can buy stamps at the Post Office, of course, but also at any Bureau de tabac. Air mail rates are
considerably higher in France than they are in the U.S. (as of this writing, a France-US stamp for a
letter or postcard that does not weigh more than 20g costs €1.20). La Poste now sells pre-stamped
domestic and international mail envelopes (“prêt à poster”) in packages of ten, at a considerable savings
over what the envelopes and stamps would cost separately. N.B. It costs the same to send a postcard
as it does to send a letter.
Internet & E-Mail
There are many wifi accesses, Internet providers and cybercafés in Paris that provide Internet access at
very reasonable rates and extended hours late at night and during the weekend. While the Centre
Madeleine cannot approach the technological infrastructure available on the Vermont campus, the
program does provide Macs for use in our computer room, a laser printer, and half a dozen hook-ups
for portable computers. Our computers are all equipped with MS Word. The equipment might not
meet demand at certain times of the year (during final exams period in January, for example). At the
Centre Madeleine, study-related word processing will always take priority over e-mail.
For students bringing their own laptop computers, we have wireless access at the Centre Madeleine.
Please note that we have an 802.11g type network. If your laptop computer already has a wireless
card, you can easily connect to the office’s wireless network. If your computer does not have an
integrated wireless card you may buy one beforehand; please make sure that your card is compatible
with our network. You can also find external wireless cards in Paris computer stores for
approximately 50€/card for PCs.
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Each student will receive a middlebury.edu e-mail address for use while completing the M.A. degree.
Please make sure to check your middlebury.edu address regularly, since official information will be
sent to this address.
Skype
Students usually use Skype to keep in touch with family, as Skype-to-Skype calls are free, and Skypeto-landline calls are normally only about two cents per minute.
Phones
Note that public phones now work only with a Telécarte which can be purchased in different
denominations at any Post Office, bureau de tabac, or kiosque de presse.
The use of cell phones in France is common, and are easily obtainable. There are a number of
phone operators : Orange, Free, SFR, Bouygues, and others. There are several systems, to choose
from : 1) non contractual plans that allow you to stop the plan when you are ready (some of these
plans include unlimited texting and phone calls to the US and Canada free of charge), 2) a year or
two year long contract and 3) pre-paid cards which give you a certain amount of minutes. In France,
all received calls on a cell are free of charge. It is fairly easy to compare the plans offered by going
online. Do not abandon your contract when you leave the country. Ask for help from the School in
France for the appropriate documentation proving you are a temporary student and are returning to
your home country. If you ingore this step, you risk being put on a blacklist should you ever return to
France.
Be sure to observe French telephone etiquette when calling to or from your hosts’ phone. It is
impolite to call or receive a call before 9:00 a.m., or after 9:00 p.m. unless this has been previously
arranged with your host. We recommend you use your cell phone instead of the hosts’ phone to
make your personal calls. If you need to use the house phone for whatever reason, ask before you do
so. Your host family may have an international plan to call to certain countries for free. Ask your
host if this is the case. If not, DO NOT call internationally from the home phone.
Fax/Xerox
If you wish to send a fax, you may do so at any post office. There are stores in Paris (often computer
stores or photocopy businesses) that will handle faxes. The School in France’s photocopier is for
office use only. Please note that any photocopying required for coursework is considered your
responsibility. The School in France photocopier cannot be used for such purposes.
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Emergency Numbers
During the on-site orientation, students will receive an Emergency Card listing emergency numbers,
which they should carry with them at all times.
These nation-wide emergency telephone numbers are toll-free from any public phone:
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SAMU (Emergency Medical Team/Ambulance)
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Police
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Pompiers (Fire Department)
Other emergency telephone numbers:
01 47 07 77 77 - SOS Médecins
(Private company where doctors are on call and will come to you (at home, at a hotel, etc.) for
treatment of medical emergencies)
01 40 05 48 48 - Anti-Poison Paris Center (but if in distress, call the SAMU – 15 – immediately)
01 43 37 51 00 - SOS Dentistes
(Private company where dentists are on call and will come to you for dental emergencies)
01 45 74 00 04 - Centre médical Marmottan (for treatment of drug emergencies)
Drogues info service
0 800 23 13 13
01 70 23 13 13
01 47 23 80 80 - SOS Help (English-speaking listening hotline open daily 3 p.m.-11 p.m.)
US Embassy Contact
U.S. Embassy in Paris (Consular Section)
4, avenue Gabriel
75008Paris
Tel : 01 43 12 22 22
mailto: citizeninfo@state.gov
http://france.usembassy.gov/
The Consulate makes a free guide available to U.S. citizens residing in France, which is updated every
year and contains a great deal of useful information and addresses (attorneys, accountants, notaries,
official translators and interpreters, tax accountants and consultants, insurance companies, shipping
companies, banks, religious institutions, English-speaking doctors, cyber cafés, Franco-U.S. and U.S.
organizations, etc.). They call this guide, the “Blue book”. It is no longer available in print but rather
downloadable on their website: http://france.usembassy.gov/living_in_france.html
If you are looking for doctors recommended by the American embassy go to:
http://photos.state.gov/libraries/france/5/acs/paris-doctors.pdf
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Local Information
If you are looking for a doctor that is covered by your HTH insurance, go to:
http://www.hthstudents.com/doctor_search/by_location.cfm.
If you are looking for doctors recommended by the American embassy go to:
http://photos.state.gov/libraries/france/5/acs/paris-doctors.pdf
Pharmacies open 24/7
Pharmacie Européenne
6, place de Clichy
Paris 9e. Métro: Place de Clichy
Tel : 01 48 74 65 18
Pharmacie Les Champs
84, av. des Champs-Élysées
Paris 8e. Métro: George V
Tel : 01 45 62 02 41.
Pharmacie Italie Tolbiac
61 avenue d'Italie
Paris 13e. Métro : Tolbiac
Tel : 01 44 24 19 72
Pharmacie Centrale
52, rue du Commerce
Paris 15e. Métro : Commerce
Tel : 01 45 79 75 01
In addition, there are about 20 other pharmacies that stay open until 1 or 2a.m.
For further information, visit:
http://www.parisinfo.com/decouvrir-paris/guides-thematiques/paris-la-nuit/cahierpratique/Ouvert-tr%C3%A8s-tard-ou-toute-la-nuit/les-pharmacies-de-nuit
http://www.ars.iledefrance.sante.fr/index.php?id=130422
Counseling
The Counseling Center at the American Cathedral
23, avenue George V
75008 Paris
Tel: 01 47 23 61 13
Religious Institutions
American Cathedral in Paris (Episcopal)
23, avenue George V, 75008 Paris
Tel: 01 53 23 84 00
American Church in Paris (all Protestant denominations)
65, quai d’Orsay, 75007 Paris
Tel: 01 40 62 05 00
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Saint Joseph’s Church (Roman Catholic)
50, avenue Hoche, 75008 Paris
Tel: 01 42 27 28 56
Liberal Synagogue
24, rue Copernic, 75116 Paris
Tel: 01 47 04 37 27
Grande Mosquée de Paris
2bis Place du Puits de l’Ermite
75005 Paris
01 45 35 97 33
Mosque Abu Bakr As Siddiq
39, boulevard de Belleville, 75011 Paris
Tel : 01 48 06 08 46
Lost and Found
Centre des Objets Trouvés de la Préfecture de Police de Paris
36, rue des Morillons
75015 Paris
8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m., & Tuesdays and Thursdays 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
Credit Card Cancellation
American Express
11, rue Scribe, 75009 Paris
Tel: 01.47.77.70.00
9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday
BankAmericard (Visa) Tel: 0 800 90 20 33
24 hours a day for loss or theft
Master Card, Cirrus, Plus, Visa, or MasterCard:
Eurocard France
16, rue Lecourbe, 75015 Paris
Tel: 01.45.67.84.84
24 hours a day; (to notify the bank in the U.S.: 01 43 23 20 76)
Currency exchange
Multi-Change
8 blvd de la Madeleine
75009 Paris
Tel . 01 49 24 96 62
Open Monday – Saturday 9:30am - 6:30pm
Check website for other addresses in Paris: http://www.multi-change.com/
The RATP and SNCF both have useful websites. There is a SNCF boutique near the Centre Madeleine
on rue Chauveau Lagarde.
Bookstores
Gibert Joseph, 26, boulevard Saint-Michel, 75006 Paris
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Gibert Jeune, 2 place Saint-Michel, 75006 Paris
FNAC, 109, rue St.Lazare, 75009 Paris
As well as numerous others FNAC stores throughout Paris ; go to the following page of their
Website to find the store closest to your place of residence:
http://www.fnac.com/localiser-magasin-fnac/w-4
Shakespeare & Company, 37, rue de la Bûcherie, 75005 Paris
There are of course thousands of bookstores in Paris, some of them very specialized; don’t forget to
look for used books (livres d’occasion) that cost much less than new ones. There is a wonderful used
book market in the 15th arrondissement, rue Dantzig, right next to the Parc André Citroën, open
every Sunday.
Cyber-Cafés
Milk Internet Hall
http://www.milklub.com/wp/
Open 24 hours/day, everyday
3 Locations in Central Paris:
Les Halles, 31 bd Sébastopol, Paris Paris 1er
Montparnasse, 5, rue Odessa, Paris 14ème
Opéra, 28 rue du Quatre Septembre, Paris 2ème
Department Stores
Galeries Lafayette et Printemps
Métro:Havre-Caumartin
10 minutes walking distance from the Centre Madeleine
Bazar de l’Hotel de Ville
Métro: Hôtel de Ville
Bon Marché (not très bon marché in fact)
Métro: Sèvres-Babylone
Libraries
A list of libraries is included in the graduate research guide that all graduate students receive
during their initial summer at Middlebury College.
Municipal libraries in the different Parisian arrondissements are accessible free of charge. You can
borrow up to 5 books for 3 weeks. You must sign up to obtain a library card. Documents required:
ID & proof of address in Paris. These are usually closed on Sundays and Mondays.
For a comprehensive list of libraries in Paris (arranged by arrondissement, including detailed location
and opening hours), please visit:
http://bibliotheque.equipement.paris.fr/
Other Online Resources
http://b14-sigbermes.apps.paris.fr/medias/medias.aspx?INSTANCE=EXPLOITATION Depuis le
site de la mairie de Paris : culture > bibliothèques > catalogues
http://www.republique-des-lettres.fr/
http://gallica.bnf.fr/
http://www.culture.gouv.fr/ Site du Ministère de la Culture et de la Communication (liens sur le
livre et la culture)
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Academic Calendar 2015-16
Students should regularly consult the web page of the School in France for updates on the calendar:
http://www.middlebury.edu/ls/grad_programs/french/program_options/paris/calendar
First mandatory in-country orientation meeting for graduate students:
Early September
End of program:
Mid-June
The School in France (Centre Madeleine) will be closed on French legal holidays, during school
vacations, and in July and August.
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