Université Catholique de l’Ouest Exchange Guide
for GVSU Applicants 2/9/2016
The information in this document is subject to change. PIC aims to provide students with the most up-to-date information; however,
information at the host university may change. Updated information will be provided to participants when it becomes available.
If you find a link does not work, please copy and paste the website into your browser. If the link still does not work, please let us know.
All GVSU students who want to earn credit at GVSU for a study abroad program
must first apply for home school approval through the OASIS online application
system, www.gvsu.edu/oasis.
1 Home School Approval
The study abroad application through the GVSU online system (OASIS) allows
students to apply for home school approval to participate in a specific study abroad
program. If you change your study abroad program at any time, you must submit a
Study Abroad Change Form. All programs are subject to approval. The OASIS
application entails: Conditions of application, essay questions, release of
information, faculty references, emergency contacts, risk and release, and a
required deposit of $105.


 Study Abroad Orientation
Keep your information updated. The Padnos International Center refers to
the information in OASIS for up-to-date program information, and student
contact information. Please let us know if information changes.
Message System/connect with other program participants. Students can
easily get in contact with other program participants using the OASIS
messaging system.
All study abroad participants are required to attend one Study Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation. Students who
attend one of these required sessions will be eligible to receive their full deposit refund. We will not refund the
deposit to students who do not attend one of the many sessions offered throughout the semester prior to your
departure.
Once you are “accepted” to participate in your chosen study abroad program, your OASIS account will give you access
to additional information, including required forms.
 Required Documents
The documents below are due to PIC by: AUG 15 (Fall departures); DEC 15 (Winter departures); MAY 15 (Summer
departures)
All students must submit the following required forms in order to be eligible to receive their deposit refund:
□ Flight Itinerary
□ Medical insurance
□ Passport copy
□ Health information
Students who plan to use financial aid to help cover the cost of their study abroad program must submit:
□ Expense Form
□ Accept the financial aid you plan to use for your semester abroad in MyBanner.
Students who plan to take course abroad that will fulfill specific degree requirements must submit:
□ Course Approval Form and/or email confirmation specifying the departmental approval.
The Padnos International Center has a number of advisors available to answer question you may have throughout the
process.
General advising: Stop into 130 LOH to speak with a Peer Advisor or email studyabroad@gvsu.edu.
 Study Abroad Advisors
Pre-acceptance advising: Meaghann Myers-Smith, Study Abroad Advisor, myersmea@gvsu.edu.
Post-acceptance advising, host university application information, and while you are abroad: Rebecca Hambleton,
Director, Study Abroad & International Partnerships, hambletr@gvsu.edu AND Chris Borda, Office Coordinator,
Study Abroad, bordac@gvsu.edu.
 Financial Aid Guide for Study Abroad
If you plan to use your GVSU financial aid to pay for your study abroad expenses, please review the Financial Aid
Guide to Study Abroad available on the PIC website at:
www.gvsu.edu/studyabroad, select “Funding”, then select “Funding FAQ’s.”
 Course Approval Process
For detailed instructions on securing approval for the courses you want to take abroad, visit:
 Pre-Departure Checklist
Visit www.gvsu.edu/studyabroad, select “Getting Started”, then select “Step-by-Step Guide”, go to Step 6 for a
detailed pre-departure checklist.
http://www.gvsu.edu/studyabroad/partnership-academics-517.htm
Once a student has been approved by the Padnos International Center to
participate in a partnership program, the student will be invited to begin working
on the host university application materials. Students are still subject to approval
by the host university and must also complete the required application materials
to formally apply for this program. Again, the OASIS application is for the home
school approval only.
2 Host University
Application
 Required documents
The following documents must be turned in to PIC by:
Fall departures: February 20
Winter departures: September 25 Summer departures: February 20
(Please turn in your completed UCO application materials to PIC by the deadline listed above.)
If your application is complete before the walk-in days, please bring your materials to PIC.
ALL APPLICANTS MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:



Application Program Options Form (from PIC)
Passport copy
Transcript (PIC will request a copy of your transcript from Records for your application)
Students applying to regular UCO courses taken with French students must also submit:




1 passport photo (PIC can take passport-size photos payable with cash or check)
Learning Agreement
Application for housing
Students applying UCO regular courses with French students must submit the hardcopy application for
called “Dossier d‘ Inscription.“
Direct links to application for UCO regular courses taught in French with French students:
http://www.uco.fr/internationaluco/academic-exchanges/practical-info/
http://www.uco.fr/internationaluco/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Dossier-dinscription-IN.pdf
Students applying for CIDEF Language Center (for French language courses) must also submit:

Student applying for CIDEF must complete the online application. You will receive an email after
submitting your application. Please print this page and bring it to PIC with your other application
materials.
CIDEF Applications – follow instructions here:
http://www.uco.fr/services/cidef/inscription/index.php
CIDEF applicants DO NOT PAY THE APPLICATION DEPOSIT of 300 Euro. Select the payment option for sending
a wire transfer so the system allows you to continue without paying.
Course options will vary based on whether a student chooses the CIDEF program or the regular UCO courses in
French with French students. Students who choose the CIDEF program can find course information at:
http://www.uco.fr/internationaluco/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/CIDEF-annee-universitaire-2014-eng.pdf
 Course options
Regular UCO course options can be found at:
http://www.uco.fr/international/pole-international/programme-d-echanges-21235.kjsp?RH=SITE1_RP4-RS2-FR
Course options are not always easy to find; however, students fluent in French will be able to find information
on the website by searching their specific area of academic interest.
Students are advised to meet with a faculty member in the French section of Modern Languages for academic
advising.
 Program Costs
A detailed budget breakdown is available on the PIC website. Search for Université Catholique de l’Ouest (UCO)
then look under “Additional Information.”
http://gvsu.edu/studyabroad/additional-information-universit-catholique-de-louest-624.htm


 Accommodation
Students can apply for a host family at the time of application.
There is also an option for residence halls and private residences. Students interested in either of these
options are required to make their reservation on their own. If you would like contact information for these
accommodations, please contact Rebecca Hambleton at: hambletr@gvsu.edu.
http://www.uco.fr/internationaluco/learning-french/accommodation/
 Program Dates/Calendar
http://www.uco.fr/international/pole-international/programme-d-echanges-21235.kjsp?RH=SITE1_RP4-RS2-FR
Yearly calendar made available on this site.
International Exchange Programs Director, Pierrick Picot - pierrick.picot@uco.fr
Pierrick Picot
Directeur des Programmes d'échanges
Coordinateur Erasmus
Université Catholique de l'Ouest
Angers - France
Tel + 33 241816755
International Exchange Programs Assistant, Béatrice Bernard-Gay - beatrice.bernard@uco.fr
 Partner University Contacts
Beatrice BERNARD-GAY
Incoming & Outgoing students
Universite Catholique de l'Ouest
International Office
3 place Andre Leroy- BP 10808
49008 ANGERS cedex FRANCE
Tel : + 33 2 41 81 66 42
Fax : + 33 2 41 81 66 43
Director of CIDEF, Florence PLESSIS - florence.plessis@uco.fr
Florence PLESSIS
Directrice CIDEF - Université Catholique de l'Ouest
Co-Responsable du Master FLE - UCO
Maître de Conférence en Didactologie des Langues-Cultures
3 place André Leroy
BP10 808
49008 Angers, Cedex 01, France
CIDEF Staff, Laurence AURIEUX—GRIMAUD laurence.aurieux@uco.fr
Timeline for Fall and Winter Semester Participants
This is a general timeline and is subject to change from year to year.
 Application Timeline
Fall Semester
Winter Semester (UCO”s
spring)
Apply to study abroad in OASIS (GV
application system)
Deadline for COMPLETED
application: FEB 1
Deadline for COMPLETED
application: SEPT 10
PIC sends host university application
instructions to students
1-2 weeks after the deadline
1 week after the deadline
Host university Applications due back to PIC
By February 20
By September 25
PIC sends host university applications to
partner universities
By March 1
By October 1
Students attend PIC required Orientation
February - April
October - November
Academic calendar available for entire year &
Course Info
Available online
Available online
UCO will send an email acceptance to
students. Once students have acceptance
from UCO, they can purchase flight.
May or June
Early December
Orientation/arrival dates are confirmed
June
Early December
Housing placements are sent to students.
Late-August
January
Tuition payment due to GVSU
Late August
Mid-December
Travel to France
Mid-September (depends on January (depends on
academic program)
academic program)
UCO sends transcript to GVSU
February
September
The timeline may vary based on the program you select. CIDEF has a separate administrative center
from the regular student exchange (regular UCO courses). Students will either work with the CIDEF
Office or the Exchange Programmes Office.
 Health Insurance
Depending on your length of stay, you may be required to purchase health insurance through UCO. Students
studying in France for more than 90 days will be required to pay the insurance. Students may also be required to
open a bank account in France. The insurance is approximately 210 Euro. Students are encouraged to contact
UCO directly for additional information.
US citizens applying to study in France for more than 90 days must apply for a student visa. In order to apply for a student visa,
you must first submit an application to CampusFrance in the system called PASTEL. Once your PASTEL application is approved, you
may proceed with applying to the French Consulate in Chicago (or the consulate that has jurisdiction over your state of permanent
residence) for your student visa. More details are listed below. If you are a citizen of another country, you will need to contact the
French Consulate for information on how to secure your visa since requirements vary depending on your country of citizenship.
Visa instructions can be found on the CampusFrance website here:
http://www.usa.campusfrance.org/en/page/applying-a-student-visa-%E2%80%93-step-step-0
The French Consulate in Chicago has jurisdiction over Michigan and their visa information can be found here:
http://www.consulfrance-chicago.org/spip.php?rubrique178
Please look over the visa information carefully and do not delay, as visa procedures can be complicated and subject to change.
This process will take a minimum of 7-8 weeks.
The process for securing a visa to study in France is a lengthy process. You will be expected to first apply to CampusFrance with
a PASTEL application. You will complete this application and then send in your payment for the fee (currently $180). Once the
fee has been received by the CampusFrance office, you can expect to wait a minimum of 3 weeks before receiving CampusFrance
approval.
You cannot apply for your visa at the French Consulate until you have this CampusFrance approval.
 Visa information/Link to the
Consulate/Timeline for application
You will be required to make an appointment with the French Consulate in Chicago (or appropriate Consulate if not a resident of
Michigan) in order to apply for your visa. The longer you wait to make this appointment, the fewer options you may
have. Appointments with the French Consulate fill quickly as the start of a semester draws near. You can make an appointment
when you have completed your PASTEL application, and once you have your acceptance letter from the host university. We
recommend your visa appointment is scheduled at least 5 weeks after your submit your CampusFrance payment.
Most Consulates expect visa applicants to apply within 90 days prior to departure. This means, your visa appointment should not
be more than 3 months prior to your date of departure
To simplify this information, please see the timeline below:
1)
2)
3)
4)
Host University Application – Complete in September for Spring semester start or in February for Fall semester start.
By November or May, you should have your acceptance notification from the host university.
Once you have received your acceptance letter, you should proceed with completing your PASTEL application. CampusFrance
agrees to review applications within 21 days of receipt of your payment.
The CampusFrance process takes a minimum of 3 weeks. Once you send off your payment, you can try to secure a visa
appointment with the French Consulate in Chicago for about 5 weeks later. This allows plenty of time for your CampusFrance
application to be approved. During this time, gather all of the other documents required for your visa.
Once you have your CampusFrance confirmation, you can proceed with your visa appointment. You should not attempt to
attend your visa appointment if you do not have your CampusFrance approval. You will be required to cancel your
appointment and re-schedule for another time.
The visa application process through the French Consulate in Chicago will take an additional 2-3 weeks from the date of your
appointment.
If all goes as scheduled, the process for getting your visa will take a minimum of 7-8 weeks from start to finish. This is the ideal
situation. We know that in many cases, there are delays, so add a couple of weeks for unexpected delays.
Become a WELL-INFORMED traveler! Research you host country before you
leave, and avoid going abroad unaware and unprepared. It is up to YOU, the
participant, to research and educate yourself before you leave.
3 Travel Resources
Visit: www.gvsu.edu/studyabroad, select “Before You Go.”
 Flights/Arrival City/Travel to host
institution
 CDC Report/WHO
Students typically fly into Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris and take the TGV high-speed train to Angers (St.
Laud) train station. The high-speed train leaves from the Airport terminal 2. Angers is on the Paris-Nantes TGV
lines. It takes about 1 ½ hours from Paris to Angers. Students can research timetables and ticket prices online at
www.raileurope.com. Students who select a homestay will usually be met at the train station in Angers by the
host family. Students who choose to stay in the student residences (foyers) or other private accommodation will
make their own way to their housing.
All study abroad students are strongly encouraged to carefully review the CDC report for the country they plan
to study in. The CDC report provides information on required and recommended immunizations, health and
safety advice, and packing tips. Visit: www.cdc.gov
The World Health Organization (WHO) offers extensive information on health topics, critical health situations,
statistics, world health reports, country-specific information for travelers. Visit: www.who.org
 State Department Travel Information
All GVSU study abroad students are required to register their trip with the US State Department through the
Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. Visit: http://travel.state.gov for details. Students should also carefully
review the country information posted on the State Department website. Safety and security considerations are
often listed in this document.
 Mobility International (MIUSA)
MIUSA is national leader on providing comprehensive disability support and resources for students for
disabilities going abroad. If you have a disability, we strongly encourage you to utilize the resources available
through this organization as you prepare for your journey. http://www.miusa.org/
PIC offers a variety of country-specific resources that you can explore. Visit our website at:
 Culture guides
http://gvsu.edu/studyabroad/cultural-information-france-625.htm
Discover Angers
http://angers.maville.com/
http://magazine.lifeafterstudyabroad.com/contents
 Returning Home
Many students indicate that returning home from study abroad is far more of an adjustment than the initial
adjustment to the host country. Students have a variety of experiences upon their return home. PIC offers a
welcome back event that brings study abroad students together to share what they learned abroad, and to
connect about the challenges of returning home after adapting to a different culture for many weeks or months.
This event offers a career planning component to help you think about how to articulate to future employers
what you learned through your experiences abroad and how this will help you in your career development.
Visit the PIC website for information about adjusting to life back home after study abroad!
Concerns about safety and security are very common among study abroad
students and their families. PIC offers a pre-departure orientation, online
resources, and individual support to students who have concerns about safety in
another country.
4 Safety and Security
 Resources for emergency situations
http://www.gvsu.edu/studyabroad/health-safety-538.htm
If you experience an incident abroad, please contact Rebecca Hambleton, hambletr@gvsu.edu to file a report
on the incident. When you file a report, every effort will be made to connect you with resources that are
available to you if you.
 Reporting an incident
Other important campus resources that are available to GVSU students in need of assistance with a critical
incident:


 Overseas Security Advisory Council
(OSAC)
 Association for Safe International Road
Travel (ASIRT)
Women’s Center, http://www.gvsu.edu/women_cen/
Counseling Center, http://www.gvsu.edu/counsel/
The U.S. Department of State created OSAC to promote cooperation between America’s private sector
worldwide and the U.S. government on issues of security. Daily news can be found on this site, as well as
country crime and safety reports. https://www.osac.gov/
ASIRT offers more than 100 country road travel reports with guides for travelers including information on
potentially dangerous conditions, road conditions, common road practices, traffic laws and more. Country
reports are available for a fee. Additionally, the website does offer helpful tips for travelers.
www.asirt.org