Description

The Dickinson Center in Toulouse welcomes students from Dickinson and other U.S. colleges and universities for the full academic year or for the fall or spring semester.

Toulouse is a thriving cultural and commercial center lying between the Garonne River and the Canal du Midi in southwestern France. It is famous for its many structures in pastel brick that give the city its name of "la ville rose". Toulouse is the fourth-largest city and the second-largest university center in France. This significant student presence makes for a youthful city, offering an array of social and cultural opportunities. In one survey, French citizens rated Toulouse the city in which they would most like to live (excluding the capital) based upon quality of life.

* Academic Program

While Dickinson's Toulouse program is language intensive and designed for students with an advanced level of French, participants have the chance to study a tremendous variety of subjects at the program's five partner institutions:

- Universite de Toulouse 1 for studies in Social Sciences (Economics, Management, Marketing, Policy, etc).
- Institut dEtudes Politiques for studies in Political Science (International Relations, Media and Communication, Economics, Specialized programs in sustainable development, globalization and other current topics, etc).
- Universite de Toulouse 2 (Le Mirail) for studies in the Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (Literature, History, Psychology, Applied Mathematics, Sociology, Anthropology, Art History, Film, Music, etc).
- Universite de Toulouse 3 (Paul Sabatier) for studies in the Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, etc).
- Institut Catholique for studies in the Humanities and Social Sciences (History, Religion, Philosophy, Psychology, Communication, etc).

In addition to enrolling in the local universities, students may take courses in French language and civilization at the Dickinson Study Center. Classes are taught entirely in French by faculty from the University of Toulouse and Dickinson College.

The Dickinson Center, which serves as a study and resource space for students, is conveniently located within the city of Toulouse on the banks of the Midi Canal. In addition to taking classes, attending conferences, and meeting with classmates at the center, students may use the library and computer stations.

* Internships

For academic-year students with a good command of the French language, internship opportunities are available in business and marketing, public administration, journalism and communications, education, the arts and applied sciences and medicine. Students completing an internship also enroll in the required internship seminar at the center, and receive one credit for their work.

Field experiences are available to students studying in Toulouse for a single semester.

* Excursions

Field trips and cultural events enrich the program. Visits to the ruins of the Cathar castles (Montsegur), Romanesque churches and monasteries (Conques), fortified villages (Cordes-sur-Ciel) and prehistoric caves (Niaux) reinforce history, culture, and language courses. The program also includes a four-day excursion to Paris.

* Housing

To ensure that students experience local culture to the fullest, all Toulouse program participants are housed with French families. The families are carefully matched with students for compatibility. These host families open their homes and their tables so that students may discover French culture through a family's daily life.

Highlights

The Dickinson in France program gives students the opportunity to live and study in Toulouse, known as one of France's most youthful cities because of its vibrant student population. In addition to taking courses at the Dickinson Centre, students may study at one of five local universities. While in the Toulouse program, participants live with home-stay families, enjoy academic excursions to sites of regional and national interest and may undertake internships.

Degree Level

Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Subject Areas

Cost in US$:

Please click link above for more information.

Program Fees Include:

The program fee for 2011-2012 will correspond to on-campus tuition and fees and will be determined during spring 2011. For the current year's fee, you can request a copy via e-mail.

Program Fee Includes:
* tuition and fees
* room and board
* pre-departure and on-site orientations
* academic and cultural excursions

The program fee does not include primary health insurance, airfare, passport, visa, immunizations, optional travel, personal expenses, meals and housing during vacations, books or supplies.

Experience Required

yes

French competency.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Scholarships are Available

Full Dickinson financial aid is available for Dickinson students, including work-study opportunities for those eligible.