FRANCE
Sponsored by Sister Cities of Louisville, Inc.,  the University of Louisville, and the Mayor’s Office of International Relations in Montpellier, France.

Montpellier Work Exchange: one month in summer
THE PROGRAM:  The Montpellier Work Exchange began in 1954 as one of the many activities run jointly by the city of Louisville and her sister city, Montpellier in France.  It is the longest-standing Sister City exchange in the United States. The program provides students with the opportunity to live and work in Montpellier, France during the month of July, enabling them to gain first-hand knowledge of French culture and expanding their abilities in the French language.  At the same time, the city of Louisville hosts a comparable group of students from Montpellier, enabling them to gain first-hand knowledge of U.S. culture and to have time to practice their English.

JOBS IN MONTPELLIER:
The paid jobs provide practical experience in using French in the workplace.  Students are cautioned to see these jobs less as training in a specific field and more as creative opportunities for them to practice the language and learn more about the French lifestyle.

PROGRAM COST:
There is a non-refundable administrative $50 application fee.  An additional non-refundable program fee of $350 is due from U of L students within 10 days after notification of acceptance. (The program fee for non-U of L students is $400.)   These fees must be paid by Money Order only, payable to the “University of Louisville.”  Students are responsible for covering their other costs:  airfare, room and board, local travel, and other personal expenses.  A basic budget estimate for this is $4,000.  Financial Aid and other scholarship support may be available for U of L students.  Students are advised to contact the Financial Aid office and the Dept. of  Classical and Modern Languages for further information.

TRAVEL AND INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ID:
Students make their own travel arrangements; however, the International Center can  help with this.  Students must also purchase International Student ID cards from the International Center at a cost of $22.  This card provides emergency insurance, access to student discount airfare, and other discounts while abroad.

PROGRAM DATES :  The dates for 2012 will be Sunday, July 1, 2012  to  Saturday, July 28, 2012.   First day of work is Monday, July 2, 2012.

ROOM and BOARD:
Students reside in dormitories and are responsible to cover the costs of their room and board. Move-in day in 2012 is Sunday, July 1, 2012; move-out day is Saturday, July 28, 2012.  The estimated amount for the room is $500, including linens. Incidental expenses, including meals, are estimated at $2,000.




HOST FAMILIES:
Each student is assigned a local host family which serves as a community liaison.  Students do not live with the host families, but participate in various activities with them.                        

ELIGIBILITY, SELECTION, APPLICATION:
Students from any discipline are welcome to apply.  However, they must be full-time students at the time of application and continuing students upon their return. Graduating seniors must provide documentation of acceptance to graduate school in the semester after their return.  Students must also have a GPA of 2.75 or better and be at the 300-level or above in French language. Students must also be U.S. citizens.

Application deadline:  February 15.  Incomplete applications will not be accepted. 

Complete applications include:
•    Completed application ( in English and in French)
•    A French “Letter of Motivation” ( cover letter)
•    French resume
•    An English “Letter of Motivation” (cover letter)
•    English resume
•    Full transcript (unofficial is acceptable)
•    For graduating seniors, letter of acceptance or other documentation for graduate school
•    2 Recommendations from faculty members, other letters may also be submitted
•    Photocopy of passport (or copy of passport application)
•    $50 non-refundable application fee (money order only)

COURSE CREDIT &  TUITION REMISSION:
U of L students may earn up to six credit hours in French in French 551 (Oral Practicum – 3 credit hours) and/or 552 (Research project – 3 credit hours).  Tuition Remission is available to U of L students only. Students must complete the U of L Dept/Tuition Remission form and submit it along with confirmation of having registered for the course or course.  Approval of the tuition remission will be sent to the Bursar’s Office for the remission.

Other students may be able to work out credit arrangements with their home institutions.
 
STUDY ABROAD PAPERWORK PACKET:
U of L students accepted for the Montpellier Work Exchange (MWEX) are expected to complete the U of L Study Abroad packet which includes forms for financial advising, tuition remission, emergency contact, and student responsibility.  Students from other institutions will be required to complete a slightly different study abroad packet.

These materials are to be submitted within one month after acceptance.

FURTHER INFORMATION:
Contact the International Center at (502) 852-6602.  (Address: International Center/ University of Louisville/Louisville, KY 40292.)  Or,  contact the Department of Classical and Modern Languages at (502) 852-6686 for further details. (Address: Dept. of Classical and Modern Languages/ Humanities Building/ Rm 332/ University of Louisville/Louisville, KY 40292.)

APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE NOW

SUBMISSION DEADLINE:
FEBRUARY 15