Program Snapshot
Explore Chambéry, in the heart of the French Alps, with its historical buildings, museums, and opportunities for skiing and water sports. ISEP participants can choose from 2 options:
Option 1: ISEP-Exchange Academic immersion. Take regular university courses taught in French alongside local students. Top fields include business, engineering, the humanities, and tourism.
Option 2: ISEP-Direct Language and culture program. Focus on French courses at all language levels plus take options in English.
Fast Facts
Chambery, France (pop. 100,000)
Student Enrollment: 12,000
Language of instruction: French
www.univ-savoie.fr/
Course information
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Language Program Information
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Location
The two Savoyard departments, dominated by the French Alps, are bordered on the north by Switzerland and on the east by Italy. Savoie is about three hours from Paris and the Mediterranean coast. Tourists enjoy the area for its Alpine and cross-country skiing and water sports. Chambéry was the capital of the former Duchy of Savoie. Like Annecy 50 kms away, it has preserved the charm of an old city. The Le Bourget campus is 10 kilometers from Chambéry.
Program Type
ISEP-Exchange: Academic year or semester
ISEP-Direct: Academic year, semester or summer
ISEP-Exchange for US students.
ISEP-Direct site for students from all member institutions.
Summer program available.
Chance of Placement
ISEP-Exchange chance of placement for US students is generally Good.
For the most current chances of placement, see the
Sites Open for Applications for US StudentsISEP-Direct programs chance of placement for US students is excellent.
Chance of placement on ISEP-Direct (summer program only) is Excellent.
Program Dates
Option 1: ISEP-Exchange: Regular University Courses Academic year: mid-September to late May
Semester 1: mid-September to mid/late January
Semester 2: January to late May.
Option 2: ISEP-Direct Semester Program in French language and culture Semester 1: Early September (early October for beginners) to December
Semester 2: Early January to Late April
Programs
Option 1: ISEP-Exchange- Regular University Courses Chambéry campus-
Arts, Humanities, Social Science, Law, Economics, Languages and Applied Management (international business, transport, tourism & leisure, hospitality).
Le Bourget campus-
Applied and basic science, and technology, environmental, some
engineering (biology, chemistry, construction & environmental engineering, geology, mathematics, materials science, physics).
Annecy campus -
General Management studies and further
engineering and technology departments (business, administration, electronic engineering & robotics, mechanical engineering).
Option 2: ISEP-Direct- Semester or Full-Year French Language and Culture Program Students wishing to take full-time French language and culture courses must participate in ISEP-Direct. Institut Savoisien d'Études Françaises (ISEFE) at the Université de Savoie ISEFE is a university institute specializes in teaching French as a foreign language to students from non-Francophone countries. French language and culture courses are provided for beginner, intermediate, and advanced students. Courses aim to expand students' knowledge of French culture while honing their reading, speaking, and listening skills. Students are placed in appropriate language levels according to a placement exam taken before arrival. Students can also enroll in up to two additional courses per week organized by the International Relations Office that are specifically designed for international students. Topics include tourism, hospitality, management, and marketing. Courses will be delivered in basic French or English. In addition to these courses, one or two special seminars on aspects of French culture will be offered.
Typical program includes (15 hours/week for 12 weeks, roughly equivalent to 12 US credits; credits dependent upon home university's calculation).
Housing and Meals
Students are housed in single-occupancy bedrooms in shared apartments. Each apartment has two or three individual bedrooms and a shared bathroom and kitchen. A meal plan at the restaurant-universitaire, supplemented by a stipend, is provided. No married student housing can be arranged unless both husband and wife are ISEP students.
ISEP-Direct Semester Program: Students are housed in homestays with an independent room, bath, and kitchenette. Meals are not included.
Orientation
ISEP Students receive a special orientation upon arrival. Students arriving for first semester enjoy excursions to the surrounding region and towns, and social events with the University and local authorities. For second semester arrivals, a 3-day weekend of trips to surrounding ski mountain resorts is organized. The International Office provides assistance and guidance regarding registration, academic affairs, organization of classes, exams and grading systems, and all administrative procedures. The "Student Welcoming Committee" assigns a local student as a contact person, responsible for providing a campus tour, introduction to sports and other activities on campus, integration with the cultural and social activities in the city, contacts with the local student body.
Profile
Université de Savoie is a medium-sized university (12,000 students) with three campuses. Good facilities are offered (library, computing, sports, accommodation) along with special attention paid to assistance for induction, French language, "brush-up" sessions, help with administrative procedures, and organized visits of the region.
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