France: Universite D’Artois
The Washington College in France Program is a Tuition Only Exchange Program based at the Universite D’Artois.
Situated in a small city approximately one hundred miles to the north of Paris (fifty minutes by high-speed train), the Arras campus of the Universite D’Artois is one of the most recently created centers in France for the study of the liberal arts. The campus received its first students in the early 1990’s and has been rapidly growing ever since.
Arras itself was famous throughout Europe during the Middle Ages for the manufacture of textiles. While few evidences of the medieval city remains, it does boast two of the most beautiful 18th century public squares in all of Europe. Both the city and the campus are of a scale that should appeal to a student who is hestitant about facing the costs and pressures of big-city and big-university life.
Faculty
All classes will be taught in French by regular faculty of the Universitœ D’Artois. The “Service de Scolaritœ,” located on campus, advises all students. The French coordinator for this program is M. Raymond Ledru, Chair of the English Department, who has ties in Chestertown that have led to frequent visits to our campus.
Requirements
All well qualified sophomores are eligible to apply for the exchange program with the Universite D’Artois. This program is open to students in all majors. Students should meet the following prerequisites:
- Avanced French Language Skills (ideally through the 303-304 level).
- Strong academic record.
- Evidence of good character, maturity, and motivation.
- Ability and willingness to adapt to a foreign environment.
The cost of international travel between the United States and France; housing costs; meals; local transportation while in France; health insurance; and personal expenses are the responsibility of the student applicant unless other arrangements have been made.
Students should make an appointment to speak to the Director of Student Financial Aid to discuss the financial aspects of the program they plan to attend.
Living Arrangements
D’Artois does not have student dormitories, however through a student office—called the “C.R.O.U.S.”—they provide assistance in locating appropriate off-campus housing, perhaps with other students or with a family. Housing is relatively easy to arrange, although more possibilities are available in June, when the office opens, than in October, when classes begin. A furnished room in a home or an apartment will probably cost $250/month. The “Auberge de la Jeunesse” (Youth Hostel), located on the Grande Place in the center of the city, is the best place to stay while looking for a room.
Curriculum
As an exchange student at Artois you can choose the subjects that you want in any level of the degree program and in any Faculty. The Faculty of Letters and Arts and the Faculty of Languages are the departments from which many Washington College students take coursework. Other areas of study include: Art, Business, Foreign Languages (German, Spanish, Chinese, Dutch, Polish, Russian and English), History/Geography, and Humanities.
You have to know that at Artois University (and in the whole France), the degrees are divided up by year/semester:
- “Semester 1” and “Semester 2” = 1st Semester (fall) and 2nd Semester (spring) for the first year of a degree (called “license” in France).
- “Semester 3” and “Semester 4” = 1st Semester (fall) and 2nd Semester (spring) for the second year of a degree.
- “Semester 5” and “Semester 6” = 1st Semester and 2nd Semester for the third and last year of a degree.
- Then there are semesters 7, 8, 9, 10 for the 2 years that compose the post-graduate diploma called “Master” in France.
When compiling your semester courses, keep in mind that you may have to change some subjects when you arrive because, for example, you realize that classes are taught at the same time.
