France Summer
Business & Culture in France
June 2 - 29, 2019
MGT 3304 & MGT 3954 or MGT 5954
6 credit hours
- Steve Skripak
- 2116 Pamplin Hall
- 540-231-6152
- sskripak@vt.edu
- Linda Tanko
- 1046 Pamplin Hall
- 540-231-3562
- ltanko@vt.edu
After two successful, sold-out years, the study abroad program on the French Riviera is back - and even better!
Parents will love this program because it includes a required course taught by an award-winning instructor, offers a first-hand experience in European culture and exposure to the business environment in France, and includes a visit to a prestigious French business school complete with a lecture by a professor who has consulted with the office of the Prime Minister, Edouard Philippe. With a rich history, beautiful scenery, centralized location within Europe, and deep cultural ties to the United States, France has long been an attractive location for study abroad programs. The country is a key trading partner to the U.S. and a net exporter since 1992.
Students will love this program for all the reasons parents do, and because of its seaside location, easy access to travel elsewhere in Europe, and the inclusion of a 3-4 day weekend trip to Paris. Students will also enjoy visiting the many historical sites and museums, both along the Riviera and in Paris. Water sports enthusiasts will find water skiing, tubing, parasailing, wake boarding, and many other activities within easy walking distance of the student lodging, which is less than two blocks from the beach.
Brochure: Click here!
Required Courses: Students will take MGT 3304 and MGT 3954/5954. The MGT 3954 course can be substituted for the Area 3 and/or Area 7 requirement, and will also count towards Pamplin’s International Business Minor.
Students are required to participate in French language classes, as well as company and cultural visits. Keeping a journal covering experiences and observations on cultural differences between France and the US is also required.
Travel
Students will stay in an extended-stay hotel in Juan Les Pins, the resort area of greater Antibes. The building is only two blocks from the beach! Travel will be on your own by plane to Nice, with a shuttle to Antibes provided. The trip to Paris will either be on the French high-speed train system (TGV) or by air on EasyJet.
Preparing
Each student must have a valid passport from their home country. You can apply for a passport at the Acceptance Facility in Squires Student Center, the Blacksburg Post Office (540-552-2751) at the University Mall with appointment or at the Montgomery County Clerk's Office at the Christiansburg Courthouse (540-382-5760), no appointment required. You can get passport photos at most local pharmacies.
You should ensure that you have the proper vaccinations for this program. This can be done through the University's recommended travel clinic (Intravene), a county health department, or your family physician. Your family physician usually does not have the more specialized vaccines and should refer you to the county health department. You can see a list of recommended vaccinations and other health information at the CDC travel website.
These sites have additional information:
- Passports
- Visas
- General Information from the U.S. State Department
- International Travel from the U.S. State Department
- Students Abroad - U.S. State Department
- Customs Information
- CDC Medical Information
- CIA Factbook (A great place for information on the countries we visit.)
- State Department Travel Alerts & Warnings
The Program Fee is $3,700, which includes lodging, a meal allowance, group travel, French language lessons, several group dinners, and an allowance to cover museum entrance fees.
A $500 non-refundable deposit will be required upon acceptance to secure your place in the program, with the full balance due by February 10th.
| Cost Summary (estimated) | ||
| Pre-trip Personal Costs: | In-State | Out-of-State |
| VT GEO Application fee | $50 | $50 |
| VT GEO Participation fee | $50 | $50 |
| Airfare (estimated) | $1,500 | $1,500 |
| Passport | $135 | $135 |
| Pamplin billing: | $3,700 | $3,700 |
| Lodging | Included | Included |
| Airfare (estimated) | Included | Included |
| Required group travel | Included | Included |
| Medical Insurance | Included | Included |
| VT tuition based on 2018: | $2,415 | $6,000 |
| Funds required during program: | ||
| Books & Materials | $100 | $100 |
| Meals not provided | $600 | $600 |
| Personal Expenses | $600 | $600 |
| Total Estimated Costs | $9,150 | $12,735 |
Note
Virginia Tech reserves the right to make cancellations, date and cost adjustments, and other necessary changes in the program. Prices may change due to global economic conditions.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Your financial aid eligibility can apply to this program. You must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to the University Financial Aid Office.
In addition, you must submit the study abroad cost documentation form to the Global Education Office at the International Affairs building, 526 Prices Fork Road, room 131. The form can be found on the Global Education Financial Aid page.
Due to prepayment on items such as air and lodging, billing may not be in sync with financial aid payouts. Please be prepared to pay costs in advance, and be reimbursed with any payouts later..
The application deadline is December 1st.
Go to the VT Global Education site for the program to apply!
Click on the "Apply Now" button on the Global Education page and complete the application process.
Acceptance & Deposit
Once you are accepted into the program and confirm your intent to participate, you will be billed a $500 deposit. This deposit is non-refundable, unless for some unforeseeable reason the trip is cancelled. The balance of the program fee will be due by February 10th.
ELIGIBILITY Freshmen through Seniors, and Graduate Students
Minimum GPA: 2.5 (We will use mid-term grades for freshmen to determine eligibility)
Non-business students and graduate students are also welcome to participate. Priority is given to undergraduate business students.
Coming Soon! - Student Testimonials