UNIVERSITÉ DE BOURGOGNE (UNIVERSITY OF BURGUNDY)

Dijon, France

Location & Facilities:

Maison de l'Université, Esplanade Erasme
BP 27877
21078 DIJON Cedex
FRANCE

The City of Dijon:  

The Dukes of Burgundy who ruled this fabled land from the 12th to the 15th century endowed Dijon with treasured in art and architecture which have been carefully preserved, and bequeathed a tradition which continues to sustain all of the visual and performing arts, the pursuit of learning. and the art of living--gastronomy. Half-timbered houses built in the 12th and 13th centuries stand next to art deco residences, 15th century townhouses face 18th century Burgundian Gothic architecture as well as fine examples of the 17th century flamboyant style. There are seven museums, and the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts is second only to the Louvre in Paris. Dijon, an hour and a half southeast of Paris by High-speed train (TGV) is the capital of Burgundy and of the department of the Cote d'Or (or the heart of the Burgundy wine growing region).

The University:  

The secular Université de Dijon, founded in the early part of the 18th century officially took the name l'Université de Bourgogne in 1985. It is medium-sized and includes programs such as law, medicine, business and the traditional liberal arts. It has an international reputation for for excellence in modern languages and literature, philosophy, political science, art history and oenology. The College of the Holy Cross has an agreement with the Faculté des Sciences Humaines under whose auspices the traditional courses in the liberal arts may be pursued.

Pre-University Language and Orientation Program in Tours:  

The Holy Cross program in Dijon includes a four-week pre-university intensive language and culture course at the Institut de Touraine. Students are placed with homestay families and share breakfast and the evening meal with their host families. The program at the Institut de Touraine consists of daily language classes and several excursions to surrounding cities and sites of interest. Please note: this program is a required support course and therefore cannot be used to make up a college deficiency. The dates for the Orientation program will vary year-to-year, as does the start of the academic year in all of France. The best approximation is that the pre-program will start early August and run for four weeks.

Academic Year Program in Dijon:  

An academic orientation to the French university system is provided once you arrive in Dijon. Your language tutor will conduct a course titled "French for Academic Purposes," to introduce you to the academic work that is expected of you. Your faculty advisor will also orient you to the university bureaucracy, how to access athletic facilities, computer rooms, health services, registration for courses, etc. The French university calendar is not announced until late summer (things are done somewhat differently in France). Precise dates will be forwarded as soon as possible, but you can "guesstimate" that classes will begin as early as the first week of September. You can plan on three weeks' vacation in December, and around two weeks near Easter time. Classes continue until the end of May and final exams are scheduled in late May and early June.

Language and Support Courses:

In addition to the three required university courses, Holy Cross students take classes in translation, grammar and French academic conventions (thême, version, méthodologie and tutorat) which provide language reinforcement, develop oral and written skills and provide practical support for courses taken at the University.  As part of the language and culture "package", students enroll in a civilization course each term (an aspect of the history and culture of the region) as well.

Course Load for Academic Year Program:

In addition to the language and culture support courses, Holy Cross students must enroll in at least 3  university courses each term.  Please note that students taking a "cours magistral" or lecture course at the University for which no exam is given, must take it with "travaux dirigés" on the basis of which their work will be graded.

Culture Matters:  Cultural Programming and Independent Cultural Immersion Project (ICIP):

Participation in the cultural programming organized by your cultural advisor, and completing your own ICIP under the guidance of your academic advisor will help you feel connected to your new community in Dijon and give you credit for this cultural immersion.  You may fulfill the ICIP as an internship, as community service, or by "following your passion". 

Courses taken at Université de Bourgogne for Holy Cross Credit  (PDF)

Current Course Catalog

Housing:

All Holy Cross students are placed in families in Dijon within walking or short commuting distance (by bus) from the university. Your accommodations will be available from the orientation at the Université de Bourgogne in September through the end of the final exams in June. Housing is handled much the same as at Holy Cross, i.e., housing contracts cover the academic year and you cannot receive "rebates" (during vacations, etc.) for time not spent at your home or dorm. Students who elect to move from the assigned accommodation without the approval of the Dijon Housing Coordinator and the Director of the Study Abroad Program will not be refunded any room and board fees. Only under very special circumstances are students allowed to change their placement. Questions or problems should be brought to the Housing Coordinator's attention immediately.

Financial Matters:

You will be billed Holy Cross tuition and Holy Cross standard room.  These amounts will be billed in two installments (July and December).  These bills will come directly from the Bursar's Offce at the College of the Holy Cross.  These charges represent the Institut de Touraine program tuition, room, *board*; academic year tuition, room, *board*; academic year language tutoring; bus passes; and outings during the academic year.  *Board consists of two meals daily.

You make your own flight arrangements.  The College will credit your Holy Cross account for your transportation costs in July.  The amount will be determined in the spring based on the average price for one round-trip ticket to your host destination, rail transportation to your pre-program language training in Tours, from Tours to Dijon and Dijon back to Paris.  

For Holy Cross sponsored programs, financial aid is available to students who qualify with the exception of Alumni Memorial Scholarships, which do not travel abroad.  Generally, the total financial burden on the family for a student to study abroad should not be significantly more than for a student remaining at Holy Cross, but financial aid packages may be different from what a student received at Holy Cross. Students should, however, plan for the added expenses of their own entertainment and travel and the higher cost of living in France, for example.  If you need help considering your budget, please contact Angie Woodmansee.  Note:  French visas have required special financial considerations, but should still be accessible to all students.  You must plan ahead.

Visas: 

All students who are studying abroad in France are required to obtain a Student Visa prior to departure. The process can be time consuming, and you should begin assembling the necessary documents as soon as you are accepted. You must first register online at campusfrance.org. Once you receive confirmation that your registration has been accepted, you can then begin the application process.

In order to obtain your visa you must present your documents in person at the Consulate General of France which has jurisdiction over the state in which you permanently reside.  For information on how to obtain a full year Visa, students should contact the Consulate which serves where they permanently reside. For a list of the Consulate nearest to your home click here.

 

Study Abroad Contact Person:
Interim:  Christopher Van Booven - Assistant Director
Email:  cvanboov@holycross.edu
Phone:  508-793-2755
Office:  Smith 213