France's second largest city, Lyon is immersed in a rich historical and cultural tradition all its own. With approximately 1 million inhabitants, Lyon has the liveliness and energy of an urban setting yet avoids some of the pitfalls of the Paris metropolis.

Housing is more affordable, the pace of life a bit slower, cultural life is abundant, and the cuisine every bit as good, if not better! Lyon has the reputation of being the gastronomic capital of France. In Lyon, the university is just one part of a diverse, lively city and, as a result, American students will not hear English spoken at every café terrace as might occur in some other common destinations for study abroad in France.

The Université of Lyon II is a center of academic excellence in France. Its strongest departments include French, History, Media Studies, Political Science, Economics, Art History, Arabic, Sociology and Anthropology. Students may take courses at any institution that is a member of the "Université de Lyon" consortium, including the Ecole Normale Supérieure, Université Lyon I; Université Lyon III; Université Catholique; Ecole des Beaux Arts. Thanks to this consortium, for instance, students may take science classes at Lyon I. This is a university-wide program, meaning that students from all majors are invited to apply, and consequently, may enroll in classes in any department at Lyon II. Students will par ticipate in regular Lyon II university classes alongside other French students. This system is what the French call "études intégrées" (integrated studies) affording what we believe to be the most enriching cultural and linguistic experience possible. Unlike other programs which design courses specifically for foreign students, this program provides our students with an authentic experience of higher education in France.

Students in Lyon have an on-site manager who will help them find housing and arrange for monthly cultural activities; a tutor; an optional two-hour per week advanced course in the French language; and individual academic advising at several levels.

Our on-site coordinator serves multiple functions:

• Helps students with housing selection, getting started in Lyon (setting up bank accounts etc), and general orientation to the Université de Lyon-II.
• Organizes monthly cultural activities with the other students on the UVA program. Cultural activities might include going to the theater, the opera or a professional soccer game. Bread and cheese gatherings are also organized. Some cultural activities may also be done in conjunction with students from Brown University and Georgetown, schools that already have established exchanges with Lyon-II. These cultural gatherings are a chance to touch base with people from home, relax, exchange experiences and share new ones! The on-site coordinator is available to students on the UVA program for advice and to help deal with any difficulties that may arise. Of course, the on-site coordinator is available for counsel at any time in case of emergency.

Courses in Advanced French
For an additional fee of approximately 1020 Euros, UVA students who have not completed the prerequisite of FREN 332 (FREN 3032 as of fall 2009), have the option of enrolling in an entire semester of 3000-level advanced coursework in French during the regular academic year. These courses are offered under the auspices of the Université de Lyon-II's highly reputed International Center for the Study of French (CIEF - Centre international d'études françaises).

CIEF Brochure in English

All students have the option of taking a not-for-credit advanced French language class at the CIEF. This class meets for two hours each week throughout the semester and is free of charge.

Tutoring
Students will be provided with six hours of tutoring during the course of a semester to help with homework and written assignments in French. Tutors will help students understand the expectations of French professors with respect to written work such as essays, "explications de texte", "commentaires de texte" etc.

Housing
Students will find their own housing in Lyon with the help of the UVA on-site manager. Students may choose to live with a family, or in an independent apartment. The typical cost of housing ranges from 500-650 Euros per month, and students should expect to pay housing for a full five-month period.

One person's experience while studying abroad in France

Program Information

Study Abroad Program
The study abroad program is designed for UVA students unable to attend Lyon as exchange students, as well as for non-UVA students. (The balance of exchange students with the University of Lyon II is considered when students are accepted.)

Academic Advising
While in France each student will take a full load of courses determined in consultation with a foreign study advisor in the department of the major, UVA's French Department and with Professor Vincent Michelot in France. As is the case with all study abroad programs, you are advised to pre-select a range of courses prior to departure with the understanding that certain modifications may have to be made once in Lyon. It is imperative that each UVA student checks with a foreign study advisor in his or her major department prior to departure. Students must inform themselves, for instance, of the maximum number of credits that may be transferred toward their major. Since students receive transfer credit for the courses taken at Lyon II, no letter grades will appear on your UVA transcript for courses taken.

Before leaving for Lyon, students will pre-select courses in consultation with a foreign study advisor in the major department AND a foreign study advisor in the French department. Once in France, students will review their pre-selected courses with the exchange program's Academic Advisor and instructions will be given on how to register for courses. Pre-selection of courses and consultation with the exchange program's Academic Advisor in Lyon is essential to success in this program. In France, there is no "course shopping period" during the first week or two of classes, so students need to have resolved their scheduling conflicts ahead of time.

Departmental contacts for study abroad course
pre-approval:
Department Contacts

Additional Advising Information:
Lyon Academic Advising

How to find courses at Lyon 2 (part 1)
How to find courses at Lyon 2 (part 2)

UVA in Lyon, Transfer credit equivalency database

How to find courses at the IEP

Please note:
No refund or credit will be given to students who are suspended and/or dismissed from any UVA study abroad programs for conduct and/or academic violations reasons.

Cost
The program costs and payment schedule are listed under the "Budget Sheets" link at the top of this page.

Price includes:

• Tuition
• Participation in the on-site Intensive Language and Culture course prior to the start of classes (required)
  (During the fall semester, this course is 3 credits. During the spring semester, this course is 2 credits.)
• One week stay in a residence hotel upon arrival at the program start date.
• 6 hours of individual tutoring in writing skills for French university course assignments 
• Monthly group cultural activities
• Monthly bread and cheese gatherings hosted by the UVA program on-site coordinators
• MedEx insurance

Price excludes:

• International Airfare
• French Student Visa
• Local transportation
• Housing
• French Insurance (mandatory, see below)
• French Residence tax (mandatory, see below)
• Personal travel
• Laundry and food expenses
• ISIC card (not required, but recommended)

Students are responsible for booking and paying for their international airfare as well as researching and obtaining the necessary visa.

PLEASE NOTE: New French Social Security law!
The law now requires that all international students under the age of 28 who will be staying in France for longer than three months pay the full year of social security insurance. The total cost for the 2009-2010 academic year is 198 Euros. Students must pay this fee upon official registration at Lyon II at the beginning of the semester. Students will also purchase "responsabilite civile" insurance (13 Euros) prior to or at the beginning of the orientation program.

New French Office of Immigration and Integration (OFII) requirement!
The new law requires all students studying in France for longer than three months to submit a residence form upon arrival in France, to undergo a medical exam organized by the OFII, and to pay a 55 Euro tax. Students should bring a certified copy of their birth certificate translated into French. Additional documents may be required, please see French consulate website.

Further Information
Program Director
Professor Janet Horne
Department of French Language and Literature
PO Box 400770
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA 22904
jhorne@virginia.edu