Angers, France

Overview

Angers, located in the western portion of the Loire Valley, has been described by many as a “bright and radiant city.” There are almost 30,000 university students in Angers, which makes it a wonderful place to study, socialize and experience different cultures. The Loire Valley is noted for the quality of its language, it is said that the purest form of French is spoken there. Students attend classes at the Centre International d’Etudes Françaises (CIDEF) on the campus of the Universit é Catholique de l’Ouest, located in downtown Angers. Most classes at CIDEF will be taken with other non-native speakers - U.S. and other international students. A Willamette faculty member will plan excursions and teach a class.

Learn more about the program on the AHA website.

Academics

This program is available to students with any level of French language abilities. Students at all language levels should take a French course the semester prior to studying abroad. (If this is not possible due to academic reasons contact an OIE advisor to discuss the situation.) The semester in Angers begins with an intensive four-week language session for all levels of French. Students receive one WU credit for the intensive session. The semester continues with the course offered by the WU professor and other French culture classes. This program is recommended for many humanities majors. Find more course information here. Qualified students may also choose to take classes at Université Catholique de l’Ouest (UCO). Professor of History, Bill Duvall, will be the Program Faculty Leader for the fall 2010 semester. The current faculty member in Angers is Professor of Anthropology, Joyce Millen. Previous Faculty Leaders were Amadou Fofana (fall 2008), Professor of French and Gaetano DeLeonibus (fall 2007), Professor of French.

Housing

Students live with host families in Angers or nearby suburbs. All breakfasts and dinner three times a week will be provided by the families. Lunches and other dinners are taken at the university restaurant and local cafés.

Dates

The Angers program is available during both the fall, spring, or for a full year. If a student decides to go to Angers for the spring or full year, their language ability must allow them to directly enroll in the university during the spring semester. The WU professor will be in Angers during the fall semester only. In general, the fall semester begins in late August and ends in mid-December.

Cost

Willamette tuition plus a program fee equivalent to Willamette’s Room and Board Plan B which includes room, partial board with host family, a stipend for meals not provided host families, excursions, medical insurance, and on-site support.

Pre-Departure Resources

AHA International Angers, France Program
CIDEF course information
Universit é Catholique de l’Ouest
Understand France website - really interesting!
News
Local Weather
Embassy of France: historical and government information
CIA World Factbook
Lonely Planet Guide