January 17, 2020
Summer study abroad in France & $2,000 scholarship!
The ECU summer study abroad program in Strasbourg, France runs in Summer II, from July 1-22, 2020. Students earn 6 Political Science or History Credits, which can count toward the Major in Political Science, History, or Global Studies, and as Humanities and Global Diversity credit for all other majors. SCHOLARSHIPS OF $2,000 ARE NOW AVAILABLE TO EVERY ELIGIBLE STUDENT WHO ENROLLS (SPACE IS LIMITED, BUT NO SEPARATE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION IS REQUIRED). ALL MAJORS ARE WELCOME! More Information and the Application to Enroll in the Program by the deadline of January 31, 2020 are here: https://piratesabroad.ecu.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgramAngular&id=10645
Strasbourg is the capital city of the Alsace region of France, which has been claimed by both French and German nationalists from the 1850s to the 1950s. It was a symbol of Franco-German rivalry–one of the main drivers of the First and Second World War. We will explore the city of Strasbourg, whose architecture reveals past European concerns and border conflicts, all of which have left multiple layers: Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, French, and German. We will also visit several cities and landmarks in the area (both in France and Germany). The city of Strasbourg was chosen after World War II as one of the main locations for European government institutions created to prevent new European conflicts. Not only the European Parliament, but also the Council of Europe and many other European Union institutions are located there. You will have the chance to walk across the open border between France and Germany, to be confronted with two foreign languages, and to witness the many similarities and differences that form the fabric of the European Union.
During our time in Strasbourg, we will also visit Heidelberg and the Heidelberg Castle in Germany; the quaint historic town of Colmar with its half-timbered houses, called “Little Venice” for its location on the beautiful Lauch River canals; the Natzweiler-Struthof concentration camp; a centuries-old Jewish cemetery and synagogue; and various World War II memorials in Strasbourg and Kehl, Germany. Such historical sites do not exist in the United States and cannot be replicated here. Come and experience this diverse, centuries-old European culture firsthand!
The Program cost of approx. $3,545 (PRIOR TO THE $2,000 SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNT) includes:
- 3 weeks in a double room in the historic Château de Pourtalès in Strasbourg
- Daily hearty breakfast
- 6 hours of college credit
- One-month public transportation pass
- Day trips, walking tours, museums, welcome dinner, local concierge guiding excursions
- Visits to the European Parliament, Heidelberg Castle, Colmar, Struthof Concentration Camp
- Student ID card, application fee, insurance
The two courses, both taught in English, are:
- The European Union from World War II to Now
- Mission Impossible?: Forced Migration and Integration in France and Germany (HU/Global Diversity)
Students should budget approximately $1,000-$1,400 for the plane flight to and from France, and around $500-$1000 in spending money, depending on individual spending plans. If they wish to take a weekend and go to Paris, for example, they should bring an extra $300 to cover the cost of the train ticket, hotel/Airbnb room, food and museum tickets for two nights. The scholarship will be applied to your account the week prior to the study abroad trip.
To find how how FAFSA financial aid can cover the cost of this study abroad trip not covered by scholarship money, students can speak to Jeff Evans (evansje@ecu.edu) at the ECU financial aid office in the Old Cafeteria Building. His walk-in hours are from 11am-noon and 3-5pm Monday through Friday. The best way to reach him is to go to the Cashier’s Office and tell them you’d like to speak to him, and they will send you up to his office.
Please contact Dr. Jill Twark at twarkj@ecu.edu or 252-328-6536 for more information on the Strasbourg, France study abroad opportunity this summer.