Study in the French Alps - Undergraduate Research in Earth Science (in English, French) - ISEP Exchange
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
• From castles, to vineyards, to beaches, to lavender fields, France is a great country for experiencing stunning scenery and peaceful villages.
• Benefit from life in the French Alps while deepening your understanding of French language and mountain culture in this language and culture intensive program!
• Take in all the region has to offer by participating in the many planned activities and excursions that are available free of charge or at a very low cost through the international student office.
• Enjoy the beauty of Chambéry with its historical buildings, museums, pedestrian squares, and streets with colorful café terraces. The area is known for its quality of life, magnificent natural surroundings, history, and heritage.
LIFE ABROAD
Enjoy life in a region surrounded by the breathtaking scenery of the Alps and crystal-clear lakes. This is a fantastic location for outdoor adventurers!
LIVE
Live in a university residence hall with a roommate who could be your new best friend. Housing includes a private room and a shared bathroom and kitchen. While academic coursework and the research project will take place at the Bourget du Lac campus, students will stay in a residence in the Chambéry campus, just a 20-minute bus ride away.
DINE
Experience mouth-watering French cuisine by digging into cheese fondue, which the region is known for, or a French pastry to satisfy your sweet tooth. Grocery stores are located close by, and local food markets are abundant for all of your cooking needs. Dig into a picnic lunch in one of the many on-campus green spaces or relax at a quaint cafe serving French delicacies.
EXPERIENCE
Whether you want to ski, snowboard, snowshoe, or stroll through picturesque mountain villages, all the opportunities are right on your doorstep. To help you do so, the university organizes excursions each weekend for free or for a very budget-friendly price.
EXPLORE
The campus is ideally situated approximately three hours from both Paris and from the Mediterranean coast of France. Lyon, Geneva, and Turin are also nearby larger cities that students can visit with ease. The Savoie region is also centrally located in Europe, so exploring more than just France is very simple.
SCHOLARSHIP
This program qualifies for the ISEP French and German Language Annette Kade Fund Scholarship. The scholarship awards $500 - $1,500 USD to students who are from a U.S. institution and studying French or German language in Austria, France, Germany, Reunion Island, or Switzerland. Learn more here.
What We Love About Savoie
The location is superb! There’s nothing better than enjoying a chocolate tarte and an espresso while seated at a café with a view of the Alps. It feels like stepping into a painting or being on the set of a romantic film.
Course Description
Students will enroll in an intensive research project with a professor in a designated field. Specific research proposals per semester will be outlined on the program page once research proposals have been finalized. All research projects may be completed in either French or English depending on the student's language level.
Students can expect to spend the majority of their time focused on their research project and will also be enrolled in French as a Foreign Language course to help them navigate daily life in France. These two courses will allow students to enroll in a minimum of 24 ECTS. Students can elect to enroll in one or two additional courses at the university in French or in English.
SAMPLE COURSE SELECTION
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Required Courses = 24 ECTS minimum |
Optional Courses + 3-6 ECTS |
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Research Course - 20 ECTS (See Topics Below) |
French as a Foreign Language Course - 4 ECTS |
Course 1 at University in French or English - 6 ECTS |
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Course 1 at University in French or English - 3 ECTS |
Course 2 at University in French or English - 3 ECTS |
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- Courses in English at the Bourget du Lac campus pertain to the Earth Science Field (Spring Only)
- Courses in French can be found in the fields of Chemistry, Geography, Life Science, Earth Science, Math and more
RESEARCH TOPICS
SPRING 2025
- The Research Proposal for Spring 2025 pertains to “Paleoseismology of the North Anatolian Fault from lake Sapanca records”. See full proposal here.
FALL 2025
- There are currently two research proposals for Fall 2025:
1. Synthesis and characterization of materials for the passive sampling of norovirus
2. Preparation/characterization of activated carbon for CO2 gas adsorption and separation
Université Savoie Mont Blanc
Université Savoie Mont Blanc is a medium-sized university with three campuses. Explore Chambéry, a gateway city to the French Alps, with its historical buildings, museums, pedestrian squares and streets with...
Academics
Other Academic Conditions
PASSPORT: All students must have a valid passport to participate in this program. If you do not have a valid passport, we suggest you start the application process as soon as possible.
VISA/RESIDENCE PERMIT: Most students attending this program will be required to obtain a visa/residence permit. For more information on the process and estimated cost, please review the ISEP Country Handbook here.
Semester & Prices
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Housing
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