Introduction The Lyon program, initiated in 1992, is one of a number of Education Abroad Programs conducted by Penn State in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, and Asia. More than 600 students from a wide variety of majors participate annually in these programs. Objectives The Penn State Education Abroad Program at the Institut Universitaire de Technologie of the Université Claude-Bernard in Lyon, France, functions within the context of the objectives characterizing all of Penn State’s study abroad opportunities, especially to: 1. enable students to receive instruction in several disciplines within the context of another culture and to enrich their general academic studies. 2. provide adequate professional training when a study abroad experience is especially desirable, and to add to the intellectual and professional development of students in specialized fields of study. 3. enable students to expand their knowledge of the culture of a country or region of the world by living and studying abroad and at the same time to gain a more objective perspective of the values and way of life in their own country. 4. promote the educational goals of the University by providing an overseas program designed to increase the international understanding of students. Specifically, the Lyon program aims to: 1. enhance the French language proficiency of participating students. 2. promote an awareness of, and appreciation for, the historical background and humanistic heritage of western Europe, specifically French culture. 3. increase students’ understanding of international business operations and international marketing. 4. provide students the opportunity to study, in situ, the business and economic issues confronting present-day Europe, especially France. Lyon France’s second largest city, after Paris, with a population of 1.5 million people, Lyon is located in the area of Rhône, two hours southeast of Paris by TGV. It is well situated at the junction of the Rhône and Saône rivers, which creates scenic waterfront facades throughout the city. Lyon is a principal gastronomic city with many five-star gourmet restaurants, including La Tour Rose in the Old City. It is also the principal center of the French textile industry, particularly of silk production. Two museums offer interesting backgrounds to this industry: The Musée Lyonnais des Arts Décoratifs, which houses furniture, Gobelin tapestries, weapons, coins, etc., and the adjoining Musée Historique des Tissus, which provides a first-class survey of the development of the art of weaving. The city is marked by a magnificent view to the west of the hill of Fourvière, which rises 130m above the Saône and the Old City. On top of the hill is the Basilica de Notre-Dame de la Fourvière (1872-96) from which a splendid view of the city can be seen. Some 500m from the Basilica is a Roman Theatre, which was excavated in 1933, as well as a Gallo-Roman museum. The finest square in town is the Place Bellecour, situated directly in the heart of the city. The newer parts of the city are on the east bank of the Rhône, as well as a spectacular park, the Parc de la Tête d’Or, with both a zoological and a botanical garden. The Institut Universitaire de Technologie To adapt to changing technical and social needs that could no longer be accommodated by the traditional faculties within the French system of higher education, the Government of France began in 1966 to establish university institutes of technology. There are over 70 such institutes in France, each with their own particular departments determined in part by the business and industrial needs of the region in which they are located. The Institut Universitaire de Technologie de Lyon was created in 1968 as an integral part of the Université Claude-Bernard. The instructional focus is essentially practical in nature, making it possible for students to finish their program in approximately two years, after which they can immediately begin a professional career. Since establishment of the first institute of technology in 1966, over 100,000 students have graduated nationwide, with almost 98% of them finding employment in the secondary and tertiary sectors of the French economy. Program Description Participants in the Lyon program enroll during the spring semester (i.e., from the beginning of January through the beginning of May), during which time they take courses specially designed for business administration majors with French language background. To help students adjust to living and studying in a French-speaking environment, an intensive course in intermediate French (FR 199 or 299) has been made an integral part of the academic program. The first several weeks of the program are devoted exclusively to studying French; during the remainder of the semester, when the other courses begin, the French course is conducted on a less intensive basis. Students enroll in three 3-credit courses designed especially for business majors and a 3-credit culture course, for a total of 15 - 16 credits as follows: French Culture and Civilization FR 297 (3 credits) International Business BA 499 (3 credits) Macro-Economics BA 499 (3 credits) European Economics BA 499 (3 credits) Intermediate French FR 199 (4 credits) or FR 299 (3 credits) The courses are designed to meet the accreditation requirements of Penn State’s academic departments, and are taught in special classes offered exclusively for Penn State students. Grading As with any course at Penn State, responsibility for assessing the students’ academic achievement lies with the course instructors. Grades are recorded on each student's transcript. Accreditation All courses offered in the Lyon program are accredited under the course numbers indicated, as listed in the Penn State Baccalaureate Degree Catalog. No transfer of credit is necessary since the student remains registered at Penn State while enrolled in the Lyon program. Living Arrangements Students live with families. The on-site coordinator in Lyon is responsible for making the living arrangements and for assigning students to their accommodation. The families provide housing, breakfast and dinner seven days a week. Students are responsible for their own lunches on weekdays. The Institut Universitaire de Technologie de Lyon does not have student dining halls like those at Penn State. Students are expected to purchase their own meals in university cafeterias, that offer well-rounded meals at reasonable rates. Eligibility The Lyon program is open to all regularly enrolled students at Penn State, although the orientation of the program makes it especially appealing to business majors with beginning French language background. Applicants must be in good academic standing, and must show evidence of maturity, stability, adaptability, self-discipline, and strong academic motivation. Generally speaking, participants should have a minimum cumulative average of a 2.5 GPA. Participants generally are juniors or seniors during their time abroad. Program Prerequisites Students selected for participation in the Lyon program must be of at least junior standing during their semester abroad. Prior to departure, the following course prerequisite courses must be completed: Accounting 211 MSIS 200 Economics 02 and 04 In addition, students are required to complete at least 8 credits of French language study or the equivalent before departure. Orientation A specially-designed orientation program, conducted during the semester immediately prior to departure, is intended to prepare participants for the adjustment to living and studying in France. Attendance at all orientation sessions is mandatory. Costs Students pay tuition and Penn State room and board for the Lyon program, fees which are payable at the Bursar’s Office in accordance with the standard procedures and deadlines for regular charges at University Park. While the room and board paid to Penn State covers the family arrangements and breakfast and dinner five days a week, students will need to budget extra money to cover their weekday lunches and weekend meals. Students are also required to pay a $150.00 nonrefundable program fee at the time of accepting an offer of enrollment. Round-trip air transportation is an additional cost to the student. Students are responsible for making their own flight arrangements. Textbooks and personal expenses are extra. The Office of Education Abroad Programs has a cost estimate sheet detailing the overall expenses for the semester. Financial Assistance The standard forms of financial assistance are available through the Office of Student Aid. Since students remain registered at Penn State, financial aid packages continue during the period of time in which a student is enrolled in this program. The Office of Education Abroad Programs coordinates closely with the Office of Student Aid to help needy students obtain funds to cover the additional costs entailed by study abroad. The Office of Education Abroad Programs also has a modest grant-in-aid fund that can be drawn upon for exceptionally needy and qualified students. Health and Liability Insurance All participants are expected to carry sufficient health and accident insurance. Students also must have a personal liability insurance that covers them overseas (either a US policy or one they purchase on site). Costs will be discussed during orientation. There are competent medical doctors and hospital facilities in Lyon. Planning Ahead To exploit the many advantages and opportunities of a study abroad experience, it is essential that students, in consultation with their academic advisers, plan well in advance. With careful planning, every participant in this program not only gains regular Penn State credit, but can often apply the credits earned abroad to general education requirements, electives, and/or major requirements. Like all of Penn State’s semester and year-long Education Abroad Programs, this program satisfies the University’s cultural diversity requirement. Students are required to check with their advisers or deans to discuss what impact study abroad may have on their progress toward graduation. For further information and application forms, contact your Campus Education Abroad Adviser or: Office of Education Abroad Programs 222 Boucke Building University Park, PA 16802-5900 Tel. (814) 865-7681