Global Language & Culture in Vichy

There are currently no info sessions scheduled. Please reach out to Cara Mattaliano (caramm@bu.edu) with any questions.

BU Course Component: Global Language and Culture (WED WL 590)
Instructors: Dr. Catherine Ritz & Dr. Mary Churchill
4 BU credits

This interdisciplinary course explores language, identity, and culture through lived experience. You will:

• Improve your French language proficiency
• Understand key features of human language and debunk common myths
• Compare French and U.S. educational systems
• Reflect critically on your experience living and learning in another country

French Language Course and Workshops with CAVILAM
CAVILAM Instructors

On your first Monday in Vichy, you’ll complete a language placement exam assessing your listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. This ensures you’re placed in a class that matches your current level. The classes range from beginner to advanced:

• 5 hours/week of General French instruction, focused on practical, everyday communication.
• 6 hours/week of Thematic Workshops to reinforce key language skills and deepen cultural understanding.

Upon acceptance into the program, students will receive a detailed itinerary. The course fee includes several mandatory excursions and cultural activities. Students may choose to participate in optional excursions for an extra fee.

Historical Tour of Vichy: Discover Vichy, known as “La Reine des villes d’eaux” — the Queen of Spa Towns — on a special guided tour! Wander through its landmarks, parks, and historic buildings; this tour is a wonderful chance to practice your French while deepening your understanding of this charming and historic city.

Historical Tour of Lyon: Explore the heart of Lyon and perfect your French at the same time! This guided tour, specially designed for language students, will help you discover the city’s historical and cultural treasures while practicing your French.

Visit to Saint-Joseph High School, Vichy: Observe classes and connect with staff for a unique insight into French high school life, offering valuable comparisons to the U.S. and other education systems.

Tour of Moulins, Bourbonnais Capital: Wander medieval streets, see Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Palais des Ducs de Bourbon, and explore Maison Mantin’s 19th-century bourgeois heritage.

The Global Language & Culture in Vichy program is open to BU undergraduate and graduate students who:

• Will have completed at least one semester of study in a degree program at the time of the start of the program
• Are in good academic and disciplinary standing
• Have an interest in French language and culture, comparative pedagogies, educational policy, or languages more broadly—especially those who may not otherwise be able to participate in a traditional BU Study Abroad program

Language Prerequisites

No prior coursework in French language or culture is required. However, the program is not designed for advanced or native French speakers.

Academic, Financial & Disciplinary Requirements

Each application is reviewed holistically, with consideration given to academic record, essay responses, communication skills, and maturity.

Academic Considerations

• This program is open to students of all majors and academic interests. For guidance on how the program fits into your degree plan, please consult your academic advisor. We are unable to advise on course equivalencies, substitutions, or how credits may apply to majors or minors.
• Accreditation: The program includes a 4-credit, fully accredited Boston University course taught by experienced BU faculty. All courses carry official BU course numbers and are approved through the University’s curriculum review process.
  Grades: For BU students, grades earned in this program will appear on your transcript and be factored into your GPA. The course taught in Global Language & Culture in Vichy, WED WL 590: Global Language and Culture, will be held to the same policies as courses taught on a Boston University campus.

Disciplinary and Financial Requirements

• Boston University reserves the right to rescind admission to or continuation in any program if an applicant’s academic or disciplinary record is not satisfactory. Boston University students placed on expulsion, academic suspension, or residence separation are not eligible to participate for the duration of the sanction. Deferred separation status will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
• Your Boston University student account must be in good standing. University policy requires the withholding of educational services from any student whose financial obligations to the university are due and/or unpaid.

To enroll in the program, students will be required to provide the following documentation:

1. Passport

• Must be valid for at least six months beyond the program end date.

2. Visa/Travel Authorization

• U.S. Passport Holders:
  • Starting in 2026, travelers will need to apply for an European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) authorization for short stays (less than 90 days) in France and other Schengen countries.
  • ETIAS is not a visa, but a travel authorization similar to the U.S. ESTA system.
    The online application takes only a few minutes and requires:
    • A valid U.S. passport
    • A credit card for the €7 fee
    • A valid email address
  • Admitted students will receive a reminder and instructions to complete the process.

• Non-U.S. Passport Holders:
  • Check the ETIAS website to see whether your country requires a visa or travel authorization.

Recommendations

• Begin any visa or travel authorization process immediately upon confirmation of admission to the program.
• Ensure all documents are valid for the duration of travel and program participation.

The Global Language & Culture in Vichy course is a 4-credit spring semester course that will take place in Vichy, France. Students will pay:

• BU spring tuition (for 4 credits, billed through the student account)
• Course Fee: $2,800 (covers housing, excursions, CAVILAM-taught French language courses, and other on-site program costs)
  • Billing: The course fee will be charged at the same time as tuition and will appear as a separate line item on your tuition and fees bill.
  • Timeline: The course fee is due on the same schedule as tuition.
    • Important: Please review the withdrawal fee policies and timeline outlined below.

What’s Included

• Housing (choose one)
  • Homestay: Includes daily breakfast and dinner, or
  • Studio apartment: Private studio with kitchen facilities (meals not included)
• Study facilities at CAVILAM–Alliance Française
• French language and cultural coursework at CAVILAM–Alliance Française
• CAVILAM–Alliance Française enrollment fee
• One group dinner in Vichy
• Program activities (entrance fees and transportation included):
  • Historical tour of Vichy
  • Historical tour of Lyon
  • Visit to Saint-Joseph High School, Vichy
  • Tour of Moulins, Bourbonnais capital
• Group train transportation between Paris and Vichy (round trip)
• Overseas medical insurance, and emergency evacuation coverage

Estimated Additional Costs (Not Included in Course Fee)

• Airfare: $700–$1,000 (estimate; refundable tickets recommended)
• Meals:
  • Homestay: Breakfast + dinner provided; students cover lunches (except on days we travel to excursions)
  • Studio apartment: Students cover all meals
• Visa fees (if required)
• Personal expenses (local transportation, activities, souvenirs, etc.)

Note: Any item not explicitly mentioned above will be the financial responsibility of the student.

Boston University cannot refund out-of-pocket costs and strongly recommends purchasing refundable or flexible airfare.

Payments: Withdrawal and Refund Policy

The withdrawal policies for Global Language & Culture in Vichy differ from Boston University’s standard on-campus course withdrawal policies.

Within one week of acceptance, students must submit a commitment confirming their participation in the program. At this time, they will also be required to sign the withdrawal and refund policy outlined in their acceptance letter. By signing, students acknowledge and agree to the withdrawal and refund policies outlined in their acceptance letter, as detailed in the timeline below.

Key Dates and Deadlines

• Tuesday, October 14, 2025: Priority application deadline
• Tuesday, October 21: Applicants notified of application status
• Tuesday, October 28: Commitment letters due (students sign to confirm participation)

Refund and Withdrawal Timeline

• Monday, November 10, 2025: Last day for a full refund
• November 10–December 2: Partial refund of $700 available
• After December 2: No refunds available

Boston University Wheelock is committed to making global education experiences accessible to all students. A limited number of scholarships may be available, and students who wish to be considered must indicate their interest at the time of application.

Scholarships may be awarded through a collaborative review by the admissions team and the BU Financial Aid Office. Students are encouraged to contact the BU Financial Aid Office early in their planning process to confirm eligibility for aid, discuss available scholarships, and explore additional funding options.

Students may also seek out additional funding from third party sources. Below is a list of potential third-party sources:

General Study Abroad Scholarships

• Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
• Fund for Education Abroad
• Going Study Abroad Scholarship
• HI USA: Explore the World Scholarship

Helpful Search Engines

• Goabroad
• IEFA
• Institute of International Education’s Study Abroad Funding

Additional Resources

• USA StudyAbroad
• Allabroad.us

This program is developed BU Wheelock, not the BU Study Abroad office, but their website may have helpful resources (listed below).

When you study abroad, you embark on one of the great adventures of your life. With some forethought and a little planning, you can help ensure that your study abroad experience will deliver the adventure and education you want. To explore key considerations and resources to help you stay safe, healthy, and ready for the journey ahead, visit BU Study Abroad’s Health & Safety page.

Boston University seeks to build and sustain programs that make every student, whether from Boston University or elsewhere, feel prepared, welcomed, supported, empowered and valued throughout their experience. Studying in a new location, either abroad or elsewhere within the U.S., opens a window to diverse and different practices, values, points of view, and ways of life. Similarly, our students embody a wide range of identities that can affect their experiences while on a study abroad program. BU is committed to preparing all students to adapt and thrive in their new surroundings and ensuring that all our programs are safe, welcoming, and accessible regardless of ability, gender, sexual orientation, race or ethnicity, economic status, nationality, religion, or any intersection of these identities. Learn more by visiting BU Study Abroad.

Step 1: Complete the Application Form
The application form will opened on September 3, 2025. Submit your application through this Google form by the priority deadline below:

• Priority Application Deadline: Tuesday, October 14, 2025, 5 pm (ET)
  Applications received by this date will receive early consideration. Space is limited, and the program may fill during this round. If the program reaches capacity, a waitlist will be created. Applicants on the waitlist will be notified of admission after the formal acceptance due date (October 21, 2025).
• Second Application Round (if space remains):
  If spots remain, a second application round will open. These applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Step 2: Prepare Your Materials
You will be asked to provide:

• Basic academic information (GPA, program of study, etc.)
• Responses to two essay questions
• An optional essay to be considered for a scholarship
• Contact information for one faculty or staff reference (no formal recommendation letter required)

Step 3: Interview
Some applicants may be invited to a brief interview. Interviews are scheduled after applications are received and help the admissions team learn more about your goals and fit for the program.

Step 4: Notification of Admission
Admission decisions will be communicated within approximately one week of the application deadline. For second-round applicants, decisions will be made on a rolling basis.

Step 5: Confirm Your Spot

• Within one week of acceptance, students must submit a formal commitment confirming their participation in the program.
• Remaining fees and course tuition will be billed according to the payment schedule included in your acceptance letter.
• Students will be notified if they have received a full or partial scholarship on the day they receive their admission decision.