Study French in France…but in North America

A program of discovery in Saint-Pierre at Miquelton

The situation of Saint-Pierre at Miquelon, at 25 km off the coast of Newfoundland, and its French identity - as part of the overseas development of France - make it an ideal place for learning French while discovering a little known and extremely interesting place.

Even a one or two-week long program at Le Francoforum - the French Language Institute of the is island - allows for intensive exposure to the French Language.

Most people learn to speak by ear, and then they are taught grammar. That is why the French program at St Pierre is so valuable. It is not only an excellent educational facility staffed by young and enthusiastic teachers, it rests in the heart of a totally French community with shops and restaurants, in a small town with surprising history.

That makes the islands themselves, the university, and the entire population a friendly faculty. Add to that the rugged island beauty and the adventuring possibilities are captivating.

These islands are a meeting ground for migratory birds and a sanctuary for southbound whales. To discover the wonders of nature at Saint-Pierre et Miquelon Le Francoforum has designed several courses in partnership with the Le Centre de Voile Andre Paturel, the sailing school of islands.

These programs of nature discovery (running from June to September) rely on several ways of approaching the place and the French Language. You can patrol the coast of the islands with specialists: watch whales, puffins, seals; bring your contribution to elaborate a scientific database on various natural history projects. You can wlak along the numerous footpaths of these stunning islands with a nature guide, explore the fabulous geology, watch out for a bald eagle or deer, discover the spectacular flora of Saint-Pierre et Miquelon. You can also practice marine activities with the sailing school: in zodiacs, sailing boats, catamarans, sailboards and sea-kayaks.

Meanwhile you will improve your French thanks to a communicative approach adapted to all levels and motivations. Brush-up courses will be offered by the teaching team at Francoforum.

An interest in sports and a love of the outdoors is of course preferable. If you like hiking you could spend hours at sea watching seals, birds, and cetaceans, this is for you! These classes can satisfy an interest in biology, human science's or the French language: take your pick! Note that there are three main thrusts of our courses: the discovery of the archipelago's ecology, of its culture and history, and a complete immersion in the French language and culture. If you are interested in sailing you can take up water sports or improve your skills.

The American Phenomena - Combining Sports with Academia

Nineteen years ago, I left my home in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and, along with many other athletes throughout the United States, participated in two gruelling training sessions a day, for several days, preparing for the upcoming soccer season which would begin in September and end with a National Championship three months later. I had been recruited to Lock Haven State College by the Head Coach, Michael Parker, a native of Hull, England, and his assistant, Barry Gorman, who was a former teacher at the secondary school which I had attended in Northern Ireland during my childhood.

Lock Haven State College at this time was one of many small colleges which were associated with the State of Pennsylvania’s Higher Educational system. The college offered four year degree programs in many different areas such as Teacher Education and Certification, Social Work, Political Science, Athletic Training, and Physical Education.

The opportunity to attend an American college allowed me to not only compete within a sport I truly loved, but also gave me the chance to further my education. While participating on the soccer team I was obligated to work towards a degree of my choice, in which my grades were assessed on an annual basis.

Lock Haven competed at the Division III level. Within this division, the allocation of athletic scholarships was not permitted. Payment for my education was subsidized by an international student waiver which covered strictly my course work. The remainder of my expenses; housing, food and everyday living expenses remained by responsibility. Summer employment, which included working on the maintenance crew at a golf course and a work / study position on campus, covered the rest of my expenditures for the year. This, I can assure you, forced me to live on a tight budget; however looking back, this situation helped me to develop independence, along with an appreciation for what an academic degree could do for my future endeavours.

Upon completion of an enjoyable career at Lock Haven, I set out to serve my apprenticeship as an assistant coach and pursue a Masters degree in teaching. After nine years as an assistant coach at The University of South Carolina I was offered my first Head coaching position at Brown University, a member of the prestigious Ivy League. To be a candidate for this position it was required to have an undergraduate degree, preferably a Masters degree and to have obtained a United States Soccer Federation ‘A’ coaching license. In the Ivy League, scholarships are offered on an academic achievement level and a need basis. I was able, through a combination of these financial assistance programs, to bring four players from overseas. These players came from Nerry and Londonderry of Northern Ireland; Cambridge of England and Oslo of Norway. An Ivy League education costs approximately $30,000 per year; however, obtaining a combination of financial aid, loans and work / study programs, expenses can be reduced significantly.

After four successful years at Brown University, I was extremely fortunate to have my dreams become reality when I was offered the Head Coaching position at Clemson University. Clemson is a state university which is rich in both academic and sports tradition. The athletic facilities, considered among the best in the country, include a soccer stadium with an exceptional playing surface and seating which holds 10,000 supporters. At the Division I level, Clemson has been one of the leading programs with two national championships to its credit in 1984 and in 1987.

Clemson is located in the Northwestern corner of South Carolina and is nestles in the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains caressed by the shores of Lake Hartwell. A 1,400 acre campus and an enrolment of 17,000 students from 49 states and 79 foreign countries allows great diversity in Clemson’s quest for academic excellence. The soccer program is fully funded with 9.9 scholarships which is to be divided between 25 players. A player’s scholarship may range from $500 dollars for books, to a full scholarship which covers tuition, room and food, fees and books. This is valued at $12,500 per year for an international student. The amount of scholarship awarded to each individual is determined on the ability level of the player and how much he contributes to the success of the season. Academic standing and character are also influencing factors. It is important to note that scholarships are not decreased based on performance, they are however, increased due to contributions from the previous year.

Playing soccer at the collegiate level is extremely demanding with players attending classes five days a week and also participating either in training or matches six days a week. Most Division I programs have a full time coach with assistants, a team equipment manager, a medical trainer, and a strength / conditioning coach, an academic advisor and a team doctor.

On looking back at the opportunity I was given almost two decades ago, I had no idea it would eventually lead to a career coaching the sport I love. I am fortunate to say I do not view my career as a job, but more of a passion. This was all made possible through both my scholarship at Lock Haven and an opportunity to further educate myself in the collegiate environment here in the United States.

Women Studying Business - The Benefits in America

Women’s colleges in the United States uniquely prepare women for success by offering a strong academic curriculum, professors who challenge them to excel and a network of graduates who assist them upon graduation and throughout their professional lives. Women’s college graduates are well-prepared to attain top positions in their career fields, and higher salaries than women graduates of co-educational institutions.

Notable women’s college graduates include Jeane Kirkpatrick, first female US ambassador to the United Nations (Stephens College); Madeleine Albright, the first female sectary of state in the United States (Wellesley College) and Geraldine Ferraro, first female US vice-presidential candidate (Marymount Manhattan College).

These women are among the fewer than 4% of college-educated women who graduated from a women’s college. Although small in number, women’s college graduates are influential as indicated by the following statistics from the Women’s College Coalition:

• Of ‘Business Week’ magazine’s list of the top 50 women who are ‘rising stars in corporate America’, 30% earned a bachelor’s degree from a women’s college.
  
• Of the 1992 ‘Fortune 1000’ companies, one third of women board members are graduates of women’s colleges.
  
• Of ‘Black Enterprise Magazine’s 20 most powerful African-American women in corporate America, 20% are women’s college graduates.

Undergraduate Programs
Women are earning an increasingly larger share of bachelor’s degrees in business. In 1995, women earned 48% of undergraduate business degrees, compared to 9% in 1971.

Undergraduate business programs at women’s colleges provide opportunities for women to gain the knowledge and experience necessary to succeed in the business world. High-quality programs are grounded in a liberal arts education, allowing students to adopt a broad perspective, think critically and creatively, use new technologies, interact with people from diverse ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds and refine their leadership skills. Courses explore topics of, by and about women.

By participating in campus and community organizations, students apply the theories they learn in the class-room to real-world situations. Business internships, which place students with employers such as Andersen Consulting and Paine Webber for a limited period of time to gain experience and supplement their education, are invaluable. A college’s career service office helps students locate top internship and career opportunities as well as professional and graduate schools.

Continuing Residential & Graduate Programs
Many women’s colleges, in addition to their residential programs for women, offer continuing education and graduate programs designed for both men and women who maintain full-time jobs in addition to family and community responsibilities. Both undergraduate and graduate students have close contact with their professors, and course formats are designed to fit their busy schedules.

Flexible formats may include independent, guided study, on-line courses, on-campus classes in the evenings, on weekends and during the day, and short-format courses. Credit is often given for prior learning experienced outside the classroom, while external degree and Internet-based programs allow students to earn a degree from a quality institution without having to relocate or leave their jobs.

Women and men studying business at graduate level may enrol in an accredited Internet-based Master of Business Administration Program, with emphases on topics such as entrepreneurial business or management. Regardless of where the students live, they can complete all of their coursework, and converse with their professors and fellow students over the Internet.

In 196, women owned one-third of all business in the United States, according to the National Foundation for Women Business Owners. The foundation reports that since 1987 the number of women-owned US businesses grew by 78% to reach 7.95 million in 1996, outpacing the 47% growth rate for all US firms during this same period. In 1996, women-owned businesses generated $2.28 trillion in revenue, and employed 18.5 million people, representing 26% of the US workforce.

With a significant and growing segment of the business world being filled, managed and owned by women, a business degree from a high-quality institution becomes invaluable.

Is American Studies The Degree For Me?

What would I need to get onto the Course?

"American Studies" is not a school subject and therefore doesn’t spring quickly to mind for the majority of prospective students faced with a blank UCAS form. If, however, you are studying, or interested in, one or more of the following subjects, it could be the degree for you: Sociology, History, Politics, English Literature, Geography and Economics. For some courses, especially those with a high Popular Culture content, Media Studies could be useful too. Because of its interdisciplinarity American Studies is also attractive to students who have done Access courses, GNVQs and other, often broader based, alternatives to A-levels.

What will I study?

American Studies is an exciting option for students wishing to explore the life, culture and society of the world’s pre-eminent nation. The United States has such a large influence on politics and culture world-wide that the study of the social structure and the ideals that created it provides a valuable insight into many other communities. Most students who do American Studies at University find it to be intellectually stimulating and a lot of fun. The knowledge and skills they acquire help them to find jobs in a broad range of interesting careers, in the UK, the US and elsewhere.

Can I go to America?

Many American Studies programmes offer a period of time abroad at a university in the United States, selecting subjects to study in accordance with student interests and the requirements of their UK institution. This type of exchange is a great adventure and offers intellectual and cultural advantages, students study the United States while experiencing its culture directly. On some courses this study period is assessed and your grades in America will count towards your degree. Sometimes this visit affects the length of the degree, so at some Universities a BA (Hons) in American Studies may take 4 years rather than the usual 3.

Is it OK to take a Gap Year before I start?

The majority of American Studies Departments are happy, for their students to take a year out. Most would actively encourage students with exciting gap year plans, like travelling, to do that before embarking on their degree. It’s also possible for students to find interesting vacation jobs in the United States if they wish (e.g. Camp America).

What happens after a Degree in American Studies?

Students who undertake American Studies degrees have a wide range of career options. Some go onto further study either here or in the US, while many go into law, journalism, retailing, the civil service, and various aspects of the media. While there is no single set curriculum, American Studies encourages students to synthesise, analyse, frame arguments, apply data to complex problems, and work in groups. Employers find such skills useful and often welcome the breadth of educational experience gained by American Studies students.

Studying English in America’s Culture Capital: Southern California

Once you have made the decision to study English in America, you still must deal with the choice of which location in the United States is best for you. If you have never travelled in the United States before, it is difficult to imagine the huge variety of environmental and cultural differences which can be found in our country. However, if you wish to explore American culture in the context of one of its most vibrant and forward-looking areas, you should definitely consider coming to Southern California.

The International Study Guides invited Brian Henry of the FLS Language Centres to introduce us to the movie capital of the world. Southern California is home to the motion picture and television industry, and this means that what happens in Los Angeles and the surrounding area has a huge influence on the rest of the globe. When you visit the Los Angeles area, you are visiting a city unique for its incredible cultural diversity. These factors, combined with L.A.’s strategic location on the Pacific Rim, mean that a trip to Los Angeles is a little like a trip to the future of the rest of the world.

Climate and Surroundings

Whether you enjoy the beach, the mountains or the desert, Southern California can provide you with the ideal environment for outdoor enjoyment. The temperature in Los Angeles usually ranges from 60 -80 degrees Fahrenheit, although the famous California summers are very sunny and hot. Even on the hottest days, however, the beach is never far away. Surfing, sailing and all of the other water sports are extremely popular in Southern California and there are many public beaches where you can enjoy these activities. Don’t forget that only about two hours from the beach lie such popular ski resorts as Big Bear and Mammoth. The Southern California area is rarely humid, and the average annual rainfall is only about 14 inches. Snow never falls in the Los Angeles area proper, only in the local mountains.

While Los Angeles itself is a bustling, urban environment, it is surrounded by safe and quiet suburban areas, featuring neighbourhoods that are well-landscaped and maintained. This means that the international student can stay in a calm, secure environment, while still being close to the advantages of a major metropolitan centre. Another advantage to L.A.’s , pluralistic cultural scene, is that if you ever become homesick for your home country’s cuisine, you are sure to find a number of fine restaurants that serve the food you crave. Whether you are looking for food from Japan, Korea, Thailand, Greece, Argentina, France or the Middle East, you are sure to find plenty of restaurants in L.A. that serve your favourite specialities.

Entertainment Capital of the U.S.

One of the main reasons that students come to Los Angeles is to enjoy the world-famous attractions that have made the area a popular destination for years. Of course, Southern California is the home to Disneyland, Magic Mountain, Universal Studios and Knott’s Berry Farm - theme parks that promise to provide a full day of excitement to visitors. Visitors also have the opportunity to see such famous locales as Hollywood, with its Walk of Fame, Beverly Hills, with its extravagant mansions, Rodeo Drive, the home of designer shopping, Melrose Avenue, with its funky boutiques and cafes and Malibu Beach, the perfect place to watch a sunset. If you are searching for stars, try taking a tour of one of L.A.’s TV or movie studios, get tickets to watch a taping of a popular TV show, or hang out at some of the trendiest nightclubs anywhere.

As a visitor to Los Angeles, you will find that L.A. is not only the home to the movie and TV industry, but also a vibrant centre of activity for music, theatre, sports, and other cultural events. Music fans, depending on their taste, can enjoy the world-class concerts of the L.A. Philharmonic, the vibrant, cutting-edge rock scene of Sunset Boulevard with clubs devoted to hard rock, punk, ska and reggae, or the many comfortable restaurants and bars featuring top jazz musicians. Sports fans can see some of the most popular athletes in American play for the L.A. Dodgers, the L.A. Lakers, the Mighty Ducks or the Angels. The fine arts are also well represented in L.A., with such museum of Contemporary of Art, Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the city’s newest cultural institution, the Getty Centre for the Arts.

A Destination for Education.

Perhaps most importantly for international students, Southern California is home to some of America’s most prestigious colleges and universities. In the greater Los Angeles area, you will find such renown institutes as UCLA, UC Irvine, Cal Tech, Loyola Marymount, USC and Pepperdine. These universities are supported and complemented by a huge network of state colleges and community colleges, which offer special services and programs for international students. The impressive research facilities, huge libraries and extensive programs of these schools provide opportunities for almost any conceivable educational goal. In addition, Southern California is home to a wide variety of vocational schools which can provide services to meet virtually any student need.

If you are looking for one place which offers everything, Los Angeles is your choice. Great weather, varied environments, a vibrant culture and endless educational opportunities: they are all here in Southern California.