Strasbourg, France

Note:  DO NOT make international travel plans the summer before your semester or year in France. See "Visa Process" below for more details.

Summary: Located in the Alsace region of eastern France, Strasbourg is considered a capital of Europe! Its proximity to Germany is reflected in the Germanic architecture that can be seen throughout the majority Francophone city and in the Alsatian cuisine. From the famous Notre Dame Cathedral to the vibrant medieval streets in La Petite France, Strasbourg has something for everyone. Don’t forget to explore the famous Christmas market in December! Strasbourg-bound Holy Cross students start their semester or year away with a 4-week language intensive program in Tours France during the month of August. Students then travel to Strasbourg, where they have the unique opportunity to take classes alongside French students in the highly prestigious political science school, Sciences Po. Students can also avail of the course offerings within the larger University of Strasbourg (Unistra) system. Be advised Strasbourg is offered as a Fall semester program or Academic Year program only. There is no Spring semester option. 
 

Check out the Strasbourg Compass, your comprehensive guide to all things study abroad in Strasbourg! Continue reading below for a snapshot:

Name: Université de Strasbourg
Location: Strasbourg, France
University size: 48,000 undergraduate and graduate students (20% international)
University founded: 1538/1621
 
Terms available: academic year; fall semester (no spring semester option)
Dates: early August to late May (academic year); early August to mid-January (fall semester) Fall semester participants MUST be present in Strasbourg for exams, which might occur in January. Start and end dates noted are tentative and subject to change.
Academic Calendar*: http://www.unistra.fr/index.php?id=20406 
*Semester dates are not typically released in France until just a few weeks before the start of each term. Exam dates are not typically published until approximately halfway through any given term, therefore you must not make any plans to leave France early. Flexibility is paramount!
Pre-university program: There is a required pre-university language intensive program at Institut de Touraine (Tours), which generally occurs during the 4 weeks before the start of the semester in Strasbourg. The Institut de Touraine will also be attended by Holy Cross students heading to Dijon! Approximate dates are July 31st-August 31st. These dates are tentative and subject to change. http://www.institutdetouraine.com/en 
ICIP required: Yes for academic-year students
Registration info: The required Institut de Touraine pre-university language program does not count towards the year’s/semester’s course load. The semester/academic year is structured differently depending on whether you have taken up to French 202 or 301:
 
Fall Semester abroad for students who have only completed up to French 202 at HC: 
Credits 1&2*: 
1: 10 hours of language classes at CIEL (International French Language School) taught in French
2: One course on current events in France taught at Science Po (Political Science School at University of Strasbourg) or at University of Strasbourg taught in French
*these classes combined equal 2 Holy Cross Credits
Credit 3: Content Course in Sciences Po (Political Science School at University of Strasbourg) taught in French
Credit 4: Content course at University of Strasbourg (likely 2nd French credit for majors & minors) taught in French

Fall semester abroad for students who have completed at least French 301 at HC: 
Credit 1*: 
1/2: 5 hours of language classes at CIEL (International French Language School) taught in French
1/2: One course on current events in France taught at Science Po (Political Science School at University of Strasbourg) or at University of Strasbourg taught in French
*these classes combined equal 1 Holy Cross Credit
Credit 2: Content course in Sciences Po (Political Science School at University of Strasbourg) taught in French
Credit 3: Content course in Sciences Po (Political Science School at University of Strasbourg) taught in French
Credit 4: Content course in University of Strasbourg (likely 2nd French credit for French majors/minors) taught in French
         
Spring Semester (regardless of whether you completed 202 or 301 before departing Holy Cross):
Credit 1*: 
1/2: 5 hours of language classes at CIEL (International French Language School) taught in French
1/2: One course on current events in France taught at Science-Po (Political Science School at University of Strasbourg) or at University of Strasbourg taught in French
*these classes combined equal 1 Holy Cross Credit
Credit 2: Content course in Sciences Po (Political Science School at University of Strasbourg) taught in French
Credit 3: Content course in Sciences Po (Political Science School at University of Strasbourg) taught in French
Credit 4: Course in University of Strasbourg (likely 2nd French credit for French majors/minors) taught in French
 
Note for French Majors: Majors who spend two consecutive semesters in a French-speaking country may apply up to four approved Study Abroad FREN elective courses toward the minimum ten courses required for the major, and up to two FREN elective courses if they spend one semester abroad. Approved courses taken abroad must focus on a French or Francophone topic, such as French linguistics, French or Francophone literature, film, art, civilization, culture, politics or history. Courses taken abroad will be transferred (bearing no 300 or 400 level designation) subject to the French coordinator’s approval. Majors who study abroad must take at least six courses at Holy Cross.

Note for French Minors: Minors who spend two consecutive semesters in a French-speaking country may apply up to three approved Study Abroad FREN elective courses toward the minimum six courses required for the major, and up to two FREN elective courses if they spend one semester abroad. Approved courses must focus on a French or Francophone topic, such as French linguistics, French or Francophone literature, film, art, civilization, culture, politics or history. Courses taken abroad will be transferred (bearing no 300 or 400 level designation) subject to the French coordinator’s approval. Minors who study abroad must take at least three courses at Holy Cross.

Course Catalog*: https://www.sciencespo-strasbourg.fr/en/international/venir-etudier-a-sciences-po-strasbourg/course-offerings and https://en.unistra.fr/study/find-a-course
*Note: Different departments may present their course catalogs differently. Some have a list of available courses, some provide an overview of the required courses for a particular major (French students are much more restricted within their majors). These catalogs are a general guide. You will have assistance selecting classes on site.
Courses previously taken by Holy Cross students: https://sa.holycross.edu/
On left-side menu, click on Courses Taken Abroad for Holy Cross Credit then select program. Please be aware this list is meant to give you an idea of the types of courses available to you at University of Strasbourg based on what past students have taken. This is NOT a list of classes that are guaranteed to be available to you and you are not limited to the classes on this list. Class offerings change each semester and you can certainly register for classes that you do not see on this list.
Grade equivalency sheet: Available on the Holy Cross Registrar’s website: http://www.holycross.edu/support-and-resources/office-registrar/study-abroad-equivalencies

University website: http://www.unistra.fr/index.php?id=accueil and https://www.sciencespo-strasbourg.fr/en/
Study Abroad website: https://www.sciencespo-strasbourg.fr/en/international/venir-etudier-a-sciences-po-strasbourg/coming-to-study-at-sciences-po
Student life/campus activities: https://svu.unistra.fr/

Visa fees:  France requires students to obtain a student visa before landing in France. You should plan to spend approximately $236–$386* (Campus France fee: $180 regular, $330 expedited; $56 visa fee)
*these amounts are subject to change
Visa Process: The Office of Study Abroad will work with you to obtain your French student visa starting approximately 100 days before your departure. The process culminates with each student attending an appoint at the Visa Processing Center in Boston, and they will take anywhere from 6-12 weeks to process your visa. During this time, you CANNOT LEAVE THE UNITED STATES since you will not have your passport. DO NOT make international travel plans the summer before your semester or year in France. 
Housing: Students live with host families in both Tours (Institut de Touraine pre-university language program) and Strasbourg

All information listed above is subject to change.

For more information, please contact:
Susan McCrory - Assistant Director
Email: smccrory@holycross.edu
Phone: 508-793-2755
Office:  Smith 217