Introduction
The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Study Abroad Center offers undergraduate students the opportunity to study for the summer in Lille, France. On-site, the program is coordinated by the European Summer Program at Université Catholique de Lille (Catholic University of Lille).
Application deadline: Feb. 17
Schedule an appointment with a Study Abroad Adviser on STAR Balance.
Informational meetings: January-February 2024
2024 program dates
- ESP1: May 22-June 20
- ESP2: June 26-July 24
This program is open to all majors, but is particularly ideal for students who are pursuing degrees, minors, and/or certificates in the following fields of study:
- Liberal Arts
- Business
- Communication
- Engineering and Science
- Health
- Pre-law
- French language and culture
Host Institution
The Study Abroad Program is offered in partnership with the Catholic University of Lille (Université Catholique de Lille). The Catholic University of Lille was founded in 1875 with the active support of the Catholic Church and a group of Christian businessmen. Initially, it began with the five Colleges of Law, Arts, Science, Medicine, and Theology. Engineering and Paramedical Schools were added later.
The Catholic University of Lille combines in one visible, mutually supportive, interdisciplinary structure, six facultés (colleges) 20 écoles (schools), institutes, 33 research teams, a hospital complex with 700 beds and a child guidance center. France’s largest private university, the university is a multidisciplinary institution with 20,307 full-time students, of which 1,500 come from 92 countries.
Curriculum
The program is intensive, with students in class five days a week, from 9:00 to 4:00. Each class is worth three UHM credits. Students will select one morning course and one afternoon course, enrolling in six credits total. In addition, Intercultural Communication is a mandatory course for all students.
The UHM Study Abroad Center appoints a designated UHM Resident Director when appropriate, who oversees students’ academic progress and mentors all participants. All students must participate in experiential learning activities led by the Resident Director, in addition to taking classes at the host institution.
COURSE OFFERINGS (from 2023)
Morning (9:00-12:00): select one
| course title | ESP1 | ESP2 | UHM equivalency (3 cr. each) |
| French Language and Culture | × | × | beginning, intermediate or advanced FR |
| Project Management for Everyone | × | × | CEE 472 (pre: CEE 375) or ITM 321 (pre: BUS 310 and 311) |
| Understanding Challenges of Climate Change | × | OCN 102 (DB) |
Afternoon (1:00-4:00): select one
FACULTY RESIDENT DIRECTOR
The UHM Study Abroad Center appoints a designated UHM Resident Director when appropriate. The Resident Director oversees students’ academic progress, mentors and/or tutors all participants. All students must participate in experiential learning activities led by the Resident Director, in addition to taking classes at the host institution.
Summer 2024: TBA
Courses taken at Catholic University of Lille will appear on UHM transcripts as UHM courses.
Current as of Aug. 28, 2023.
Location
Located in northern France, Lille is an attractive and vibrant city. Located in one of France’s most densely populated regions, Lille has 210,000 inhabitants. Lille is also a young city with a student population of more than 100,000. It is recognized as one of France’s most dynamic towns with a wide variety of cultural and sporting activities (fine museums, concert halls, theaters). Famous throughout France and Europe for its warm and friendly atmosphere, Lille is alive with pubs, clubs, and restaurants. Its location “at the crossroads of Europe” has made Lille a strategic place in the past but in the recent days as well. Its history is full of important events, from the different invasions to its role in WWII, which makes it an interesting city to visit. Wandering along its cobbled streets, you will walk past wonderful buildings and old monuments that will tell you about its history. Lille is situated close to several European capitals: Paris, London, Brussels, Luxembourg, and Amsterdam. Highly developed rail systems such as the Eurostar and TGV (high-speed train) enable convenient travel to other European destinations.
Housing
Students will live in single university dorm rooms that are equipped with a single bed, sink, cupboard, desk, and chair. The accommodation service provides a pillow, a set of bed sheets and a blanket per room. There are shared showers on each floor. Each residence hall has a fully-equipped kitchen (microwave, stove, fridge), TV room, and laundry room with washing machine and dryer. Breakfast is served in the dormitory dining room weekday mornings and lunch is served at one of the University cafeterias. Students are responsible for some dinners and all weekend meals.
Excursions
To combine class teaching and practical experience, field trips are included in the European Summer Program. Their aim is to give the students an opportunity to visit places in the Euro-region that are worth a visit in terms of history or culture and that are related to the course taken.
Possible visits may include:
- Brussels: the Capital of Europe
Brussels is the capital of Belgium, 100 km from Lille. It is a city where you can enjoy seeing the Palace of the King of Belgium, the parliamentary buildings, and experience the bustle of a European capital. Brussels is also the capital of Europe as it hosts lots of European institutions (the European Parliament, the European Commission, the European Committee of Regions…). Brussels also has a wealth of museums and monuments that have made the world reputation of the city. - Bruges: a jewel of Belgian Flanders
Across the border into Belgium and less than an hour from Lille, Bruges is a jewel of Flemish art and architecture, commonly known as the “Belgian Venice”. Indeed, this city contains a large number of picturesque canals which are perfect for a boat ride. The architecture and the museums of this quaint, lovely city simply add to the reasons why it is a place well-worth visiting.
Field trips take place on weekday afternoons, except for Brussels (whole day). Other optional weekend (Paris, Normandy, Amsterdam) and one-day trips (World War I Sites, Amiens, Nausicaà aquarium) are available at an extra cost; subject to space availability.
Photos
Program cost (2023)
Session 1 or 2: $5,040
Cost includes Catholic University of Lille tuition, dormitory accommodation, all meals, excursions, health insurance and UHM Study Abroad and other incidental fees.
Roundtrip airfare between Honolulu and Paris, and transportation between Paris airport and Lille are not included; students have the option of taking flights and train arranged by Third Eye Travel or making their own travel arrangements.
FINANCIAL AID
FOR UHM STUDENTS ONLY: In order to receive financial aid, please ensure that either: a) you are receiving financial aid during the preceding semester, or b) that you complete the Financial Aid application during the current semester. www.hawaii.edu/fas
NON-UHM STUDENTS (those attending other colleges and universities during the regular school year) must apply for financial aid at their home institutions.
SCHOLARSHIP
See the Money Matters & Student Resources page for a list of possible scholarships.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Schengen visa-free
Admission Requirements
Students are eligible to study abroad as early as the second semester of their Freshman year or later.
The program is designed primarily for undergraduate science and engineering students. The minimum requirement is a cumulative GPA of 3.0. However, students with a lower GPA may be considered in exceptional cases. Non-native English-speaking students must have taken the TOEFL exam within the last two years and earned a composite score of 600+ or have passed the UHM ELI placement exam.
Admission to the program is selective. All applicants for the program will be judged on their academic performance, reasons for wishing to attend the program, flexibility, and sensitivity to other cultures, and ability to adjust to a new cultural setting.
Immediately upon acceptance to the program, students are required to pay a $500.00 non-refundable initial payment to ensure a place in the program. The initial payment will be applied toward the cost of the program.
Please note that students accepted to the program are required to attend three mandatory pre-departure class sessions totaling 12 hours. Failure to attend will result in students being withdrawn from the program.
Application
A completed Study Abroad Center application and two academic references must be received by the Study Abroad Center to receive consideration.
Students from outside the UH System must also submit official transcripts from every college attended.
The Study Abroad Center is closed on weekends, and Federal and State holidays.