Overview

Lille Catholic University is France’s largest private university with over 22,500 full time students and 5,000 staff members. As a comprehensive university, it is home to 26 different faculties and schools and offers more than 140 distinct degrees in several centers of excellence to include Law, Economics & Management; Sciences and Engineering; Heath Sciences & Social Work; and Humanities.

The summer program at the University offers two terms for international students. Students can choose classes in French language, business, social and natural sciences, engineering, and humanities. Click here for more academic information.

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Location

Lille is an attractive and vibrant city located in northeastern France near the border with Belgium and the straights of Dover (English Channel). Brussels is 35 minutes by train, Paris is an hour, and London is an hour and a half.

It is located in one of France’s most densely populated regions with 2 million inhabitants. Lille itself has 210,000 people. The region is also a young city with a student population of more than 100,000 that makes the city very lively. 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, it 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 WW2, making it an interesting city to visit.

Lille Catholic University’s urban campus is located in the heart of the city, close enough to reach the city’s cultural and commercial center, the student residential district and the “citadel park”, a public green space used for sports, outdoor activities, picnics and leisure time.
 

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Academic Highlights

The summer program offers two 4-week sessions for students to choose from. The program is open to students of all academic majors and at all levels of French language proficiency. No previous language is required.

Session 1 (June)

Students choose a track of study from these options:

• Arts, Social Sciences and Business: all students take 1 French language course at their proficiency level and choose 1 elective course taught in English in the fields of art, business, culture, and economics
• Science and Engineering: students choose a project management or French language class plus 1 elective science/engineering course

Session 2 (July)

All students in session 2 of the summer program take the same Humanities and Social Sciences track. Students take a French language and intercultural communications course and choose 1 elective. Electives are offered in the fields of communications; European studies; and French conversation, culture, and tourism. Elective classes are taught in English. 

Click here to see a complete course catalog.

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Housing

Students live in university residence halls in single rooms with shared bathroom and kitchen facilities. The halls are a five minute walk from the University and also well served by public transportation. Breakfast (served in the residence halls) and lunch (at the university cafeteria) Monday through Friday is included in the program fee.

On campus, students have access to shops, pubs, and restaurants. They also have access to the university library, a computer lab open 9-6 weekdays, and a sports facility. Fitness, bodybuilding, aerobics, and sauna facilities are available for a small additional fee. An Olympic-sized swimming pool is located a 10-minute-walk away from the campus. There is a health clinic on campus that students can have access to if needed.
 

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Excursions/Orientation

Orientation

Students arrive on a Friday and are met at the airport by Lille Catholic University staff. An orientation program is offered the Saturday and Sunday after arrival with classes beginning on the Monday. A general outline of the orientation includes a welcome to the University, visit to the Rally and Fine Arts Museum, guided tour of Lille, a group welcome dinner, and varied culture visits.

Excursions

To combine class teaching and practical experience, fieldtrips are included in the program and program fee for students. The aim of these excursions is to give students an opportunity to visit places in the region of historical or cultural value that are related to courses taken.

Included fieldtrips for 2012:

• Brugge, the Belgian Venice: Situated an hour and a half drive from Lille, Brugge is a jewel of medieval architecture. Its canals, lace shops, and chocolate shops make the visit an unforgettable experience for people visiting Europe.
• Brussels, the Capital of Europe: Brussels is the capital of Belgium and located about 60 miles from Lille. See the Palace of the King of Belgium, the parliamentary buildings, and experience the bustle of a European capital. Brussels is also known as the capital of Europe as it hosts lots of European institutions (the European Parliament, the European Commission, the European Committee of Region). Brussels also has a wealth of internationally-renowned museums and monuments.
• The souvenir of World War 1 (Term 1 only): Lille is situated in the French Flanders region which is full of history and culture. During this fieldtrip, students will visit Tyne Cot WW1 Cemetery as well as the In Flanders Fields Museum in Ypres, Belgium. Students have dinner in the medieval city of Ypres and will take part in the Last Post Ceremony.

Optional Excursions (additional fee):

• Visit to the battlefields of WW1 (Term 1): To supplement the introductory visit to WW1, an optional fieldtrip is organized for students interested in visiting the battlefields of World War 1. Near Lille are located Vimy Ridge Canadian Memorial, Notre Dame de Lorette and Carrières de Wellington.
• Weekend in Paris (Term 2): Students attending Term 2 can register for a weekend in Paris. University staff will arrange transportation to and from Lille, 2 nights in a hostel in Paris including breakfast in the morning as well as free transportation by metro in Paris.
• Weekend in Amsterdam (Term 2 only): Students attending Term 2 can register for a weekend in Amsterdam. University staff will arrange transportation to and from Lille, as well as 2 nights in a hostel in Amsterdam including breakfast in the morning.

Cultural Activities

To help students make the most of their free time in France, the program also includes a comprehensive cultural program, including mandatory and optional activities, from a visit to Lille Museum of Fine Arts to group dinners in local restaurants. A sampling of past offerings include:

• Fine Arts Museum of Lille, the second largest museum in France
• A walking tour of Lille
• 3 group dinners to discover the French and regional gastronomy
• “Fête de la Musique”, the national music day on June 21st with musicians and bands all over the city
• The French National Day on July 14th
• Theater plays, concerts, and music
• Range of cultural visits that will be arranged depending on the cultural happenings in the city and the students' interests
• A program of cultural events in Lille will be available in the office every week

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Enhance Your Experience Online

Global Citizen Development

The new Global Citizen Development modules are online learning components designed to help you explore your study abroad destination and experience at a whole new level. These modules are not mandatory; however, we strongly encourage your participation as they will introduce you to the opportunities and challenges you may encounter when participating in a study abroad program, as well as expose you to cultural insights and knowledge about your host country to help make your program abroad even more successful and fulfilling. Through the 3 modules, you will refine your skills in cross-cultural observation, adaptation, and communication.
 

Course Catalog

To determine if the classes you need are available at this university, select Courses/Subjects to view the specific course options.

Tips: For advice on navigating the university’s course catalog, use the Selecting Courses link. You may also view the suggested grade and credit transfer information through the Grade Conversion.

If you have any questions about course availability, please contact studyabroad@globalinksabroad.org.
 

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Photo Slideshow

Watch a short slideshow of photos from the Lille Catholic University summer program

Ask an Alumni

Ever wonder what it's like to live in Europe? Are you having trouble finding the right university for you? Speak to students that were already there! They are truly experts on their universities and cities, and want to help you go abroad too.

Email studyabroad@globalinksabroad.org with your name, email, and your specific program of interest and we'll email you with the contact details for one of our 20,000 alumni!

Please don't hesitate to contact us as well with any questions.

Fees

Fee Includes

All fees are quoted in US Dollars unless otherwise specifically stated. Program fees include tuition and fees, housing in a single room, breakfast and lunch on weekdays, health insurance, orientation program, cultural and social activities, arrival airport pickup on designated dates, two day field trips, three group dinners, free access to public transportation in Lille, and official transcript. Airfare, visa fee (if required), additional meals and books are an additional cost.

Fee Advice

Dates

Entry Requirements

Programs in Europe Coordinator

Name: Carrie Davis Title: Manager - Programs in Europe Department: BIO: Carrie manages the study abroad admissions and enrollment services for all EuroLearn programs and is also the coordinator for Leiden University, Lille Catholic University and all programs in Spain. Carrie has been involved with international education for most of her life. In high school, she studied abroad for a year in the Netherlands and spent consecutive summers participating in intercultural programs in Europe. Carrie graduated with a B.A. in International Relations and Latin American Studies from Claremont McKenna College. While in college, Carrie spent a year studying abroad in Argentina, which gave her the opportunity to explore much of South America. Upon graduation, Carrie moved to Barcelona, Spain where she taught English for three years. Carrie also directed an intercultural program in Quito, Ecuador. Carrie holds a Master’s in International Education from the School for International Training in Vermont. She is fluent in Spanish, French, Dutch and Catalan and she has, lived, studied, and/or worked in the Netherlands, Spain, Ireland, England, Ecuador, France, Costa Rica, Mexico, Zambia and Argentina.