[187]MTSU’S UNIVERSITÉ D’ÉTÉ OFFERS COURSE CREDIT FOR TRAVEL

MTSU’S UNIVERSITÉ D’ÉTÉ OFFERS COURSE CREDIT FOR TRAVEL
Students Can Immerse Themselves in French Culture for a Month

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 4, 2008
EDITORIAL CONTACT: Dr. Nancy Goldberg, 615-898-2281

(MURFREESBORO)—Sitting in a classroom taking notes every day can get pretty dull. Traveling is a way to break the monotonous school routine, but many students can’t justify the price tag for the photos. But what if you could travel and earn school credit?
For French students, the opportunity is as good as gold—thanks to Dr. Nancy Goldberg, that is. Goldberg, MTSU French professor and founder of the Université d’Été, believes that studying abroad is one of the best ways to enhance one’s knowledge of other languages and cultures.
The 2009 Université d’Été takes students to western France to experience authentic French culture. Students can earn six credits (FREN 3910 or FREN 2910) at MTSU while living in Cherbourg, France, from May 10 to June 8, 2009. Language classes are taught each morning, then the course takes to the streets. Most afternoons are spent experiencing French culture firsthand by touring museums, tasting cuisine and even traveling to Paris. Participating students will spend the month with a host family to be enveloped in the French lifestyle.
Established in 2005, the Université d’Été is “part of a continuing relationship with the Institut Universitaire de Technologie in Cherbourg,” says Goldberg.
According to past student evaluations, Université d’Été is an invaluable experience.
“I love this trip, and I’m so very sad that it is ending. My time in France has opened my eyes to the world,” said one student.
“My exchange was a truly invaluable experience which I can never forget,” added Joe Duke, a senior French major who participated in the summer 2008 session. “It helped me to understand and experience firsthand the language and culture in a way that could never be taught in a classroom. In addition, I left with lasting friendships, both at home and abroad.”
Goldberg has worked in the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures at MTSU for 20 years, and she takes pride in conducting the Université d’Été. She facilitates every aspect of the program from advertisements and applications to teaching and touring. She knows the importance of studying a foreign language in its native country.
“Language is a vehicle of culture, so students also learn what is important to the people in that country and how they see the world,” Goldberg says. “Students see what is different, but also what is similar to their own experience, and in so doing, they understand other people’s choices and ways of life.”


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FRENCH SUMMER UNIVERSITY
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Students are often hesitant to study abroad when they see the price tag, but the cost of studying a month in Cherbourg is $1,800, which includes all lodging, most morning meals, guided tours, outdoor excursions, airfare to Paris and fees at the IUT-Cherbourg. Students are responsible for the cost of MTSU tuition for six credit hours and for the round-trip airfare to France.
Those who have completed two semesters of French with a grade of C- or better and are in good academic standing with the university are eligible to apply.
Interested students may find applications in the Study Abroad Office in Peck Hall or through the Université d’Été Web site at www.forlang.mtsu.edu/goldberg/cherbourg. But don’t wait, because the application and deposit of $200 are due by Feb. 1, 2009.
For more information, contact Goldberg at 615-898-2281 or goldberg@mtsu.edu and include your name, major, GPA, telephone number, e-mail and a list of your French courses and grades.

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IN BRIEF: Dr. Nancy Goldberg, MTSU French professor and founder of the Université d’Été, believes that studying abroad is one of the best ways to enhance one’s knowledge of other languages and cultures. The 2009 Université d’Été takes students to western France to experience authentic French culture. Students can earn six credits (FREN 3910 or FREN 2910) at MTSU while living in Cherbourg, France, from May 10 to June 8, 2009. Cost is $1,800, which includes all lodging, most morning meals, guided tours, outdoor excursions, airfare to Paris and fees at the IUT-Cherbourg; students are responsible for the cost of MTSU tuition for six credit hours and for the round-trip airfare to France. Interested students may find applications in the Study Abroad Office in Peck Hall or through the Université d’Été Web site at www.forlang.mtsu.edu/goldberg/cherbourg. The application and deposit of $200 are due by Feb. 1, 2009. For more information, contact Goldberg at 615-898-2281 or goldberg@mtsu.edu and include your name, major, GPA, telephone number, e-mail and a list of your French courses and grades.


For MTSU news and information, visit www.mtsunews.com.


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ATTENTION, MEDIA: This release was written by Stacy Williams, a senior majoring in journalism at MTSU. If you use the release in its entirety, we ask that you give Stacy a byline.

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