Community College in France

Community College in France initiative aims at building connections between U.S. Community Colleges and French higher education institutions and increase diversity and inclusion in study abroad.
As part of this initiative, the Embassy of France offers community college students with a strong interest in cultural exchange, the opportunity to study abroad and experience life in France.

Community College in France is made possible thanks to the support of the L’Oréal Fund for Women and the Albert & Elaine Borchard Foundation.

Community College in France
– Students

Studying abroad should be within the grasp of every student! The Community College in France initiative helps break down barriers that are keeping community college students from studying abroad and gives them the opportunity to broaden their horizons, by participating in short-term summer programs, or enrolling in a degree-granting program.

The Bootcamps:

The Bootcamps offer community college students the opportunity to study in France during a two-week summer program. The Bootcamps are organized and hosted by French higher education institutions, with the support of the FACE Foundation, the Embassy of France in the U.S. [and the Fondation L’Oréal.]

What to expect:
• High-quality academic programs from top French institutions
• A multi-disciplinary and project-based learning experience on sustainable development and ecology
• Logistic and administrative support
• An all-inclusive package
• An enriching personal experience and memories that will stay with you for the rest of your life!

The programs for summer 2023 will focus on local initiatives that contribute to mitigating the effects of climate change. Students will explore both the history and contemporary context of ecological challenges from various perspectives (technology, economy, history and more).
Learn more on the 2023 programs and How to apply.

Post-Associate Degree

Make a bold choice for your future! With this unique degree-granting program, Community College students are able to transfer to a French top-quality university to either:
• Pursue an engineering master’s degree from CESI – Ecole d’Ingénieurs or from one of the top 50 engineering schools of the n+i network in France.
• Obtain an International bachelor’s in management from Rennes School of Business.

By choosing to study in France, students will have an enriching personal experience, gain proficiency in French and earn an internationally recognized degree. More information.

Questions about studying in France?
You will find all the key resources on the Campus France website.

Community College in France
– Faculty and Administrators

Community college professionals play a key role in the success of the Community College in France initiative and the promotion of mutual understanding. Here are some ways you can further contribute to our objectives and help make international exchange more accessible for your students.

Participate in the Bootcamps

The Bootcamps offers high-quality experiential learning opportunities tailored to the needs of community college students.

This program is also open for community college professionals! Faculty, administrators, international education professionals are all eligible to apply.

Participating in this program gives you the opportunity to familiarize yourself with the French higher education system, connect with French counterparts and gain innovative ideas to implement upon your return.

Please be aware that Community College in France is primarily an opportunity for students. Administrators are accepted on a limited, space-available basis. Priority for these limited spots is given to those who will be accompanying their own students on the program.

Support Your Students

• Growing International Podcast: “The French Embassy: study abroad opportunities and campus internationalization assistance”
• Learn more about the impact of Study Abroad.

Nomination:
Students who apply to the Bootcamps are required to secure a nomination from their community college. The nomination is to confirm that the student is indeed enrolled in a community college.
A community college professional should send a brief email with the name of the applicant they wish to nominate to the Program Officer in charge of the program.

Funding:
The programs are designed to be as affordable as possible. However, we strongly encourage students to seek additional scholarships and funding to make this experience as cost neutral as possible. Please inform your students of any funding that might be available at your community college.

Build Partnerships with French Institutions

The FACE Foundation and the French Embassy promote and support collaboration between U.S. community colleges and French higher education institutions.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you would like to connect with a French institution. We would be more than happy to guide you in building new partnerships and creating new study-abroad programs.

We are proud of our collaborations with the following schools and organizations:
• Los Angeles Community College district established a Bootcamp program.
• Kirkwood Community College piloted a virtual exchange program with France.
• Connecticut State Colleges and Universities work with CLICK in France.

Find a Partner:
The French Embassy, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, and the Embassy of the United States of America in France, have joined forces to create an online tool that facilitates finding a partner for student mobility and other types of exchanges in France and in the U.S.
Complete the online survey to create an institutional profile.

Apply for Funding:
We highly encourage community colleges to submit a proposal for funding to the Transatlantic Mobility Program which aims at increasing student mobility by supporting U.S. and French Higher Education Institutions in expanding their capacity to grow and diversify study-abroad opportunities.
With this grant, we want to help you create new study abroad programs that will give your students and faculty the opportunity to participate in exchange programs with France.

Contact

Benoît Labat
Program Officer
Higher Education & French Language Attaché
benoit.labat@frenchculture.org