International Business
2009 Spring Semester - Academics

Academic Focus

The International Business program at the CEA Global Campus in Paris, in conjunction with the NOVANCIA Business School- Paris, is designed for students of all language levels interested in studying business within an international context. The program gives students the opportunity not only to continue their business studies in English but also to study in a cultural hotspot at the center of European business and politics. You will acquire business skills applicable to both the French-speaking and English-speaking worlds. In addition, you will increase your knowledge of universal business concepts and gain valuable skills in a second language, which is key to succeeding in today's global economy.

All students will enroll in a French language course appropriate to their language level, as well as 1-2 electives taught in English at the CEA Global Campus. Students will choose from a variety of subject areas such as Art History, Cultural Studies, Communication and Political Science. Students will then choose 2 business courses from the Global Campus course list such as International Business, Cross-Cultural Management and Economics of the European Union. Then, from the semester’s offerings at NOVANCIA Business School- Paris, students will choose 1 business course, which is attended by degree-bound French students, as well International students. Students have the flexibility to choose the courses that best fit their academic needs. As a complement to classroom studies, students will also travel to and analyze local companies and institutions as well as attend lectures from business professionals.

All language courses and electives at the CEA Global Campus meet for a total of 45 contact hours and are generally worth 3 credits in the U.S. semester system. For the Fall 2012 semester, the Business courses at NOVANCIA will meet for 15 contact hours and are generally worth 1 credit. If students enroll in a total of 6 classes, they can earn up to 16 credits in the U.S. semester system. However, it is up to the discretion of the student’s home institution to determine how much credit will be awarded.

Program Goals

Through formal and informal learning connected to the host city, people and culture; and by applying appropriate cognitive, affective, behavioral, ethical and intercultural tools; students will develop and articulate:

• discipline-based knowledge in international business;
• analytic insight into the roles played in international business by the host region, economy, people and city, all considered within the larger context of globalization and;
• French language and/or intercultural communication skills as they apply to effective business analysis and performance.

Global Career Development Certificate

The optional certificate program consists of a 1 credit Career Development Seminar and Externship where students are paired with a professional career mentor who works in an industry aligned with the student’s major. The components of the certificate are designed to engage students in learning about career development and global competence, with an emphasis upon reflection on learning “in action” while participating in study abroad. Students learn first-hand what it means to be globally competent through reflection upon the interaction between culture and communication and the global workplace. If accepted, a Global Career Development Certificate program fee of $250 applies which provides

• Dedicated time with a career mentor
• Coaching and feedback on career preparation including assistance developing a resume and cover letter to effectively showcase your study abroad experience
• Connection with peers with similar career interests
• Opportunities to build an international network, practice networking skills, and enhance global competency to better compete for jobs/graduate school entry
• Guidance on how to meaningfully articulate your study abroad experience

Early Start

This 2-week early-start French-language program will linguistically and culturally prime you for your forthcoming semester or year in France. It is a suitable option for either “true beginners” or for students who have taken at least three semesters of university-level French. Students particularly well-suited for this early-start program are those who have little to no prior study abroad and/or travel experience and those who wish to get a head start on adapting to the French language, lifestyle and culture. Students who have had multiple semesters, or even years of French-language study will find the early start program useful in preparing for the realities of living in France. Regardless of your level of French language, you will complete the session feeling more comfortable about living, studying, and communicating in French.

You will enroll in one French language course: Beginning French I or Intermediate French Conversation. Upon completion of one of these courses you will be awarded three hours of university credit through CEA’s academic partner and university of record: the University of New Haven.

You will begin your session with airport reception and transfer to assigned housing in shared apartments followed by a group orientation. Classes will take place Monday through Thursday for five hours per day and will engage in cultural immersion activities crafted to maximize your exposure to both the French language and to intercultural competence techniques. At the conclusion of the Early Start program students will have the option to change housing if desired. As a result, you should anticipate moving from the shared apartment to your semester housing, should your housing assignment differ. You will also be required to attend segments of the semester student orientation to meet your new peers and receive additional program information.

Schedule Summary

Semester classes at the GlobalCampus meet one to three times per week for a total of 3 contact hours. Classes are typically held Monday through Thursday although study trips and other required fieldwork may occur on Fridays. Classes are offered at various times throughout the day. Class timetables will be released at approximately the same time as the program closure date, and your final course schedule will be posted to your MyCEA Account approximately two weeks before the program start date.

For business courses at NOVANCIA, students should expect each course to meet formally once a week for a three-hour session. Classes are held Monday through Friday on the NOVANCIA campus in Montparnasse. Students with a NOVANCIA course and a CEA Global Campus course scheduled on the same day will have adequate time to take the metro from one campus to the next. As NOVANCIA courses meet for 15 hours during the semester, it can happen that courses will not last the duration of the semester, but rather span a several week period within the semester.

Course Registration

You must register for courses prior to departure for Paris. A course preference form will be posted to your MyCEA Account when course timetables are released. Classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis so it is in your best interest to submit your course preference form as soon as possible. Course preferences for electives are considered final when submitted to CEA. To aid in the registration process, it is in your best interest to have courses, including alternates, approved by your academic advisor prior to submitting your course preference form.

You will be asked, on the Course Selection form, to indicate the level of French in which you expect to enroll for the term. In order to validate your request for the requested level of French, you will complete an online placement test and will receive a preliminary language level assignment when your course schedule is released. However, your final language level may be adjusted once onsite.

Students enrolling in the NOVANCIA Business School will need to select their course or courses before a designated date, usually before the deadline for enrolling into CEA Global Campus courses. CEA will post a NOVANCIA course registration form to your MyCEA Account and inform you of the course selection process. CEA will do its best to enroll students in their preferred course, but final placement in a NOVANCIA course will ultimately depend on scheduling and availability.