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International students at Georgia Tech represent 104 different countries


Grenoble Graduate Exchange Program

ESC GRENOBLE - ECOLE SUPERIOR DE COMMERCE
Program Level: Graduate
Number of Weeks/Term: 16


BACKGROUND
Georgia Tech (GT) has developed a number of overseas programs around the globe. These programs provide students with the opportunity to complete a portion of their academic programs in top-notch foreign universities that are partnered with GT. As a result of immersion in a foreign academic and cultural environment, students have the maximum opportunity to learn to operate effectively in an atmosphere that is wholly different from that of GT and the U.S.

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LOCATION INFORMATION
France
A member of the European Union and the largest country in Western Europe, one of France's most notable characteristics is its diversity. You can go skiing one day, then hop on a train and go sunbathing the next. Your greatest dilemma may be deciding whether you should ski in the Alps or the Pyrenees or swim in the Mediterranean Sea, the English Channel or the Atlantic Ocean.

Grenoble
With a thriving economy and an exceptional quality of life, Grenoble has everything going for it. Surrounded by the majestic peaks of the Alps, residents of Grenoble work hard and play hard. The city of Grenoble has made great efforts to preserve this unique quality of life, and invests constantly in new amenities and infrastructure in order to keep responding to the needs of its citizens. Over the years it has increased the public transport network, has renovated and built new housing, increased the social services available to the community, and fostered an intense cultural scene. Add to this heady mixture 56,000 university students, and you have a bustling city in the heart of the Alps.

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PROGRAM DATES
Fall Term: September - Mid-December
Spring Term: Mid-January - Early June

YEAR PROGRAM STARTED:
1996

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HOST INSTITUTION ACADEMIC INFORMATION
At the heart of Europole, Grenoble's international business center, the Grenoble Graduate School of Business' high-tech building is the model for a leading business. Close to the city and the business world in space and in spirit, the school offers a facility that is spacious, intelligent, and vibrant. The school's 23,000 square metres are linked by 50km of fibre optical cables, which tie together an advanced technological infrastructure. In this environment, more than 2,600 students, of all nationalities and of all backgrounds, live out their daily lives: from classrooms and learning theaters, to the language labs, to the e-Center, the Info-Tec, the student clubs... without forgetting a necessary stop at the K'fet, the student-run café, for a much needed shot of caffeine, a bite to eat, and a chance to chat with friends.

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ACADEMIC DISCIPLINES

Subject Areas Available:

  • Accounting
  • Economics
  • French
  • Management

Language Information
The graduate exchange program is taught entirely in English, but gives the participating foreign students the opportunity to learn French.

Course Information
For detailed course information: click here

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CREDIT TRANSFER INFORMATION
Credit for courses taken as part of GT exchange programs is added as transfer credit on the GT transcript. Since it is important to know which kind of credit students will earn abroad as soon as possible, GT requires that courses be pre-approved for transfer. With a Foreign Credit Approval Form (available from OIE) in hand, and the credit transfer system information (listed below), students should submit course descriptions to the appropriate academic unit to request their approval. If taking Math classes, for example, then the student should go to the GT School of Mathematics to get permission for the courses to transfer to GT. If approved, the GT School of Mathematics signs the Foreign Credit Approval Form showing how the courses will transfer so that students will know which type of credit they should expect to receive.

For detailed credit transfer instructions click here

For the Foreign Credit Approval Form click here

CREDIT TRANSFER SYSTEM
Grenoble uses the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS):
1.4 ECTS credits = 1 GT credit

GRADING SYSTEM
Grenoble uses the ECTS grading system listed below:
Grenoble Grade = US Grade
A, B = A
C = B
D = C
E = D
FX, F = F

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ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Eligible students must meet the following criteria:

  • Georgia Tech degree-seeking MBA graduate student
  • all applicants should have a solid background in business
  • 3.0 GPA or higher
  • graduates must complete at least one semester of graduate-level study prior to participation
  • at least 18 years of age by the program's departure date
  • enroll in 12 or more credit hours at the host institution and earn a C or higher for each course
  • international students (non-US citizens) may have additional requirements set by the overseas university
  • all students must have completed all the prerequisites for any courses they wish to take

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    PROGRAM COSTS
    Keep in mind that you are responsible for the costs of books, food, living expenses, and travel money, as well as pre-departure costs like your passport and visa. In general, Grenoble is more expensive than most areas of the United States, so you will want to devise and use a budget.

    Students in France are able to get lots of discounts on things like movie tickets, train tickets, and museum entrance fees. Students also benefit from subsidies provided by the French government for school dorms and cafeterias. For example, a meal at the school's cafeteria averages approximately $4. It's unheard of to eat anywhere else, even McDonald's, so inexpensively.

    The currency in France is the Euro (EUR). Exchange rates fluctuate, so check the newspaper or click here for the most current rates.

    DON"T FORGET TO APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS!! See the OIE web site for more info: click here

    Following are cost estimates for one semester at ESC Grenoble that may help you prepare for your term(s) abroad. All costs are in USD. You can get additional cost of living information from the following website: click here

    In State Tuition $4,469
    Out of State Tuition $4,719
    GT Mandatory Fees $818
    Books and Supplies $365
    Administrative and/or Application fees $0
    Miscellaneous (includes passport/visa fees, required field trips, local transportation and incidentals) $500
    Roundtrip Airfare $1,500
    Room and Board $4,200
    Additional Language Instruction $0
    Mandatory Insurance $150
    Total $12,002 (in state)
    $12,252 (out of state)

    *Out-of-state students pay in state tuition, plus $250 for this exchange program.

    *Costs in the preceding chart are estimates based on tuition rates posted by the GT Bursar for "MBA students." Please check the GT Bursar's web site click here to confirm actual tuition rates based on degree, term, or level of study. Actual costs may be higher or lower than those listed above, depending on the exchange rate and personal spending habits/needs.

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    HOUSING AND MEALS
    Housing

  • private student residence
  • off-campus apartments/rooms for rent
  • hostels

    Grenoble does not have on-campus housing. They will, however, send you information on housing and help you locate off campus housing. There are many hostels where you can stay while you search for an apartment. It is common for 3-4 exchange students to share an apartment. For more information about housing, click here

    Meals
  • NO meal plan

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    INSURANCE
    Students participating in this program will be assessed $150 per semester for mandatory insurance coverage. You will be covered by T.W. Lord and Associates. For detailed information about this insurance plan, click here. This cost is included in the above cost estimates for the program.

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    EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
    Student associations at Grenoble Ecole de Management are particularly lively and full of plans and projects. They propose a wide variety of activities, including everything from wine-tasting and sailing to the graduation ball and student jobs. To read more about student organizations click here

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    CLIMATE
    The Grenoble metropolitan area, the largest in the Rhône-Alpes region, lies in a strategic location in the natural plain of the Rhone Valley. The Rhone corridor has a continental climate marked by hot summers and hard winters. The mountain ranges are subject to strong climactic variations and much cooler temperatures than lower altitudes. The summer months extend from June to August with temperatures ranging from 60ºF to 82ºF. During the winter in the metropolitan area of Lyon the temperatures range from 30ºF to 50ºF with some days of snow.

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    VISA AND PASSPORT INFORMATION
    Complete information about how to apply for or renew a U.S. passport is available from the GT Office of International Education or online: click here

    U.S. citizens participating in this program will need a valid passport. U.S. citizens participating in this program must apply for a visa. US citizens should begin the visa process by registering through the French Consulate's CampusFrance web site: click here

    Citizens of other countries should contact the nearest French Consulate to ask whether it will be necessary to obtain a student visa.

    For information and instructions on how to obtain a student visa for France, visit the Consulate General of France's web site: click here.

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    YOUR NEXT STEPS
    To begin the process of participating in this exchange, please do the following:

  • Attend an exchange program information session. For dates visit: click here. If you are unable to attend, please make an appointment with the OIE staff member listed below.
  • Download the OIE Exchange and Study/Work Abroad Application instructions at click here and submit the completed application by the appropriate deadline.
  • Deadlines: Fall/academic year/summer applications are generally due in mid-February. Spring applications are generally due in early to mid-September. Specifics are listed in the application packet.
  • Visit the host institution's course information link located under "academic disciplines". Print course descriptions of all the courses of interest that you believe will fit into your GT academic plan.
  • Make an appointment with your Academic Advisor to review course options, bring course descriptions to help.
  • If you need to get or renew a passport, you should start that process now! Passport information is online: click here.
  • For financial aid information click here
  • For scholarship information click here

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    EXPERIENCES OF FORMER STUDENTS
    click here

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    FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
    Ms. Becky Gunter, Semester Study Abroad Advisor
    GT Office of International Education
    631 Cherry Street
    Savant Building, Suite 211
    Atlanta, GA 30332-0284
    Phone: (404)894-7475 Fax: (404)894-9682
    E-mail: becky.gunter@oie.gatech.edu
    OIE web site: click here



    Host/Program Web Site: click here

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    Hidden Fields:
    Grenoble
    France
    Europe
    Semester
    16
    12
    English
    For more info, contact OIE.
    Can I go abroad while pursuing a GT degree?
    GT students have many opportunities to participate in semester/exchange and study abroad programs. In a semester program, you actually take classes with the host university’s students and faculty. (In some cases, this means that you must have excellent knowledge of the local language to participate). Semester program participants usually pay normal GT tuition and fees for each term abroad. Credits can be pre-approved to transfer back to GT so that you do not get behind in your studies. The application deadline for fall and academic year programs is in early February; for spring programs the deadline is in September/October.

    In a study abroad program, the courses are taught by GT faculty and you register for regular GT courses. Residents pay normal matriculation fees, but do not pay ancillary fees (athletic, health, etc.). Non-residents only pay resident matriculation plus $250 ($1500 for GTL Summer/$2000 for GTL Spring/Fall) . This is a savings of over $6,000 for out-of-state students who participate in GT study abroad programs as full-time students! Deadlines for summer study abroad programs vary from early January to mid-February.

    In most cases, if you are eligible for financial aid or scholarships, you can apply your grants, scholarships, and/or loans toward the expenses associated with participating in all GT programs.
    GT’s International Plan: More than just study abroad
    Your major is participating in this new initiative!
    The International Plan is an intensive, degree-long program designed to prepare GT graduates professionally and personally for successful lives in the 21st century. Requirements of the program include international coursework, two terms abroad (any combination of study, research or internship abroad), proficiency in a second language, and a culminating course. Students who complete the program will have a designation on their diploma indicating completion of the degree with global competence: for example, “BS in Mechanical Engineering: International Plan.” For more information or an application, contact your major advisor or OIE and visit the website: click here