Nantes Summer Program

Launched in 1980, the Nantes Summer Program is a six-week program designed for business students to study the European Union and the dynamic business environment of Europe.

All classes are taught in English by the faculty of Audencia Nantes, School of Management in France. Classes are scheduled all day Monday through Thursday, with presentations held on a few Fridays, providing students with the opportunity to travel on a few long weekends.

The program is designed to introduce students to the European Union and the environment of business and finance in Europe through the study of different aspects of three major Western European countries;  France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.  The program starts with an introduction to the civilizations of these three countries and to the organizational structure of the various units of the European Union.  The program continues with the program focusing more directly on business and marketing within the EU

The last week of the program takes place in Brussels, Belgium, the capital of the European Union, where students attend lectures at various EU units and other organizations working with the EU to encourage greater international trade.  .

The Audencia Ecole de Management is recognized as one of France's top business schools. Founded in 1900, Audencia offers academic and research programs with a strong focus on international programs and collaboration with industry.  

 

Eligibility

The Audencia Summer Program is available to students enrolled at The Ohio State University who meet the following qualifications:

• Admitted Fisher Business student
• Rank 2/Sophomore standing; course credit earned through AP or EM credit, or through Post-Secondary Enrollment Option (K credit) in high school is not calculated in Rank 2/sophomore standing for purposes of determining eligibility for this program
• GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Completed prerequisite courses: ECON 200 & ECON 201
• For U.S. citizens, a visa is NOT required
• For foreign students, you may need to obtain a C visa depending on your country of origin; more information is available on the Consulate General of France in Chicago’s website

 

Course and Credit Offering

Classes are held Monday through Thursday and are conducted in English. Students will earn 9 hours of graded credit:

• Week 1, Monday, Jun 11: European Union Module:  1.5 semester credits (BA 3797)
• Week 2, Monday, Jun 18:  European Business and Cultural Environment Module:  1.5 semester credits (BA 3797 which will be direct equivalent to International Business, BUSMHR 2000 (previously BUS 555)
• Week 3, Monday, Jun 25:  Intercultural Management Module:  1.5 semester credits (BA 3797)
• Weeks 4 and 5, Monday, July 2 and July 9:  Marketing to Europe Module:  3 semester credits (BA 3797 which will be a direct equivalent to International Marketing, BUSML 4254, and would serve as a direct equivalent for non-marketing majors.  Marketing majors would be evaluated on a case by case basis.
• Week 6, Monday, July 17, Depart for Brussels Study Tour Module:  1.5 semester credits (BA 3797) on a case by case basis.) 
• Optional:  Introductory French Course: 1.5 semester credits (FREN 3797)

 

Courses

• All classes are taught in English.

• Classes are held on Monday through Thursday 9:00 am -1:00 pm and may include a company visit in the afternoon.  Several Fridays include project presentations.

• Students are not required to buy textbooks. Teaching material is developed by faculty and distributed to students. Classroom teaching is supplemented by readings and cases/exercises to be prepared outside of class. Resources available to students include a library with a certain number of books and reviews in the English language, PC workstations, and a language laboratory.

• Students receive a grade for each module. This is based on the results of tests, exams and/or project work.  Examinations are based on readings and lectures.

European Union Module Week 1, 1.5 semester credits

• This module aims at analyzing different aspects of the European Union.  Studies from American perspectives help to fully understand both economies in the globalization process and political organizations made at the EU level by comparing it with the government structure in the US.  This also provides deeper understanding of the long-term relationships between the United States and Europe, especially in terms of economic issues since the Marshall Plan following World War II.

European Business and Cultural Environment Module Week 2, 1.5 semester credits

• This course offers an introduction to the environment of European business through the study of different aspects of three major Western European countries: France, Germany and the United Kingdom. The different areas covered are human & physical resources, history & culture, business & government relationships, regional interaction and integration, business & cultural conditions, political & social environment and management practices. It is taught by natives of the countries concerned. The final class permits students to discuss differences and similarities between the countries.

Intercultural Management Week 3, 1.5 semester credits

• This module will give students the opportunity to acquire hands on experience in dealing with cross-cultural issues with a series of corporate case studies.  Practical role play simulations will enable them to acquire the necessary communication and body language skills to facilitate interaction. 

Marketing to Europe Weeks 4 and 5, 3 semester credits

• This course is functional rather than environment based. It is divided into class work and a group project. The class lectures and discussions will cover an introduction to the European business environment, different management practices in Europe, and marketing practices in Europe. In the group project, students choose a product that does not yet exist in one of the 27 European Union countries.  Groups develop a SWOT analysis and a marketing plan keeping in mind the specific cultural, economic, and geographical characteristics of the chosen country.  The final presentation covers the product, pertinent characteristics of the country, and a marketing plan to successfully enter the target market.  French students will work with their international classmates on various projects.

Brussels Study Tour Module Week 6, 1.5 semester credits

• During the study tour, students will visit the European Union and other international institutions. Visits take the form of presentations and discussions of the institution concerned (background, environment, structure and policies) and its role in current and future European and international economics, business and/or politics.

OPTIONAL:  Introductory French Course, 1.5 semester credits

• Whether you already took French before or are a complete beginner, you have the opportunity to learn French in a class tailored to your needs and your level.

 

Schedule

The travel and program schedule is listed below.

• Depart USA on June 10, 2012
• Arrive in Nantes on June 11, Classes begin June 12, and end on July 19.
• Depart France on July 20, 2012

 

Program Cost

The student's program cost for the Nantes Summer Program is Study Abroad Program fee of approximately $1,666.

Included in the program cost:

• Accommodation with a French family from Sunday evening to Thursday morning, with some Thursday evening stays
• Breakfast and dinner from Sunday evening to Thursday 
• Brussels, Belgium week hotel accommodations from Jul 16 - Jul 19, with students departing on Friday, Jul 20, 2013
• International HTH health insurance (required)

Not Included:

• OSU semester tuition for 9 semester credit hours
• Airline flight
• Travel to and from the Brussels week
• Travel on weekends

 

Housing 

Students are housed with carefully selected local families living in Nantes who will provide lodging Sunday - Thursday morning only. Students must lodge elsewhere on the weekends.

Continental breakfast and dinner are provided from Monday morning until Thursday morning.

About Nantes, France

With its wide boulevards, botanical gardens and lively cafes, Nantes boasts a strong cosmopolitan tradition. From the open air markets to the commercial wharf area to the Jules Verne museum, Nantes offers numerous attractions to students and tourists alike.

An important port for centuries, Nantes has about 600,000 inhabitants and is a 2 hour train ride from Paris, and less than one hour from La Baule, the largest and one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe. There are also many direct flights daily from Nantes to Brussels, London, Barcelona, Milan, and Düsseldorf.

Nantes, together with the surrounding area, has important commercial, industrial, and service activities. In addition, tourism is an important sector for the region, and the port, one of the largest in France, is a demonstration of the city's international tradition. These activities have made the city the economic center of the west of France.

For additional information about Nantes tourism, visit www.nantes-tourisme.com.