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JOINING TWO WORLDS
 The subject of
numerous articles and professional conferences, French Practicum has
received national attention as the cornerstone of the AUCP program for
its insistence upon the cultural integration of its students.
Ensuring an innovative interdisciplinary learning experience, the AUCP
is built around the assumption that the heart of successful study
abroad is not only serious course work but authentic cultural
experience and informed, guided reflection on that experience. The
comprehensive five-part program, French Practicum, consists of academic
course work linked with four interrelated experiential components
(individual homestay, a language partner, a personal interest activity,
and community service). Capturing the essence of international
education, French Practicum brings together the curricular with the
extracurricular, what goes on in the classroom during overseas study
with the authentic cultural encounters of daily French life.
Classroom
Component
In addition to its traditional academic demands and rewards, the
classroom component of French Practicum functions as a vital form of
"continuing orientation" for students. The course heightens awareness
of the demands of cultural adaptation and guides the on-going
development of intercultural awareness and competence in cross-cultural
communication.
Experiential
Components
The following program requirements provide AUCP students with multiple
opportunities daily for natural, spontaneous linguistic and cultural
contact—living with and like the French.
Individual French Homestay
 At the heart of the AUCP’s commitment
to its students’ cultural integration is an individual French
homestay (one student per family, on a demi-pension
basis: breakfast seven days a week and five weekday dinners). This
privileged form of housing opens the doors to the private aspects of
French life unavailable to participants in many study abroad programs.
Through each day’s interaction and meals with their host
families, students achieve an intimate understanding of such things as
the daily and yearly rhythms of French life, the central cultural
position of family and tradition, and the role of good food in the
famous savoir vivre of the French.
Families are selected personally by the on-site director for their
warmth and enthusiasm in providing a quality cultural experience for
the student they welcome to their homes. In keeping with its
importance to the overall AUCP experience, all housing arrangements and
changes are made only with the consent of the AUCP administration,
which has final authorit y
in all matters related to housing.
Language Partner
 Students abroad often complain that they don't
have enough opportunity to make friends outside the American student
group. By the end of their first week of study, AUCP students
meet their language partners, usually a French student or young
professional currently studying English for career or personal
goals. At the very least, this two-hour conversation exchange
(one hour French, one hour English) gives each student a chance to chat
with another language learner sensitive to the frustrations of
mastering a new language. And if the chemistry is right, friendships
develop which grow into networks of local contacts and dinner
invitations and camping trips and concerts . . . all à
la française.
Personal Interest Activity
 Active, well-rounded individuals with a wide
range of personal interests, AUCP students quickly see that there is no
reason to put their favorite activities on hold during their time
abroad. Study abroad is not "time off"—it's a part
of your life story. The Personal Interest Activity component
of French Practicum makes it easy for students who play piano, practice
judo or sing in a choir at home, to continue their activity while in
France. In addition, Provence offers countless possibilities
to begin an activity you have never had the time or the opportunity to
do before: sailing, rock climbing, playing in an orchestra or joining a
soccer team. Students usually find that sharing in these activities is
often the quickest, surest way to get to know French people naturally.
Community Service
 All
AUCP students provide weekly community service in the interest of one
of the many local non-profit organizations. After an introductory
interview, the AUCP administration helps program participants choose
amongst the many available opportunities, from work with
underprivileged children to accompaniment and conversation for senior
citizens. A formal agreement, or convention de stage,
makes the arrangement official, and students are expected to provide at
least two hours of their time and effort weekly.
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