BC-ISG Paris Exchange
Brooklyn College Exchange with L'Institut Supérieur de Gestion (ISG)
(Paris, France)
The Brooklyn College exchange program with L'Institut Supérieur de Gestion (ISG) International Business School is open to all Brooklyn College students who are business majors or who are interested in taking business courses. Students may study for a semester or year while paying their CUNY tuition and fees, making this opportunity very affordable. Additional expenses will include airfare, accommodations, meals, books and supplies, and personal expenses. ISG prepares students to become business managers with leadership responsibilities and apply them holistically to adapt to a constantly changing global environment. Courses at ISG are taught in English. ISG is in the heart of Paris and a great jumping off point to explore the historical and multicultural facets of this great European city. This program is competitive and spaces are limited.
Eligibility
This program is open to all college students, though preference is given to Brooklyn College students, and to business majors and minors. Applicants should have:
- a 3.00 minimum GPA,
- 45 college credits,
- a clear academic and disciplinary record, and
- a recommended study of two semesters of college-level French.
Academic Credit and Course Offerings
Students receive credit and grades for the courses taken at L'Institut Supérieur de Gestion. Prior to the end of the semester before studying abroad, all participants should obtain written approval for credit equivalencies. The Study Abroad Coarse Equivalency Form (pdf) provides information on how to do so. Participants who are not Brooklyn College students should confer with their home university's study abroad office for instructions on attaining equivalencies.
As an exchange student at ISG, you are able to choose from several course modules offered by the university. Courses are available in the areas of business. Visit the ISG for a full list of course offerings.
ISG Academic Calendar/Program Dates
- Fall Semester: September–January
- Spring Semester: January–May
Estimated Costs for One Semester (2015–16)
The average student should budget between 1,000 and 1,500 euros per month for accommodation and other living expenses. Keep in mind variations in personal lifestyle and spending preferences. Below is an approximate cost breakdown:
- CUNY tuition and fees
- Roundtrip Airfare: $984
- Housing (several options): $2,621–$4,369
- Meals and Laundry/Household Amenities: $791
- Books and Supplies: $197
- Personal Expenses (local travel, Internet, phone, etc.): $1,116
- CUNY mandated CISI Health/Travel Insurance (pdf) ($42.58 per month): $170.32
* Dollar estimate based on ISG average costs in euros multiplied by currency exchange of one euro is equal to US$1.09 (as of January 11, 2016). Students should be sure to check online for the most current exchange rates.
† There are plenty of resources online for referencing cost of living and student expenses in Paris. For example, the Student Calculator is a good place to gain insight about the costs of living and studying in France.
We also suggest that students visit OANDA for up-to-date currency conversion rates. Once on the site, click on Currency Converter at the top of the page.
- The first section allows you to view the currency exchange rate between two countries.
- The second section will then generate the buying and selling rate of the U.S. dollar and the euro.
As of January 10, 2016:
- Selling 1 euro, you get US$1.09214.
- Buying 1 euro, you pay US$1.09314.
How to Apply
- Complete and submit the Notification of Study Abroad/Brooklyn College Study Abroad Application (pdf).
- IPSA applications must be submitted to IPSA no later than April 1 for fall semesters, and October 1 for spring semesters. Due to limited spaces, interested students should submit their applications as early as possible.
- After initial acceptance by IPSA, students will need to submit an ISG academic registration information directly to L'Institut Supérieur de Gestion.
- L'Institut Supérieur de Gestion applications must be submitted no later than May 1 for fall semesters, and October 15 for spring semesters.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Most scholarships and financial aid that a student receives for semester study at Brooklyn College can be applied on semester abroad exchange programs. Students should consult the Office of Financial Aid about specifics on how their financial aid applies. Scholarships are also available for semester study abroad. Refer to the IPSA website or visit the Brooklyn College Office of Scholarships. If you are not a Brooklyn College student, any financial aid you are currently receiving is administered by your home institution's Office of Financial Aid. Questions about financial aid should be directed to that office.
Housing Information
L'Institut Supérieur de Gestion students live off campus. Finding a place to stay in Paris can sometimes be quite difficult, so it is strongly recommend that you start looking before you leave the United States. Housing costs between 600 and 1,000 euros (approximately $680–$1,135) per month (first months are more expensive, because of agencies' fees, deposit, etc.). Housing insurance is mandatory and costs around 150 euros (US$170) per year. It is important to have documentation with you when applying for housing (financial information, bank statements, proper identification, etc.).
Here is an expected range of housing costs:
- Temporary: one night in two-star hotel — 100 euros; in a hostel — 30 euros
- Private residence: from 600 to 1,000 euros per month
- Cité Universitaire Internationale: 400 euros per month
- Studio apartment: between 600 and 1,000 euros per month
- Room: between 500 and 1,000 euros per month
- Shared apartment: from 400 to 800 euros per month
Student Visa Information
You must obtain a student visa before your arrival in France. You should request the visa at least three months before your departure. You need a valid passport to apply for a long-stay student visa, with residency permit "valant titre de séjour" (VLS-TS). The documents required (copy of acceptance letter) for a visa application can be found on the French consulate website.
All U.S. students planning to study in France will be required to register with CampusFrance, an organization housed in the French embassy in Washington, D.C. This will begin the student visa application process. Next, students will need to apply in person for the visa at the nearest French Consulate. Visit CampusFrance for more information.
To start the process, go to the CampusFrance website and click on the small American flag on the upper left of the page in order to view the site in English. Read the information regarding CampusFrance, especially the Guide to CampusFrance registration. You will be completing the process as a "Study Abroad Student or Exchange Student." To get started, click on the gray button at the top "Application" and proceed to the section "Students Already Accepted Into a Program or an Institution in France" and click on the link for "Study Abroad or Exchange Students" to begin your application.
For further information:
- French consulate
- French diplomatie
- CampusFrance short-stay student visas
- CampusFrance extended-stay student visas
- Validating the VLS-TS visa
For More Information
International Programs & Study Abroad
1108 Boylan Hall
P: 718.951.5189
L'Institut Supérieur de Gestion Resources
L'Institut Supérieur de Gestion International Programs
Yannick Tremblay, Relations Internationales
8 rue de Lota
75116 PARIS
P: 01-56-26-26-24
E: yannick.tremblay@isg.fr
Consulate General of France in New York
35 East 75th Street
New York, NY 10021
P: 212.249.6348
Note that all information listed above is subject to change at any time.
