Description

Strasbourg has all the excitement of a bustling international city, but maintains the charm of a medieval town. Internet cafes are tucked into streets that look much as they did 200 years ago, and medieval neighborhoods are alongside sleek new commercial districts.

Located in the heart of Europe, Strasbourg sits on the Rhine River a short walk from the German border and a short train ride from Switzerland, Luxembourg and Belgium and just two and a half hours by high speed train (TGV) to Paris. The Vosges Mountains form a picturesque backdrop to a rolling countryside dotted with quaint villages, and the Rhine meanders through the Alsatian wine country nearby. Strasbourg boasts an active cultural scene, including opera, a ballet, a national theater company, and eight museums.

Student life at BCA Strasbourg is truly international; thousands of international students and scholars spend some time here. The result: Strasbourg's local Alsatian culture has a decidedly cosmopolitan accent. The city's position as the crossroads of Europe affects the flavor of city life, too. Strasbourg alternated between French and German control for years. Today, the city is home to some of the European Union's most prestigious institutions.

BCA Strasbourg immerses students in the language and culture of France. Depending on their language ability, BCA students take courses taught in French by faculty from the University of Strasbourg or enroll directly at the university. BCA recommends that students have completed four semesters of college-level French before studying in Strasbourg.

Academics University Information

BCA Strasbourg introduces students to the European learning style at one of the country's oldest and most distinguished centers of learning. Founded in 1621, the University of Strasbourg is the largest university in France with more than 40,000 students.

Courses are available in the departments of performing arts, history, art history, archeology, literature, linguistics, philosophy, natural sciences, sociology, modern languages,business, political science, economics and theology.

BCA offers students the chance to study at several institutes within the university, including the following:

1.) Institut International d'Etudes Francaises(IIEF)
The IIEF offers French-language instruction for foreign students. Founded in 1920, it is one of the oldest institutes for foreigners in France. Most BCA students take at least some of their courses at IIEF, choosing from an array of options that include French history, art, politics and literature.

2.) Institut d'Etudes Politiques
Many students choose BCA Strasbourg because it provides the opportunity to study at the Institut d'Etudes Politiques, a very prestigious "grande école" for political science, economics and history.

3.) Ecole de Management (formerly IECS,now EMS)
Another grande ecole within the Université de Strasbourg system, the EMS specializes in business and economics. Many EMS courses are also taught in English.