Business Internship Program
For those students whose language skills are equal to the challenge, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry has developed an internship program for Central College in Paris students that combines coursework in business and economics with an intensive internship placement that offers a unique and meaningful professional and cultural learning experience.
Students attend intensive Business French (both oral and written) and French and International Economics classes in the first half of the semester and are placed full-time in a business internship to complete the semester. Presentation of a final project paper takes place at the end of the semester. Interns present their work to a committee composed of the director and faculty of the CCIP, the Paris program director and a representative from the internship site. This program was designed for Central College Abroad students only in the partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. In addition to course and internship credits which total 16 SH, students will receive DFA 1 or 2 upon successful completion of the program and exam administered by the CCIP.
This program has been extremely successful and is an excellent means of integrating into French society. Some examples of past internships include: BNP Paribas, France Energie Emploi, S.N.C.F., Haut Conseil de la Francophonie, Centre Culturel de Courbevoie, and Aéroports de Paris.
Intensive Business Internship Coursework:
FREN 862Fc
Business French (oral)
2 SH
This course emphasizes oral comprehension and analysis of various documents.
FREN 864Fc
Business French (written)
4 SH
This course is a study of specific vocabulary including writing of business letters, memos and publicity. A presentation of different situations in business such as: accounting, banking, insurance, marketing, etc.
ECON 880Fs
French and International Economics
3 SH
This course will focus on business in France and its place in the French, European and international markets. First will be an overview of the French economy, including its history and present state. The study will proceed to an examination of French business in both a European and international context. With this basis, the course will study the mechanics of a French business and its commercial functions, its finances, and the importance of economy and how its institutions work, the strengths and weaknesses of the European Unions, and its project of the EU. The course will also examine the Euro, its social, political and economic roles.
ECON 897F
Internship
7 SH
The internship will take place in a French or international organization, where the student will have the opportunity to experience professional relations in another culture. Students will have a supervisor at the internship site who will monitor their work and progress. Once a week, students will also meet with their professor. In addition to the internship itself, students will also examine and reflect on their experiences in a journal kept throughout the internship and a paper as well as an oral presentation at the end of the semester. Pass/no record basis.
