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ACTIF - Adult Cultural Term in France
HOW IT STARTED The idea for ACTIF arose many years ago while I was directing a Junior Year Abroad program for an American university. Quite frequently, the parents of my students would come to visit while their children were here in Montpellier.......and many of them expressed the desire to have the same experience as their son or daughter. At the time, they were still busy with their jobs, and paying for their children to study abroad. They said that someday, when they retired and their children were grown, they would like to come and "stay for a while" in France. They had already been on guided tours of Europe, and on various cruises...but the notion of coming to stay and study was a bit terrifying. How to cope with finding a place to live, learn enough of the language to handle everyday necessities, meet people, visit the surrounding area, etc. were things they did not feel they could manage. My reply was "Why not?" Why not establish a program which would eliminate the problems which caused their reluctance? Now that the children were grown and retirement had provided the time for such an experience.... And so the inspiration for this program which we call A.C.T.I.F. was born.....an Adult Cultural Term in France....not just a brief visit, but the opportunity to come and live in France for two or three months.
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ABOUT THE PROGRAM The program provides suitable, independent living arrangements, classes in the language, lectures on the culture and civilization of France, excursions to many historical areas in the region, visits with French families, and many other advantages for first-time residents. |
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Matilda Lipscomb |
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If you decide to participate in the ACTIF program, there are some important things to remember. The program we are offering is a living/learning experience rather than a travel tour. While guided tours just barely skim the surface of a country ’s culture, ACTIF offers an opportunity to live “la vie française ”,make new friends, enjoy your favorite leisure interests or learn new ones. ACTIF smoothes out the rough spots by providing housing, classroom support, and many group activities. However, any living experience in a foreign country will require some effort on your part. In many ways, it will call for the same commitment as that shown by our university year-abroad students. If you have ever moved to a new city, you will surely remember how difficult the prospect of a fresh start seemed at the time. Now remember how gratifying it was to develop new friendships and explore a new community! Although the program will be carefully structured, there will be considerably more flexibility and free time than there is in the university programs. But instead of competing for grades, your only limit will be the scope of your own imagination. One of the most important points to remember is that although France is a modern European country, it is still in many ways very different from America. As an ACTIF participant, you will learn to understand, accept and appreciate these differences. If you come with an attitude of open- mindedness and eagerness to learn, you will find that the ACTIF program will be one of the highlights of your adult life. Due to the very limited space available in the program, applications will be reviewed in the order received, and applicants will be notified in plenty of time to make their necessary arrangements. Matilda Lipscomb Request an application form here.
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