Study Abroad in Strasbourg, France...

Nestled at a crucial juncture of European trade on the western banks of the Rhine, the French city of Strasbourg has always been prosperous, and will impress study abroad students with its antique charm and prominent role in today's Europe. This capital of Alsace, once the object of bitter Franco-German rivalry, is now a symbol of postwar unity, and houses European institutions including the European Parliament and the European Court of Human Rights. Roman, French and Germanic influences blend here to create a hybrid culture unlike any other.

Because Strasbourg is located on a port on the Ill River and lies near the German border, students there can easily access Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg and Belgium. It is no wonder that the city is often called the “crossroads of Europe.” It is truly original, with its narrow cobblestone streets, bubbly canals and rolling countryside. The weather is generally sunny, warm and dry.

France as a whole offers many diverse institutes of higher education, and that flexibility allows study abroad students to design their own academic program to meet their specific goals. The country invests a great deal in education, committing more than 20 percent of the national budget to learning. Strasbourg's well developed higher education institutions reflect this national commitment.

As a historical center of European humanism and former home of luminaries such as Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Strasbourg has always placed great value on the humanities. Students passionate about the humanities will find excellent programs at one of the three Universities of Strasbourg, Université Marc Bloch. The university's extensive course offerings are not limited to French; it offers courses conducted in 25 additional languages.

Architecture students will find a wide array of styles to admire in Strasbourg, including medieval, gothic, Romanesque, baroque and art nouveau. An area of the city known as La Petite France transports one back to the early medieval and baroque Strasbourg years with half-timbered houses and the feel of the Hansel and Gretel fairy tale.

Architecture, art and history majors will also enjoy the Cathédrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg. The famous pink sandstone cathedral built between 1176 and 1439 is a unique work of art in itself, with its beautiful, intricate carvings and stained glass. The École Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs offers students excellent education in the arts.

Those students who favor the sciences and technology will find attractive programs at the Université Louis-Pasteur, named for the French scientist best known for his invention of pasteurization. The university is another of the three Universities of Strasbourg, as well as one of the top-ranking universities in Europe. Students will engage in interdisciplinary research at this institution that has produced numerous Nobel Prize winners and nine members of France's Academy of Science.

Students interested in astronomy won't want to miss the world-famous Horloge Astronomique, Strasbourg's astronomical clock built in 1352. Aspiring astronomers can study at the International Space University. That school has graduated more than 2,400 students from 93 countries since its establishment in 1987.

Students who have more terrestrial interests can study law at another of the Universities of Strasbourg, the Université Robert Schuman. More than 1,500 international students attend the school, and many of them take advantage of the European Center of Law and Justice located in Strasbourg. Students interested in international relations will find the Université Schuman a prime study destination.

Strasbourg residents tend to possess the work ethic of the Germans and the sophistication of the French. Their attitude toward foreigners is friendly and hospitable. Residents get around town on bicycles, in taxis, or by the famous tram system. Music students will find that music is a vital part of Strasbourg culture. Many major international organizations and companies will attract students of international business, while students interested in the environment will be pleased to discover the region's devotion to environmental protection.

Strasbourg is very much a university town, which is part of the reason that nightlife there is so electric. One out of every nine people in the city is a student, including nearly 50,000 international students. The huge student population keeps the bars, clubs, casinos and theaters open at all hours.

It's not hard to see why students flock here in droves: with a great blend of cultures, unique architecture, ideal weather and a hip population, Strasbourg is a stimulating place to study abroad.

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ONLINE RESOURCES
IIEPassport: http://www.iiepassport.org
French Ministry of Education: http://www.education.gouv.fr/
Information: http://www.strasbourg.co.uk/
City: http://www.mairie-strasbourg.fr/accueil
Tourism: http://www.strasbourg.com/index.php
Institut National des Sciences Appliquées: http://www.insa-rennes.fr/
Centre Universitaire d’Enseignement du Journalisme: http://cuej.u-strasbg.fr/
École Nationale du Génie de I’Eau et de I’Environment de Strasbourg: http://www-engees.u-strasbg.fr/index.php

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