In the preceding Appendix the attempt has been made simply to set forth as concisely and exactly as possible the technicalities involved in entering upon the courses and obtaining the degrees of the French institutions of higher education. However, a statement of these technicalities is not likely to answer all the questions which may arise in the mind of the American student who intends to study in France. Consequently, it has seemed wise to devote a few words of explanation to some of the other problems which the student is almost sure to encounter: such problems as the choice of a university; the opportunities for association with other students in clubs and societies; the facilities for acquiring the French language; summer schools; the French doctor's degree conferred by the Universities; the doctor's thesis; the relation of the French degrees conferred by the State to our American degrees; general living expenses; etc.
Some of these subjects have been adequately treated in various works, setting forth the opportunities and advantages of study in France. Aside from the handbook of the "Office national des Universités," the "Livrets de l'étudiant," and the two booklets published by the Alliance Française already mentioned in Appendix II, the student is advised to consult the following books and articles: "The Universities of France: A Guide for American Students," published in 1899 by the Franco-American Committee, 87, boulevard Saint Michel, Paris; "French University Degrees," published by the "Comité de patronage des étudiants étrangers," at the Sorbonne, Paris, 2nd edition, 1910; "Conseil aux Américains" by Professor Robert Dupouey, in the University of California Chronicle, Vol. IX, No. 4, 1907; this latter is a summary in English of a longer treatment in French which appeared in 1907 in the "Echo des Deux Mondes," a French periodical published in Chicago.
Choice of a University.---The student who intends to study in France quite naturally plans at least to begin his sojourn in Paris. And rightly so if he takes into account only the wealth of intellectual opportunities offered by the capital. However, few American students are prepared, on first arriving in France, to take immediate advantage of these opportunities. Consequently, should he raise the pertinent questions as to the most expeditious and normal manner of orienting himself in French life, of acquiring that perfect facility in the use of the language which all effective university work requires, of obtaining a correct and sympathetic understanding of French institutions, manners, customs, and ideals, he will decide to take up his residence at first in a provincial town and to enter upon his work in a provincial university, only settling in Paris after he has become fully oriented in France. In this decision he will find that nearly all Americans who have pursued serious studies in France, as well as French educators themselves, will concur.
The claims of the provincial university have been very forcibly stated by M. Steeg, a former Minister of Public Instruction, in these words: "There is every advantage for the foreign student entering into French life to begin his sojourn elsewhere than in Pans. It is so much easier for him to adapt himself to his environment. He will be less likely to be distracted from his studies. He will come into more direct contact with his instructors and with his fellow students. Especially will he find that he can carry on his laboratory work and all sorts of practical work to better advantage A foreigner who goes directly to Paris to study loses a great deal of time simply in becoming oriented in the metropolis and even in the Faculties. The residence in the capital is genuinely profitable only for those who settle there for the latter part of their sojourn in France."
And is not this counsel essentially what we would give to a foreign student coming to this country to study? Scarcely would we recommend him to settle in New York City, attempt to acquire there the English language, seek to adapt himself to the complex life of our cosmopolitan city, and judge of our institutions, customs, manners, and ideals in the light thereof. To the unoriented foreign student, Paris presents essentially the same limitations as New York City. The fear, sometimes expressed by students, lest they acquire some pronunciation other than the correct Parisian French, is scarcely well grounded. The French spoken in university circles outside of Paris is apt to be quite as correct as that heard in the capital itself, much more correct than the greater part of the ordinary French of the Paris streets.
Aside from offering a greater simplicity, geniality, and intimacy of life than that of Paris, some of the provincial universities present great natural beauty of environment and the most varied attractions of out-of-door life. Universities like Grenoble, Clermont-Ferrand, Montpellier, Toulouse, and Besançon rival in the beauty of their surroundings and picturesqueness Heidelberg or Iena, Oxford or St. Andrews. Within recent years out-of-door sports have undergone a marked revival in the provincial universities, as is evidenced by the wide-spread organization of clubs for the encouragement of sports. Some of these students' athletic clubs, as the Bordeaux-Étudiants-Club and the Stade toulousian, have well-equipped club-houses and athletic fields.
The University Organizations Designed to Aid Foreigners, Students' Clubs and Associations, etc.---"Comités de patronage pour les étudiants étrangers."---Every French university has a Committee of patronage for foreign students which stands ever ready to offer any advice or information with reference to university studies, instruction in the French language, general conditions of living (board, lodgings, pension in private families, etc.), or other difficulties which may confront the foreign student. After determining to settle at a particular university,. the American student should communicate immediately with the local "Comité de patronage." The office of the Committee is usually located in one of the university buildings and is easily accessible.
"Consuls universitaires."---Some of the universities have appointed so-called "Consuls universitaires," each of whom acts as the director of studies and general counsellor of all the students who speak the same language. The University of Bordeaux has been especially successful in the development of this system. The student should feel quite free to consult his University Counsellor on any difficulties which arise.
"Associations générales des étudiants et étudiantes."---Every French university now has its general Students' Association for men, similar in its organization, aims, and advantages offered to our well-known students' clubs, such as the Harvard Union at Cambridge, Houston Hall at the University of Pennsylvania, and the Reynolds Club at the University of Chicago. Some of these "Associations générales" have sumptuous club-houses and excellent facilities of every kind. The most perfectly equipped is the new home of the "Association générale" of Paris, located at Nos. 13 and 15, rue de la Bûcherie, at the very center of the old Latin Quarter. It offers comfortable lounging, reading and study rooms. The library numbers more than 40,000 volumes, grouped together in special sections for the convenience of the students of the different Faculties and Schools. All the principal newspapers and periodicals, literary, scientific and general, whether French or foreign, are kept on file. Its members enjoy certain concessions, such as reductions in the price of theatre tickets, books, periodicals, and even of many of the ordinary necessities of life. In cases of necessity the Association also aids its members by loaning them money and obtaining for them medical attention. It also furnishes French teachers, translators, and companions for foreign students, and runs an employment bureau for the benefit of students who must needs help themselves.
Any student, whether a Frenchman or a foreigner, who is regularly enrolled in one of the Faculties of the University or in one of the other institutions of higher learning in Paris, is eligible for membership. The annual dues are 18 francs.
Though the Students' Associations in the provincial universities cannot always offer as elaborately equipped club-houses as those found in Paris, still they are the active centers of the student life. The American student, wherever he may settle, should identify himself with the local Association and profit by the advantages it offers, not only in the way of good-fellowship, but also in cooperating with his fellow-students in the common intellectual and moral ideals of the University. In this way he will best enter into and appreciate the real life of France.
Associations for women students, similarly organized and equipped, have been established in most of the French universities. The "Association générale des étudiantes" of the University of Paris is comfortably established at No. 55, rue Saint-Jacques. In addition to offering parlors, reading rooms, a general information bureau, an employment bureau and free medical service, it has established a Women's Co-operative Restaurant where meals and afternoon tea are served to members at very moderate prices.
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Clubs with a religious purpose.---There are also a number of other Students' Clubs, especially in Paris, which not only offer many of the same advantages as the General Associations of Students, but are also organized with reference to certain specific ends and offer special opportunities to students interested in these ends. Such are the " Association générale des Étudiants Catholiques de Paris," 18, rue du Luxembourg, open to all Catholic men enrolled in the higher schools of Paris, and the "Association des Étudiants Protestants," 46, rue de Vaugirard, open similarly to all Protestant men. There is also a club for women, organized on similar lines, the "Association chrétienne d'Étudiantes," 67, rue Saint-Jacques, which is open to any woman student without any restriction as to faith or creed.
American Students' Clubs.---There are in Paris a number of clubs, which have been organized primarily by generous Americans, and provide admirably for the interests of American women students. Among these are the Students' Hostel, 93, boulevard Saint-Michel, which has a club-house admirably equipped in every respect, including an infirmary; the American Girls' Club, rue de Chevreuse, very comfortably situated in a retired street and provided with a beautiful garden; and Trinity Lodge, rue du Val-de Grace, under the auspices of the Anglican Church, very pleasantly installed. All these clubs offer homes to a limited number of American and English girls, as well as provide a complete social center with all the necessary equipment for a much larger number.
Hitherto there have been no similar clubs, adequately equipped for American men students. The old American Art Association, which played such an important role in the life of American students in Paris during so many years, has been allowed to die. But at the time of going to press a "Maison des Étudiants Américains" is being organized.(11)
Instruction in French Language and Literature.---No people have made such earnest and systematic efforts to ensure the correct teaching of their language and literature to foreigners as have the French in recent years. In this movement the Alliance Française, with headquarters at 186, boulevard Saint-Germain Paris, has taken the lead. In co-operation with the higher educational authorities, the Alliance not only offers courses at its headquarters in Paris during the months of July and August, but also has arranged similar vacation courses either under its immediate direction or in connection with the Universities during the whole or a portion of the period from July I to October 31.
Vacation courses are offered by the Universities of Besançon Bordeaux, Dijon, Grenoble, Lille (at Boulogne-sur-Mer), Lyon Nancy, Poitiers (at the "Institut d'études de Touraine" at Tours), and Rennes (at Saint-Malo).
Vacation courses under the direction of the Alliance Française are also offered at Villerville, Lisieux, Bayeux, Marseille (at the Institut moderne), Versailles (at the Lycée for girls), and Saint-Valéry-en-Caux.
Special courses in French for foreigners during the regular school year, usually extending from the first of November till the end of May, have been organized in all the French universities (except Aix, Alger and Clermont).
Several private schools in Paris also offer excellent instruction in French during both the regular school year and the vacation, and even coach and prepare students for the examinations at the Sorbonne for the " Certificats d'études françaises " and other diplomas. Such schools are the "Guilde internationale," 6, rue de la Sorbonne; the "Institut Saint-Germain," rue des Écoles; and others.
For a complete detailed description of all these vacation and regular courses in French as given from year to year, consult the two booklets, published annually by the Alliance Française, already referred to: "Guide illustré de l'étudiant étranger à Paris et en France" and the "Bulletin officiel de la Fédération de l'Alliance Française aux États-Unis et au Canada."
Responsible and capable private teachers in French can always be obtained on the recommendation of the various " Comités de patronage," the official bureau of information, or through the various students' clubs.
If the American who has had a good grounding in French in our schools, but has not acquired perfect facility in the use of it, will go to France at the beginning of July, will settle down at a provincial university where vacation courses are offered, and will not only follow conscientiously these courses but also profit by the opportunities offered by life in a recommended private family, there is every likelihood that when the Universities open on the first of November, he will be able not only to follow but also to participate actively in the courses offered.
The Doctor's Degree (in Law, Medicine, Sciences, Letters and Pharmacy) conferred by the Universities.---The "Doctorats de l'Université" are of recent origin. Not until the Universities were constituted as separate and autonomous bodies by the law of July 10, 1896, were they delegated the power to establish and grant degrees in their own name. Prior to 1896, the various Faculties and Schools, now constituting the sixteen Universities, were integral parts of the "Université nationale de France," a single university system, administered by a "Grand Maître," assisted by a "Conseil de l'Université;" this university system was further subdivided into "Academies," each under the direction of a "Recteur," assisted by a " Conseil Académique." All the degrees granted under this old system were degrees conferred by the State, usually carrying with them the right to practice some profession in France. Not only was the work prescribed for these degrees organized almost exclusively with reference to the exigencies of professional work in France; but the crowding of the professions and the consequent intense competition for positions made it necessary to hedge about these degrees with many restrictions. The substitution of school or university work successfully completed in another country in the fulfillment of the requirements for these degrees was seldom permitted. The result was that few Americans sought these degrees; for they could not afford to spend the time and the money to go to France to finish their secondary school education and so obtain the "baccalauréat de l'enseignement secondaire," required for practically all the higher degrees conferred by the State
No sooner were the Universities granted their autonomy in 1896 than they began to take advantage of their newly conferred powers by establishing degrees of purely scientific and academic value, divorced from any direct relation to the professions in France Among these degrees are the various "doctorats de l'Université." Though each University is free to determine for itself the conditions required for obtaining these degrees, all have striven toward a common standard, just as have our better institutions in giving a fixed value to our Ph.D. This process of standardizing has also been furthered by the desire to make the doctor's degrees conferred by the Universities, stand for the same grade of scientific and scholarly achievements as those conferred by the State.
Though the latter are still open to American and all other foreign students under the conditions indicated in Appendix II, still, to all intents and purposes, the university degrees serve the same function as our own doctor's degrees, and are consequently the degrees which most American graduate students in France will likely seek.
The Doctor's Thesis and Examination.---A thesis is required in order to obtain the Doctor's degree in France, no matter along what 1ine of specialization it is sought. In general this work corresponds in scope to the thesis required for our Ph.D. Yet it is often a much more elaborate piece of work, amounting to a comprehensive and exhaustive monograph on the subject. No limit as to its length and scope is laid down, as with us. Many French doctorate theses have become classics in their particular field of research and have raised their authors to the front rank of recognized scholars.
The subject and general plan of the thesis must be submitted for approval to the Faculty in which the degree is sought, by a professor representing the special line of work implied in the thesis. When completed, it is passed upon by a group of specialists appointed by the Dean, and, if accepted by them, is then approved by the Dean himself. The "Recteur" of the "Académie" finally passes upon it, and issues or denies a permission to print it. After it is printed, the candidate is called upon to support and defend his work in public before an examining committee, usually composed of six members.
The defence of the thesis constitutes the first part of the examination. The second part consists of an oral examination on problem and subject matter, chosen by the candidate and approved by the Faculty. The candidate usually makes a list of the courses he has pursued and the allied subjects he has studied; he is questioned on these subjects, which may be chosen among the courses of the different Faculties. If he passes successfully, he is granted the degree of Doctor with the mention of the specialty: "philosophy," if that be the subject, on his diploma.
The Significance of French Degrees conferred by the State, and their Relation to our American Degrees.---The system of State degrees and diplomas in France is so intimately related to the general evolution of French educational institutions, and is so unique in many respects, that it is difficult to interpret it in terms of any other system. Since, however, the main structure of the university system is constructed about these degrees, it is especially important for the American student who enters this system to know something about them.
Baccalauréat. On completing successfully his secondary school work, at the age of 17 to 19, the French student receives the "baccalauréat de l'enseignement secondaire" which permits hum to enter any of the Faculties or Schools of higher education, except those admitting only on the basis of a competitive examination, such as the "École polytechnique." The "baccalauréat" represents, in general attainments in knowledge, method and technique, two years or so in advance of that represented by the diplomas of our best high schools and preparatory schools. In particular, the "baccalauréat" stands for a degree of specialization and technical proficiency as yet not attained in our secondary schools.
Licence. Most French students, on entering the university, enroll as candidates for the degree of "licence" in one of the Faculties in which it is conferred, Law, Sciences or Letters; or else they work to obtain the "Certificate d'études physiques, chimiques et naturelles," which is absolutely required for entrance on the regular five-year course in medicine.
The "licence en droit" is absolutely required for admission to the bar in France, and confers that right. In general function, then, it corresponds to our degree of Bachelor of Laws, except that it comprehends also our State bar examinations.
The "licence ès sciences" and the "licence ès lettres" confer upon those who hold them the right to become candidates for the teaching positions of "Chargé de cours" in a "Lycée " or professor in a "Collège." The "Lycée" is a higher and more completely equipped preparatory school than the "Collège." These two degrees correspond in a general way to our degrees of Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts respectively. However, the French degrees stand for a very much higher degree of specialization than do ours; this is evidenced by the fact that the "licence" can only be obtained along some one definite line of work, as Modern Languages, Philosophy, etc. The system of graduating with honors, as it is carried out at Harvard Collège, approaches most closely the French scheme of specialization
The "Diplômes d'études supérieures" ("de sciences," "de lettres") are even more difficult to interpret in terms of our degrees. In some respects they correspond to the Master of Arts degree, especially as it used to be interpreted when it involved the preparation of a thesis on a subject approved by the Faculty. The preparation of the thesis is the main requirement for these French degrees; but the thesis does not necessarily imply the original research required for the Doctor's thesis but rather implies well grounded information and erudition. The candidate usually spends about a year in preparation for the degree; but no formal requirements are laid down. Since 1904 all candidates for the "Agrégation" are absolutely required to present this degree along with the "licence."
"Agrégé." As a special means of determining the fitness and of choosing the candidates for regular professorships in the "Lycées" and for teaching positions other than professorships in the Universities, the French educational authorities established as early as 1825, competitive examinations, the so-called "agrégations de 1'enseignement secondaire" in lettres and the sciences. A certain number of candidates along each line of specialization who stand highest in these examinations are accorded the title of "agrégé" and receive appointments to the teaching positions which are open About the preparation for this degree a very considerable portion of the work in every Faculty of Science and Faculty of Letters is organized. Practically the entire work of the two higher normal schools for men and women ("École normale supérieure" and "École normale supérieure d'enseignement secondaire des Jeunes Filles ') is organized in preparation for these "agrégations."
The "agrégations" are naturally not open to foreigners, except under very special conditions. No one would likely seek the title who did not desire to enter the teaching profession in France. The only American title which in any respect corresponds to the title of "agrégé" is that conferred upon the recipient of a teachers diploma, representing some line of specialization. The right to teach in a certain grade of school attaches to the French as it does to the American degree.
The "Doctorat de l'État" is the absolutely required prerequisite for appointment to a professorship in any French university. This applies especially to the degree as conferred in the Sciences and in Letters, and accounts for the fact that these degrees are generally recognized as standing for a higher degree of scholarship than any other similar degrees conferred in other countries to-day. The Doctor's degree in Medicine is absolutely required of every one practicing medicine in French territory.
It will be apparent that in general function the French doctor's degrees in Lettres, Sciences, and Médecine correspond to our Ph.D., D.Sc., and M.D. respectively. The doctor's degree in Law, on the contrary, is earned on the basis of scholastic work just as are the other doctor's degrees, while with us it has been a purely honorary degree, except for the J.D. recently adopted in some universities, and the D.C.L. still surviving in others. No American university, it is believed, confers the doctor's degree especially in Pharmacy.
General Expenses.---It is especially difficult, under the rapidly changing conditions of living in France, to offer any exact estimate of probable expenses. Under normal conditions in recent years, pension in private families or in family hotels in Paris could be obtained for 150 francs a month and up. Pension includes board and lodging, and sometimes service. Lodgings in the Latin Quarter run from about eight dollars a month up. In general, 1iving expenses in the provincial towns are considerably less than in Paris.
A student should scarcely go to France, expecting to defray all his expenses during a year, for less than six hundred dollars. With a thousand dollars a year at his disposal a student should be able to live comfortably.
All the university fees for matriculation, enrollment, examinations, theses, and diplomas have been indicated in Appendix II in direct connection with the discussion of these topics.
The principal French steamship lines offer very considerable reductions in fares to American students who are going to France to study. Application should be made through the nearest French consul.
Important Suggestions.---Be sure to obtain an American passport and have it countersigned and sealed ("visé") by the nearest French consul.
Do not forget to take with you all your diplomas and other documents attesting your scholastic work successfully completed. These should also be countersigned and sealed by the French consul of your region; and translated either under his direction or by a legalized translator in France.
On arriving in France, do not fail to declare immediately your residence there, either at the city-hall of the town in which you settle, or in Paris at the Préfecture de Police (Bureau des Étrangers, 1, rue de Lutèce).
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