Collège Saint-Charles-Garnier - International Programs - French Summer Program "En français à Québec!"

French Summer Program "En français à Québec!" 14-17 years old

FAQ

Who can enrol?
All non-francophone students aged between 14 and 17 who are motivated and interested in living a linguistic and intercultural experience. Canadian students from grade 11 and more are eligible for a bursary.

The information is available on the EXPLORE website.

Is the summer program campus located in the building of the College, on René-Lévesque boulevard?
No. The College rents the facilities at Campus de l'Université Laval. The administrative communications are forwarded to College Saint-Charles-Garnier whereas the mail and phone calls are sent to Campus de l'Université Laval for 5 weeks.
Where are the students coming from?
Students come from English-Canada, United States, Mexico, Brazil and other countries.
Can we pay by credit card?
Yes. You can also pay by cheque, in Canadian currency. It is possible to pay by wire transfer through your banking institution. For any of these modes of payments, you must make a request to the secretarial office of the College.
Will there be someone waiting for me at the airport on Sunday?
Yes, the staff will be at the airport to welcome you. A shuttle service will take you to Laval University Campus at a very reasonable cost. The Quebec city airport is very small, it will be easy to recognize our staff and we will help you if you need help. Although, if you arrive Saturday or Monday, nobody will be at the airport to greet you. We have all the information about the schedule in the brochure "Information on your arrival in Quebec". We have already sent you a copy of the brochure; therefore, we have all the information about the allotted time.
For the students travelling by train, go directly to the campus. You must have the address in hand in order to give it to the taxi driver.

If your family is driving you to the campus, the information documents include all the details you need and a Mapquest.
Is there a Shuttle service to the campus included in the cost?
No, but we offer a shuttle service from the airport to the campus for 10 $.
Can I arrive one day earlier?
Yes and you can stay on Laval University Campus. The cost per night is 40$. A supervision fee of 75$ per night will be charged immediately upon reservation.
When exactly should I leave?
The program ends on the Friday. Most of the students will leave in the morning or early on Friday afternoon. If you cannot have a flight on that Friday, you will have to stay in one of the residences at Laval University and the College will not pay the extra expenses for compulsory supervision. The supervision fee is 75 $ per night and will be charged immediately upon reservation.

What is the weather like in Quebec City in the summer?
In the summer, the weather is between 20 and 25 degree Celsius. Since the city is located on the shore of the Saint-Lawrence River, the humidity level seems to increase the temperature. No reimbursement will be given to a student leaving because of bad weather ( hot weather, excessive rain, cold weather, ...).

What kind of clothing is best for me to bring?
You have to wear decent clothes, without exaggeration. For some activities you have to wear sports clothes, a raincoat or a windbreaker for cool temperature, a swimsuit, running shoes, and also formal clothes for the gala evening at the end of the program. Jeans are accepted although caps in class are forbidden.
Are there special rules to follow in order to participate into the program?
Yes. The documents are clear about that. Drinking alcohol on campus, in bars or in restaurants in Quebec is forbidden as well as using drugs. These are serious reasons for expulsion. The same applies to your behavior. You have to communicate and show your effort in trying to speak French at all times. A respectful behavior towards others is very important in our educational project; therefore, negative attitude will be refered to the person in charge of the program. You have to be aware of the fact that you will lose some of your freedom within your group. Some of the freedom that is accepted in your family or personal life will not necessarily be tolerated or accepted in the program where a large group of people stay. You will have to assume your responsibilities.
Is there a placement test?
Yes, on the first day of class, you will take a placement test and you will then be integrated in a group of a maximum of 18 students.
Will I be able to change group if I find it too easy or too difficult?
Yes, on the first day of class, the teacher will do different activities in order to evaluate and make sure your placement test is adequate. If you have any doubts, you have to discuss this with your teacher. Your request will then be evaluated by your teacher and a pedagogical team. If you are not satisfied, the pedagogical counsellor will be there to listen and help you.
Could I obtain some credits for my course?
You are responsible for keeping the course outline which will be given to you during the first school week. At the end of the program, you will receive an official transcript. With these 2 documents, you have to go to the registry office of your institution and then request for a course recognition. It is your institution that will recognize your credits.
Could I obtain a receipt for school fees?
Saint-Charles-Garnier College is not a postsecondary establishment studies therefore, school fees receipts cannot be issued for fiscal purposes. A 16 year-old student by the end of the fiscal year, can insist upon his or her fiscal rights if the registration motive is to obtain the level of competency in order to practice a professional activity.
Are there private rooms in the residence? And the bathrooms?
Yes, the rooms are private and there is a bed, a sink, a desk, and a dresser for your clothes. There are shared bathrooms and showers are separated by walls.
What does a typical day look like?
You must attend all the activities from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; the 90 hour course offered in the morning and the sports and cultural activities in the afternoon and/or evening. A few evening activities are compulsory and different outings are offered on the weekends.
Can I practise different sports?
The program organizes different sports activities. On campus, you have access to the gym, indoor pool, soccer, volleyball and basketball courts.
How can we be sure that the students are safe?
At the residence, some floors are kept separate for girls and boys; a few monitors live on each floor for emergencies and supervision at night. There is always a day and night watchman at the front desk of each residence. Laval University has a very sophisticated 24 hour security service on patrol on foot and camera surveillance.
If I am sick, what happens?
A staff member will accompany you if a medical consultation is necessary; the management of the program will immediately contact your parents and together they will decide on the best action to take.
Are the information about my physical and mental health confidential? (only known by the person in charge of the program)?
Yes, of course! We ask the parents to inform us of any kind of problem; for the safety of the student. All students with diagnosed allergies must provide a medical certificate upon registration.
It is also important to give us the name of a third person we could reach in case of emergency. The parents will make sure that this person has all the important information (phone number and cell phone or address) if they go on vacation or away from home for a certain period of time during the program. This safety rule is mandatory in order to protect your child and the program cannot be held responsible in any case.
I am a vegetarian, does the cafeteria offer adequate meals?
The cafeteria serves balanced meals. The variety of meals is higher than the average, and will be appreciated by all consumers, vegetarian or not. All students with diagnosed food allergies must provide a medical certificate upon registration.
Is Quebec City safe?
Quebec city has a population of about 700 000 inhabitants. It is safe and warm. In all the cities in the world, you have to behave in a good way in order to ensure your own safety (carrying too much money, some areas to avoid). Further information will be presented to the students at the beginning of the program, as well as the parents will before their child's departure.
What will be the most difficult for me during my stay?
From past experience, the most difficult challenge is to adapt to a new group life. It is not obvious to accept the fact that our freedom is limited in the program compared to home since you are part of a large group of students and staff members. On the other hand, you have chosen to live with a group for 5 weeks and you are responsible for inherent behaviour. The rules that appear in the information documents are clear and by registering, you accept the rules.
Also, the schedule for the meals and the food served may be difficult for you to adapt to. We have students from different nationalities and everyone knows that it can vary a lot from one country to another. You have chosen to live for 5 weeks in Quebec, in a program where the schedule for the educational and leisure activities may not suit everyone. It is difficult to conciliate everyone's habits; you have to trust our judgement! Moreover, you will notice that some vegetables and main courses are more popular in Quebec than in your country. We experience exactly the same when we travel to your country.

At last, it is not easy to live in French for 5 weeks nor to be with friends who have a different mother tongue from yours. A constant effort will be essential with more or less nuance according to your level of competency. But remember: COMMUNICATION, SMILE... and PASSION must be there.