Public Health in Europe: Policies and Institutions (Sciences Po, Paris)

» General Information

Location:

Paris, France (Population: 10 million)

Description:

This program is designed to introduce NU students to public health issues in the European Union as they affect living standards, welfare, fiscal policies, trade, and science policy. The program then focuses on health care systems, governmental and non-governmental policy responses, and the institutions that address these, and other, issues. A comprehensive program of seminars, language training, and field excursions has been developed jointly by NU and faculty affiliated with CREDES - the Center for Research on Health Economics at Sciences Po. Cultural excursions in Paris, plus at least one field trip to another French locale is also included.

Students may also now follow this program with continuing exchange courses at Sciences Po in spring semester or with an internship through IFE (Internships in Francophone Europe.)



Terms:

Fall Semester: September 1 - December 15

Sponsor:

International Program Development Office in partnership with the Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris (Sciences Po)

Website:

Public Health in Europe


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Language Requirements

  • Non-language classes and materials are all in English. However, students will be required to attend French language classes. Three to four levels of French are offered, depending on demand. Tutorials for beginners in French are provided during the spring before departure.
  • All participants in programs sponsored by the Office of International Program Development must purchase health insurance coverage from HTH Worldwide.

Course Type

Northwestern courses taught abroad. Classes are composed of a set curriculum along with a public health seminar. Unlike most study abroad programs, Public Health in Europe participants will receive letter grades on their NU transcript that count towards their GPA.

Public Health Seminar:
Lectures will cover a variety of health issues facing France and the European Union and the policies that are emerging to face them, including:

  • Privatization of Public Health systems
  • Regulation of medical care practices - the role of the State
  • Financial Aspects (patents, private spending, governmental expenditures)
  • Abortion, aging, teen-age pregnancy, adoption, addiction, violence
  • Common diseases, environmental health, food safety

Classes:

  • GBL HLTH 311 Health Care Systems in Europe and the US
  • GBL HLTH 312 Public Health in Europe : Issues and Policies
  • GBL HLTH 313 International Organizations and Health: A Research Seminar
  • POL SCI 364 France in the European Union
  • FRENCH 199 or 299 (2 credits)

Additional Information

The program includes:
  • Public Health Seminars (2 credits)
  • Supervised Research in Public Health
  • Research at Institut Curie (for selected students)
  • Field excursions to WHO (Geneva), EU sites, hospital, health agencies
  • Introductory course: 'France and the EU'
  • On-site French language training (2 credits)
  • A total of six credits for the program

Housing

Students may choose housing either in an international dormitory or home-stays with Parisian families.

Program Costs

Fall 2009: $21,640

  • This includes the estimated cost of tuition, room, board, books, transportation and personal expenses.  Students participating in Public Health Studies are exempt from the Study Abroad Administrative Fee.

Application Requirements

Prior to receiving an application, all Northwestern students must complete the following steps:
  1. Complete the mandatory Study Abroad 101 Quiz on Blackboard. E-mail studyabroad@northwestern.edu (include your name and netID) to register for this quiz.
  2. After receiving a score of 90% or above, students can pick up the Northwestern University Application for Permission to Study Abroad at the Study Abroad Office. This application is not available online.
Northwestern students must complete two applications for this program:
  1. An IPD application. Call International Program Development at 847-467-7834 or e-mail international@northwestern.edu to first set up a personal interview - as this is required as the first step towards application.
  2. The Northwestern University Application for Permission to Study Abroad.

Contact Returnees

Northwestern students may enter this section of the site for a list of students who participated in this program.