Ivy Tech Community College–Northeast will host 15 students from the University of Lille’s SKEMA Business School (Lille, France) from the country of France who will participate in a Three Module Cultural Experience. These modules include an intensive English as a Second Language course, concentrated study of U.S. Business culture, and a four-week job shadowing opportunity. Students will also participate in company tours, cultural events, and social activities.

“This experience will provide French students an opportunity to experience American business culture right here in northeast Indiana,” said Andrea Robinson Hinsey, dean of the School of Business.

Local companies participating:

• 80/20
• Arbor Mortgage
• Asher Agency
• Bad Dad Custom Motorcycle Finishes
• Briljent
• CVC Communications
• ESCO Communications
• Fort Wayne Metals
• Greater Fort Wayne Chamber
• Holiday Inn
• Indiana Benefits Recovery
• Lincoln Financial Group
• Northeast Indiana Innovation Center
• Parkview Health
• Sweetwater Sound
• Quadrant
• Vera Bradley

Students will arrive on the evening of April 1, at the Fort Wayne International Airport and will reside in Fort Wayne through June 30. The French Government is covering the majority of the expenses, including housing, transportation, and cost of the curriculum. Students are responsible for their own food and spending money during their stay in Fort Wayne.

In November 2010, Ivy Tech Community College–Northeast met with representatives from France to discuss this potential educational and cultural immersion of French students in Fort Wayne and at Ivy Tech–Northeast.

For additional information about this cultural immersion project with France, contact Andrea Robinson Hinsey, dean of the School of Business, at 260-480-4269 or arobinso@ivytech.edu.