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France

tower-sectionParis and the Champagne region – Spring  2016

March 1 through March 8, 2016

Commerce La Tech en France

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Dear Students,

As you likely have heard by now, France declared a national state of emergency last Friday night and temporary closed borders with other European nations following the horrific terrorist attacks.

We are monitoring the situation and following the US Government’s recommendations.  Dr. Babin will be in Paris December 3 – 10 and will be able to assess the overall situation including the developments over the intervening weeks.  We will focus on the level of diligence, on the general feelings of the people of France, and on any potential restrictions to visitors in Paris.

As we continue to monitor the situation in Paris, we want to let you know that our plan is to move forward with the annual study tour on March 1-8, 2016. One requirement is that at least 12 students make a deposit by this Friday, November 20.

The personal safety of our students is a priority and something we take very seriously at all times including when traveling domestically or internationally.  Please know that we enroll every traveler in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program through the US State Department so you can be located in the event of a crisis or emergency.  We also provide emergency response plans in every city with information on how to locate the American Embassy and multiple hospitals, and will include emergency and calling instructions for the group members to stay in touch with each other.

Despite these unfortunate events in Paris, we continue to plan classes with the utmost focus on safety, and will continue our efforts to provide outstanding educational travel experiences and opportunities for our students.

If you are interested in further information on Media Coverage on Terrorist Attacks, and Anxiety/Fear of Terrorism, we suggest you might follow up on these articles. This is certainly not meant to trivialize the situation, but is offered to help balance perceptions.

http://www.lexington-on-line.com/nafterrorism.htm

http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/va/fs_media_disaster.htm

Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have.

Best regards,

Dr. Babin and Dr. Moulard

 

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Cost of the trip $3250*

Faculty:

Professor Barry Babin, Ph.D.

bbabin@latech.edu

Professor Julie Moulard, Ph.D.  

jmoulard@latech.edu

 

Plans are underway for another great study abroad trip to Paris and the Champagne region this coming Spring / Quarter Break. It is not too early to begin making plans to be part of this terrific program. While it is set up primarily for School of Business  and Marketing majors, other majors are welcome.

From the newly reopened Picasso Museum to the new Frank Gehry Louis Viton Foundation headquarters, there is so much to see in in the City of Lights. The primary focus of this trip will be the marketing of luxury goods, such as champagne, and luxury brands, such as Chanel. France is the perfect setting to explore these topics.

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Commerce La Tech en France: 

La Tech Marketing Study Tour in France 

Winter 2016 – March 1 through March 8, 2016

Commerce La Tech en France is a study tour to France offered by the Louisiana Tech Marketing & Analysis Department. Students will earn three hours of credit in MKTG 485 (International Marketing) or an approved elective for participating. The study tour includes a one-week trip to France during the 2016 Winter/Spring quarter break (March 1 through March 8, 2016) and five class sessions on the La Tech campus prior to departure. Students will register for the course during 2015/2016 Winter quarter.

Purpose 

Commerce La Tech en France will introduce students to France’s culture and business practices, specifically France’s consumer culture and marketing systems. The program will focus on the differences between the values, beliefs, and attitudes of French consumers versus those of U.S. consumers and how these affect purchase behavior and customer satisfaction and loyalty. Additionally, students will be exposed to differences in marketing customs between France and the U.S., such as distinctions in advertising, retailing, pricing, customer service, and product offerings.

Educational Value 

The study tour provides an opportunity to study first hand marketing and business outside the United States with a particular emphasis on the E.U. and especially France. Students will gain

an appreciation of French culture and business practices by attending lectures by faculty from La Tech, IESEG School of Management (Paris), and NEOMA Business School (Reims, France) and by French marketing/management executives. Tours to French companies will expose students to different approaches. Students will also be exposed to differences in French and U.S. marketing practices by participating as consumers themselves. Here, students will observe differences in services customs and differences in consumer rituals by keeping a diary. This study tour will be particularly valuable to students who are constrained by finances and time since this study tour challenges students with an intensive schedule (allowing relatively low cost) compared to other study tour programs – particularly those with corporate arrangements.

Study Tour Structure 

La Tech faculty members will hold five two-hour sessions on the La Tech campus prior to the tour. During the trip, students will participate in company visits, lectures on topics such as French culture and history and luxury goods marketing, and debriefing sessions with La Tech faculty members. Students will be allowed free time during most evenings and some afternoons to explore Paris and Reims on their own. Upon completion of the trip, students will complete a diary. Note that students will receive an incomplete for the course until their diaries are graded.

Special Activities 

Special activities include (1) company visits to some of the top French companies with presentations by executives in each case, such as Treves, Bon Marche’, one of France’s largest department stores, and Veauve Cliquot, a renowned champagne house and one of the largest companies in the region; (2) city tours of Paris and Reims; (3) Seine dinner cruise; (4) special dinner at a traditional French restaurant; (5) a visit to a small village agricultural cooperative; (6) a visit to a family-owned retail store to get the small business perspective; (7) interaction with business students at two French universities—IÉSEG School of Management (Paris) and NEOMA Business School (Reims); (8) visits to historic sites including the Rendition Museum (WWII surrender site), Cathedral de Notre Dame au Reims and le Palais du Tau (learn the history of the French monarchy transition of the monarchy to the republic).

Price 

* The price of the trip is $3250, which includes roundtrip airfare, hotel, airport transfers, transportation between Paris and Reims, breakfasts, some lunches, tours in Paris and Reims, Seine dinner cruise, 1 dinner, company visits, and travel insurance (medical and trip interruption). This price does not include tuition, most lunches and dinners, and free time activities and optional excursions.

Eligibility 

Undergraduate students must have completed 60 hours and have a 2.5 GPA. Graduate students must have a 2.5 GPA.

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From the 2015 trip:

Commerce La Tech en France:

The third annual Commerce La Tech en France Study Tour took place March 3-10, 2015, and visited the French cities of Paris and Reims, the champagne capital. Drs. Barry Babin and Julie Moulard, both in the Department of Marketing & Analysis, led the trip. Thirteen students participated, 12 females and 1 male. Most of the students were business majors; however, students from other majors, such as fashion merchandising, history, and communications, also participated.

 

Tues., March 3 Fly from Monroe to Paris
Wed., March 4 Arrive in Paris
TGV to Reims
Tour of Cathedral Notre-Dame de Reims and Palais du Tau
Welcome Dinner at Brasserie du Boulingrin
Thurs. March 5 Champagne Industry Lecture by NEOMA Profesor Dr. David Menival
Lunch at NEOMA Business School
Tour of Pommery Champagne House
TGV to Paris
Fri., March 6 Visit Lesage (embroidery supplier to luxury brand Chanel)
Lunch at IÉSEG School of Management with IÉSEG students
Wine & Cheese Tasting presented by IÉSEG professor
Sat., March 7 Tour of Louvres, Notre Dame, Pont Neuf, Pont des Arts and St. Chapelle by an IÉSEG professor
Free time in afternoon
Sun., March 8 Free time during the day
Seine Dinner Cruise on Bateau Parisiens
Mon., March 9 Luxury Marketing lecture by IÉSEG professor Dr. Gwarlann de Kerviler
Free time in afternoon
Tues., March 10 Fly from Paris to Monroe

Student Testimonials 

“The trip truly is a trip of a lifetime. I would recommend this trip to any and everybody. I enjoyed so many things about this trip, and I constantly wish that I was back in Paris watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle every night.”

“Overall, this trip was an awesome once in a lifetime experience. We had awesome activities set up for us, but also had time to explore on our own. Maybe we just got lucky but the other students involved that I didn’t know before the first day of class are part of what made this trip so amazing.”

“This trip was one of the best things I have done in college. I learned so much and had my eyes opened to the world outside of America.”

“The trip was a wonderful experience, and I made memories that will last a lifetime… I am glad that I took the opportunity to take this trip, and I hope that others who have the slightest desire to travel abroad will take this opportunity to be introduced to the rest of the world. As for the marketing aspect, I found many cultural differences that were eye-opening. There really is a culture shock involved with traveling abroad, and it was wonderful to experience that first-hand.”

“I really enjoyed the trip! From meeting other business students to learning from professionals who are so enthusiastic about their product and the global market. I learned so much! I only wish we could have stayed longer!!”

“I think the trip was a great experience. I got the chance to learn and experience a culture that is very different from my own and I learned to appreciate France for its traditions. I would recommend this trip to anyone who is looking for an eye-opening and enriching experience.”

“Upon returning from this trip, I feel more informed and have a better understanding of this foreign culture. I’m so thankful for this experience, I will cherish these memories for the rest of my life!”

“I had a great experience on this trip! I got closer to some of the people in the group and getting to see the French culture was amazing! I would go back in a heartbeat.”

Application Process 

Students interested in going on the trip should complete these first five steps as soon as possible:

1. Email Dr. Julie Moulard at jmoulard@latech.edu to indicate your interest in the trip and to set up an appointment for a brief meeting.

2. Complete the online application at http://survey.az1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_etVOnwtmjjcqMVD

You will need to submit your passport number, so have that handy when completing this form. If you do not yet have a passport, skip that question; you can provide your number to Dr. Moulard once you have received your passport.

3. Submit a non-refundable $500 deposit by November 20. a. You can drop off a check made out to the Louisiana Tech Foundation to Ms. Julia Callaway, the administrative assistant in the Marketing & Analysis Department (College of Business Building 348).

b. Or you can pay by credit card in person or over the phone by calling Ms. Callaway at 318- 257-4012.

4. Register for MKTG 485 (International Marketing, Section 051) for the Winter quarter. Once you have paid, Ms. Callaway will provide to you a drop/add form with her signature. You will then bring this form to the registrar’s office. You will not be able to registrar for the class online, as this class requires a signature. Also, you will only be given the signed drop/add form after you have paid your deposit.

5. Students who do not already have a passport or whose passport has expired should apply or renew their passport immediately by going to the following website: http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/passports/forms.html

6. Submit the remaining payment of $2750 by Friday, January 8 to Ms. Callaway in the Marketing & Analysis Department.

 

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If you are working with the Financial Aid Office. Contact Pat Elmore at pelmore@latech.edu for more information. Start early!