Scholarship Opportunities
CEPA Foundation
Before Going Abroad
Personal Advising and Support
Yes, you require a French “Long Sejour” Visa to participate in this program. The turnaround time for the French The Visa application process can take up to two months to successfully complete.
You are advised to begin your Campus France Application ASAP to initiate the Visa Application process and ensure that you will be able to join the semester program without delay.
Visit the Campus France website to begin the application process.
Helpful Links:
- Campus France & Etudes En France Application Process: https://www.usa.campusfrance.org/application-overview
- Etudes En France guidelines: https://www.usa.campusfrance.org/system/files/medias/documents/2022-03/Etudes%20en%20France%20Guide%202022-2023%20_0.pdf
- VISA Application: https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en_US/web/france-visas/
- VISA Guidelines: https://www.usa.campusfrance.org/system/files/medias/documents/2022-03/Student%20visa%20appointment%20guidelines%202022-2023.pdf
Online Account and App
For stays in Europe less than 90 days, US citizens can usually enter Europe on a tourist visa.
As of May 2025, the ETIAS visa is planned to be required for entry to the Schengen Zone, even for short-term (less than 90 days) travel. The cost of the ETIAS visa is on their website and the turnaround time for approval about 3 days. You may apply for this no later than three-days before your departure from your country of origin. We recommend applying for the ETIAS upon acceptance to the Summer Leadership Program.
Learn more about the ETIAS visa by visiting the European Union website.
Past ESC Students
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Social Media
Instagram and Facebook
Student Visa Assistance
Yes, you require a French “Long Sejour” Visa to participate in this program. The turnaround time for the French The Visa application process can take up to two months to successfully complete.
You are advised to begin your Campus France Application ASAP to initiate the Visa Application process and ensure that you will be able to join the semester program without delay.
Visit the Campus France website to begin the application process.
Helpful Links:
- Campus France & Etudes En France Application Process: https://www.usa.campusfrance.org/application-overview
- Etudes En France guidelines: https://www.usa.campusfrance.org/system/files/medias/documents/2022-03/Etudes%20en%20France%20Guide%202022-2023%20_0.pdf
- VISA Application: https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en_US/web/france-visas/
- VISA Guidelines: https://www.usa.campusfrance.org/system/files/medias/documents/2022-03/Student%20visa%20appointment%20guidelines%202022-2023.pdf
Scholarships and Grants
For stays in Europe less than 90 days, US citizens can usually enter Europe on a tourist visa.
As of May 2025, the ETIAS visa is planned to be required for entry to the Schengen Zone, even for short-term (less than 90 days) travel. The cost of the ETIAS visa is on their website and the turnaround time for approval about 3 days. You may apply for this no later than three-days before your departure from your country of origin. We recommend applying for the ETIAS upon acceptance to the Summer Leadership Program.
Learn more about the ETIAS visa by visiting the European Union website.
24-hour Emergency Assistance
While in Strasbourg, France
Exclusive Services for Students at the Château de Pourtalès
Getting your first passport
Congratulations on getting your first passport!
Start as possible with your passport or visa application so that it will not impact your ability to arrive on-time for the study abroad program. As of July 2022, the processing times can take up to 11 weeks. View current passport processing times
Since this is your first passport, you will need to visit a Passport Acceptance Facility to apply in-person.
Renewing your passport
Please visit travel.state.gov for more information about obtaining a new passport or renewing an old passport. You are encouraged to apply for or renew your passport as soon as possible so that any delays with your passport or visa application will not impact your ability to arrive on-time for the study abroad program. Passport applications and renewals are estimated to take between 6-8 weeks. Apply or renew ASAP.
Please note that if you were issued a passport before your 16th birthday and this is the first passport that you will recieve with 10-year validity, you will need to apply in-person at a Passport Acceptance Facility. If you were older than the age of 16 when your most recent 10-year validity passport was issued and are eligible to complete a passport renewal, you may apply for a renewal per mail.
Find a Passport Acceptance Facility near you.
Begin the passport application or renewal process at travel.state.gov
Other passport questions
The National Passport Information Center hotline and State Department website should be able to answer most of your questions in regards to your passport application or renewal. If you still need help, let us know!
Track the status of your passport here.
Email the National Passport Information Center
Call the National Passport Information Center: 1-877-487-2778
Toggle Title
| Included in the ESC Semester Program in Strasbourg, France | program | |
| Pre-departure services | yes | |
| Comprehensive advising | ||
| Visa assistance | yes | |
| Free App customized for ESC | yes | no |
| Free to apply to the program | yes | |
| Scholarships | yes | |
| Nature positive climate neutral program | yes | |
| Arrival | ||
| Airport transfer | yes | |
| Orientation | ||
| Housing and daily breakfast at the Chateau de Pourtales Dorm style accommodation with twin rooms and shared bathrooms 18th century French castle surrounded by large nature park | yes, room guaranteed at the ESC | You must arrange on your own housing |
| Internet | yes | You must arrange your own internet contract |
| Electricity | yes | |
| Breakfast Full buffet-style French breakfast provided every morning | yes, daily buffet | Meal plan or groceries extra |
| French language crash course | yes | |
| Public transportation pass | ||
| Courses | Yes | Yes |
| Emergency assistance for health or medical needs | yes | |
| Weekend excursions | yes | |
| Activities | yes | |
| Special events | yes | |
| Trip to Paris or Brussels | yes | |
| Student Ambassador program | yes | |
| Free laundry facilities | yes | no |
| Free computer room | ||
| Student kitchen | ||
| On-The-Ground Support and Assistance Accessible and friendly on-site staff 24/7 emergency service and support Pre and post-departure assistance Dedicated coordinator and helpful ESC Center staff | ||
| Excursions, Field Trips, and Immersive Learning Opportunities 3-Day excursion to Paris, France or Brussels, Belgium Guided tours and professional visits to European institutions and international businesses Multiple excursions and visits to companies and cities in France and Germany | ||
| Two courses (3 credits each) at the Chateau Multiple guest lectures addressing international relations, business, peace-building, and communications | ||
| professional development opportunities throuout the semester | ||
| Invited to participate in the renowned Castle Talks which are part of the Jean Monnet Center of Excellence and the Jean Monnet Chairs of European Integration and EU Law at Sciences Po Strasbourg. | ||
Free laundry use
Free weekly yoga classes (semester students)
Free internet
4
After Returning Home
Getting your first passport
Congratulations on getting your first passport!
Start as possible with your passport or visa application so that it will not impact your ability to arrive on-time for the study abroad program. As of July 2022, the processing times can take up to 11 weeks. View current passport processing times
Since this is your first passport, you will need to visit a Passport Acceptance Facility to apply in-person.
Renewing your passport
Please visit travel.state.gov for more information about obtaining a new passport or renewing an old passport. You are encouraged to apply for or renew your passport as soon as possible so that any delays with your passport or visa application will not impact your ability to arrive on-time for the study abroad program. Passport applications and renewals are estimated to take between 6-8 weeks. Apply or renew ASAP.
Please note that if you were issued a passport before your 16th birthday and this is the first passport that you will recieve with 10-year validity, you will need to apply in-person at a Passport Acceptance Facility. If you were older than the age of 16 when your most recent 10-year validity passport was issued and are eligible to complete a passport renewal, you may apply for a renewal per mail.
Find a Passport Acceptance Facility near you.
Begin the passport application or renewal process at travel.state.gov
Other passport questions
The National Passport Information Center hotline and State Department website should be able to answer most of your questions in regards to your passport application or renewal. If you still need help, let us know!
Track the status of your passport here.
Email the National Passport Information Center
Call the National Passport Information Center: 1-877-487-2778
Compare Programs
ESC Strasbourg vs. Direct Enrollment
| Included in the ESC Semester Program in Strasbourg, France | Direct Enrollment Program | |
| Pre-departure services | yes | yes |
| Comprehensive advising | yes | |
| Visa assistance | yes | yes |
| Free App customized for ESC | yes | no |
| Free to apply to the program | yes | no |
| Scholarships | yes | no |
| Nature positive climate neutral program | yes | no |
| Arrival | ||
| Airport transfer | yes | You arrange your own airport transfer |
| Orientation | yes | yes |
| Housing and daily breakfast at the Chateau de Pourtales Dorm style accommodation with twin rooms and shared bathrooms 18th century French castle surrounded by large nature park | yes, room guaranteed at the ESC | You arrange on your own housing |
| Internet | yes | You must arrange your own internet contract |
| Electricity | yes | |
| Breakfast Full buffet-style French breakfast provided every morning | yes, daily buffet | Meal plan or groceries extra |
| French language crash course | yes | |
| Public transportation pass | ||
| Courses | Yes | Yes |
| Emergency assistance for health or medical needs | yes | |
| Weekend excursions | yes | |
| Activities | yes | |
| Special events | yes | |
| Trip to Paris or Brussels | yes | |
| Student Ambassador program | yes | |
| Free laundry facilities | yes | no |
| Free computer room | ||
| Student kitchen | ||
| On-The-Ground Support and Assistance Accessible and friendly on-site staff 24/7 emergency service and support Pre and post-departure assistance Dedicated coordinator and helpful ESC Center staff | ||
| Excursions, Field Trips, and Immersive Learning Opportunities 3-Day excursion to Paris, France or Brussels, Belgium Guided tours and professional visits to European institutions and international businesses Multiple excursions and visits to companies and cities in France and Germany | ||
| Two courses (3 credits each) at the Chateau Multiple guest lectures addressing international relations, business, peace-building, and communications | ||
| professional development opportunities throuout the semester | ||
| Invited to participate in the renowned Castle Talks which are part of the Jean Monnet Center of Excellence and the Jean Monnet Chairs of European Integration and EU Law at Sciences Po Strasbourg. | ||
