Programs in Canada

• Minimum GPA: 2.5
• Class standing: Sophomore, Junior, Senior
• Restrictions: None, open to all SUNY students

Chicoutimi has one of the highest concentrations of native French-speakers in North America, making it the most ideal setting for those of you who are serious about being immersed in the French language to become fluent. As a student at Chicoutimi you will have the opportunity to live and communicate daily with the 5,000 Francophone students who attend classes every semester. The Language and Québec Culture School at the University of Québec at Chicoutimi (UQAC) has a long-standing relationship with SUNY Plattsburgh, and several other institutions in the US. The Language and Culture school was founded in 1974. Its impressive reputation has been built upon a foundation of quality and excellence in teaching as well as offering students a truly immersive experience through various cultural and social activities.

Chicoutimi, where UQAC is located, is the fourth largest city in Québec. It is located approximately two hours north of Quebec City by car, or six hours northeast of Plattsburgh by car. The region is known for its rugged beauty and wilderness. The nearby Lake St. Jean and Saguenay fjords, especially, attract thousands of tourists annually. Our students have always found Chicoutimi and its people to be warm, friendly and eager to share their language and culture with them. For more information about things to do in Chicoutimi and Saguenay, please visit: Saguenay Tourism and Trip Advisor

To learn more about a day in the life at UQAC, please watch this video.

The Semester French Program at Chicoutimi is worth 12–15 undergraduate credits in French language courses. Prior to your arrival, you will take an online placement exam, which is meant to group you into classes with others who have similar French proficiency as you. For a list of course descriptions, please visit Chicoutimi’s website: Fall semesters and Spring (winter) semesters.

Students can choose to either live on campus or have UQAC arrange a family homestay. UQAC highly recommends that you stay with a host family in order to regularly practice your French language skills and reinforce what you learn in the classroom. This way you will not only speak French, but you will live it!

If you decide that you do not want to live on campus or with a local family, then you will have to look for an apartment in Chicoutimi on your own. Unfortunately, SUNY Plattsburgh and UQAC cannot help you find an apartment. If you do choose a host family, then UQAC will put you in contact with a local family. You will pay for room and board directly to the family, and not through SUNY Plattsburgh or UQAC.

Please refer to the budget sheet below to review a detailed cost estimate for this program.

Students who are currently receiving financial aid should contact the financial aid office at SUNY Plattsburgh or on on their home campus to inquire about the possibility of receiving aid for their applicable semester of study.

All students who participate in the semester program at the University of Quebec at Chicoutimi (UQAC) will be enrolled in a mandatory health insurance policy offered by United Health Care (UHC).

For more information please view our brochure

UQAC Cost Estimate-Spring 2020

Apply to the University of Québec at Chicoutimi program

• Minimum GPA: 3.0
• Class standing: Sophomore, Junior, Senior
• Restrictions: Plattsburgh applicants only

• Locations: Various, Canada
• Program terms: Academic year, fall, spring
• Restrictions: Plattsburgh applicants only
• Budget sheets: Fall, Spring

Participating in the Killam Fellowship exchange was one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had. I went to Memorial University of Newfoundland and took classes in subjects that are not offered in Plattsburgh, some of which changed the focus of my academic interests. It was interesting taking classes with professors and students I was unfamiliar with, and being surrounded by new perspectives at Memorial offered me an opportunity to explore my identity in an academic and international context.

Being in the city of St. Johns was a cultural experience that was, in itself, worth the trip. I had an amazing time with all of the friends I made and have relationships that will last throughout my life. Since the exchange, I have even gone back to Newfoundland and intend on spending much more time there in the future.

From a financial standpoint, the exchange offers a generous scholarship which meant that I didn’t have to take out Federal Loans for that semester, and since I was receiving aid in the form of grants and scholarships already, the reward was more than enough for the exchange to pay for itself.

Another small plus is that the recognition gained from participating in this exchange is a nice feather to have in your cap (it looks good on academic resumes). All in all, I would highly recommend that anyone who wants the experience of travel abroad and an academic challenge apply for a Killam Fellowship. — Ivan Carlson, Killam Fellow, 2015–2016

The Killam Fellowship Program offers SUNY Plattsburgh students the opportunity to study at one of several prestigious Canadian universities for either a semester or academic year. The program offers a cash award of up to $10,000 per academic year ($5,000 per semester) that helps to offset the cost of attendance.

Students are also allowed to apply for a mobility grant to undertake educational field trips such as attending a conference, etc. For more information about the program and the various Canadian universities that participate, please visit our website and watch this video.

Since there are several Canadian universities that participate in the Killam Fellowship Program it is important that you check prior to applying to ensure that your preferred host campus offers coursework related to your major at SUNY Plattsburgh. For more information regarding courses available through the program, please visit the Killam Fellowships website and click on your university of choice to access their course information.

Housing options will vary from one university to another. Please refer to the Killam website for more information.

Students with physical or learning disabilities, should contact the Global Education Office to find out more about the specific services available.

Financing a study abroad program is one of the most important aspects to consider before applying. Please refer to the budget sheets at the top of this web page to review a detailed cost estimate for the program, which includes costs you are billed for through SUNY Plattsburgh, as well as those you must plan for, but pay directly, such as a flight and accommodation. Estimates are subject to change at any time. If you have questions about the estimate, please contact the Global Education Office.

Financial aid in the form of scholarships, aid (NYS TAP, etc.), and loans, may be applied to study abroad programs. It is important that you visit the financial aid office at your home campus to discuss your eligibility prior to applying. Please share the cost estimate for your program with your financial aid office. Please note all students participating in a Plattsburgh program are automatically enrolled and billed for a SUNY international health insurance policy through United Health Care (UHC).

For more information on the policy, please check our brochure

The Killam Fellowship Program is competitive and therefore not all applicants will be selected for an exchange. Additionally, all students who apply should have up to three Canadian universities in mind that they would like to attend as not all selected students are admitted to their first choice university. For additional information about the application and selection process please contact the Global Education Office.

As a U.S citizen, you do NOT need a study permit if you plan to take a course or program in Canada that lasts six months or less. You must have a valid passport with an expiration date of no sooner than six months after the end of your program. You must also be able to provide satisfactory evidence to an immigration officer that you do intend to leave Canada after the conclusion of your study abroad program. You must also be in good health and meed criminal admissibility requirements. If you have committed or been convicted of a criminal offense, you may not be allowed to enter Canada. For more information regarding how criminal convictions can affect your ability to enter Canada, please visit the Government of Canada's website.

You are ultimately responsible for finding out whether or not you will need a visa for the duration of your studies in Canada. Visit the Government of Canada for more information regarding student visa requirements and the application process

Application Deadline

• December 1 for the subsequent year

Apply to the Killam Fellowship program