F.A.Q. | Frequently Asked Questions

Academic informations | Schedule

The in-person program model schedule (the placement of activity may change during the program, but the hours indicated here will be roughly the same)

All students must be present at all time during the program class and activities. (Except for the optional activities).

  • Class: 8:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and the sociocultural activities run from 13:30 to 17:00 p.m. everyday. Some night activities may occur (usually optional) but most nights are free.
  • The number of students will never exceed 18 persons per class.
Placement test

What happens if I fail my Placement test?

  • It’s not possible to fail a placement test. This test is used to evaluate your knowledge of French and to place you in a group of students that are at the same level of knowledge as you are.
  • It’s important to take the test ALONE in a quiet environment, otherwise, you will be placed in the wrong class for the whole program. It will impact negatively your learning experience.
  • Remember that cheating on a placement test is cheating on yourself.
Credit transfer

Is it possible to ask for a credit transfer to my university?

  • Yes, you can ask for credit transfer at the end of the program.
  • The program offers 7 credits. However, you have to be aware that your university may recognize more or less than 7. Each university has its own protocol. The transcript to be official needs to be sent from our university to your university. The cost of the transcript is $7. You may ask for your transcript 2 weeks after the program has ended (it’s only at this time that the notes will be put in the system). The transfer of the credits is not mandotary.

Can I receive the course syllabus before the program starts?

  • No, you won’t be able to have the course syllabus before the program, even if you have already done your placement test. We need a global picture before the program in order to decide which level to offer. In order to obtain that picture, we need to wait until all students have done the placement test. Few days prior the start of the program, some teachers may contact you and you may receive the syllabus by email. But you can find the outlines here: https://www.uqac.ca/programme/9983-programme-court-dapprentissage-du-francais-ecrit-et-parle/

My university will credit the Explore program courses only if I am at an intermediate or an advance level. Can I choose my class?

  •  No. Even if you are at an advanced level in your university, it is possible that you will be placed in an intermediate or a lower level class. An immersion program is different than a regular university French class.
Skills

I need to work my writing skills, will I be able to do that during the Explore program?

  • We always work on all 4 skills (oral and writing expression and oral and writing comprehension). But, in the Explore program context, we work mostly the oral skills.
Learning disability

I have a learning disability or a health issue, may I receive some accommodations?

  • Yes of course! Contact us so we can do something for you. You will need your medical diagnostic and prescription or the accommodation letter from your university. It is mandatory that we receive all the information and documentation before the start of the program. Everything will be treated with confidentiality. Go to the web site (only available in French) and fill the form at http://sae.uqac.ca/rendezvous/. Someone will contact you.
Dates

When can I arrive?

  • Spring session dates: Monday, May 12 to Friday, June 13.
  • The arrival date is Sunday, May 11. If you plan to arrive earlier, you must make arrangement with the university residence at residences@uqac.ca, or directly with your host family.
  • The departure date can be Friday, June 13 (either after the final exam which ends at noon, or after the gala ceremony which ends around 4:00 pm) or you can also leave on Saturday, June 14. It is recommended that you attend the gala, as this is your time.

 

  • Summer session dates: Tuesday, July 1 to Friday, August 1.
  • The arrival date is Monday, June 30. If you plan to arrive earlier, you must make arrangement with the university residence at residences@uqac.ca, or directly with your host family.
  • The departure date can be Friday, August 1 (either after the final exam which ends at noon, or after the gala ceremony which ends around 4:00 pm) or you can also leave on Saturday, August 2. It is recommended that you attend the gala, as this is your time 🙂
Accommodations

Students will live on campus, in the university apartments or with a host family.

Will I be in a host family or a residence and when will I know?

  • You will be informed by our host coordinator, but we will do our best to place you according to the choice you made when you filled in your registration. If you have chosen residences/apartments, it’s garanted you will have it, however if you have chosen host family, we can’t guarantee it, because it’s first come first go.
  • If you chose the host family, our host coordinator will inform you prior to your arrival. You will receive an email with all your host family information, and you can then inform them of the date you will be arriving. The host family usually picks you up at the place where you arrive (bus station, train station, airport). If you chose the residence, you will receive an email with the procedure to claim your key.

Do any of your host family accept familes with children?

  • None of our host family or residences/apartments can accommodate families with children.

Can I change accommodation during the program?

  • Generally, no. If you have a major issue, we will see what we can do.

How are students paired with Francophone host families?

  • We take the answers you give in the registration form and pair you with a family who corresponds to your profile.

Are we placed with students of the same gender, for the residences?

  • Yes, all students in residences are paired based on their gender. For the apartments, it may be mix.
Transport
Gym

Will I have access to a gym?

  • There’s a gym on the UQAC campus. You will need to register, but you can benefit from the student rate: https://sports.uqac.ca/
Parking

How much is the parking pass?

  • The parking pass is free from May 1 to August 31
Mail - Amazon

Can I receive regular mail, or Amazon orders, etc. during the time I am in Chicoutimi?

  • Yes, you can, you need to address it like this:

“Your name”
Attention to Sophie Simard
Explore Formation continue
555, boulevard de l’Université
Chicoutimi (Québec) Canada G7H 2B1

Wifi

Is there wireless Internet connection on campus?

  • Yes, you can access it for free.  In the residence buildings internet wireless also.

Is Internet access provided with host families?

  • All families do provide Internet access.