Overview
Britain and France have been indispensable allies for American national intelligence and security efforts throughout the post-war era. Over the course of these three weeks of curated tours and meetings with guest speakers from the University of Warwick, NATO, the Sorbonne and other institutions, students will deepen their understanding of Western European national security norms and institutions. Beginning with a visit to Normandy to witness the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion, we will continue to Paris to study the impacts of the Occupation and the underground French Resistance. Next, we will travel to Coventry to attend guest lectures at the University of Warwick; from here, we will proceed to London with tours of the Imperial War Museum, Churchill War Rooms, Military Intelligence Museum, and Bletchley Park.
Eligibility
Minimum GPA- 2.0
Must be a Sophomore, Junior, or Senior
Application Deadline February 1, 2024
Final Confirmation Deadline- February 8, 2024
Program Dates: June 3, 2024 – June 22, 2024
Academics
- Credit will be granted for coursework and travel and will be issued by UNC Charlotte
- The international experience supplements the applicable UNC Charlotte course and students must complete all requirements for both the class and the travel component
- All participants will receive UNC Charlotte academic credit for this program – it is not possible to audit the course(s) or participate in a non-credit seeking capacity
- This program only offers credit for the course(s) described in the next section – participants may receive credit for these pre-approved offerings only
- Students will receive A-F grades for all courses taken abroad
- All grades from abroad will count towards students’ cumulative GPA
- Students must be present for all required program activities, including any class sessions held before or after the travel component
Schedule
| Date | Activity |
| Monday, June 3 | Depart the U.S. |
| Tuesday, June 4 | Arrive in Paris, France Coach bus to Normandy; Health and Safety Orientation en route Arrive at accommodations in Caen; free time to settle in and explore for rest of the day |
| Wednesday, June 5 | Breakfast at hotel included Memorial of Caen museum tour Welcome dinner |
| Thursday, June 6 | Breakfast at hotel included Self-guided tour of the American Cemetery and Omaha Beach Self-guided tour of Pointe-du-Hoc Remainder of day is free |
| Friday, June 7 | Breakfast at hotel included Transfer by private coach to Paris Check in to Parisian accommodation Faculty lecture: Introducing French Resistance |
| Saturday, June 8 | Breakfast at hotel included Self-guided tour of the Musée de l’Armée Self-guided tour of the Musée de l’Ordre de la Libération Remainder of day is free |
| Sunday, June 9 | Breakfast at hotel included Free day to explore Paris! |
| Monday, June 10 | Breakfast at hotel included Musée de la liberation de Paris U.S. Embassy visit |
| Tuesday, June 11 | Breakfast at hotel included Guided tour of Fort Mont-Valerian Visit to Suresnes Cemetery Self-guided tour of the Musée d’Orsay |
| Wednesday, June 12 | Breakfast at hotel included Train to London Coach transport from London to Coventry Check in to accommodations Remainder of day is free |
| Thursday, June 13 | Breakfast included University of Warwick guest lectures and conference Remainder of day is free |
| Friday, June 14 | Breakfast included University of Warwick guest lectures and conference Remainder of day is free |
| Saturday, June 15 | Breakfast included Visit to Blenheim Palace Remainder of day is free |
| Sunday, June 16 | Breakfast included Free day to explore Coventry |
| Monday, June 17 | Breakfast included Coach transport to London Check in to accommodations Self-guided tour of the British Museum |
| Tuesday, June 18 | Breakfast at hotel included Self-guided tour of the Churchill War Rooms Self-guided tour of the Imperial War Museum |
| Wednesday, June 19 | Breakfast at hotel included Self-guided tour of Bletchley Park, the top-secret center of British code-breaking during WWII Self-guided tour of the Military Intelligence Museum |
| Thursday, June 20 | Breakfast at hotel included Free day to explore London |
| Friday, June 21 | Breakfast at hotel included Self-guided tour of the Royal Air Force (RAF) Museum Final free time in London Farewell Dinner |
| Saturday, June 22 | Breakfast at hotel included Guided visit to the Palace of Westminster Program ends in London Return to United States |
Housing
Accommodations will be provided throughout the program. Rooms will be Students responsible for identifying housing/not included in program and have Students responsible for identifying housing/not included in program. This cost is included in the program fee.
Student Housing in Birmingham (to be provided by the University of Warwick – 3 nights)
Hotel in London (7 nights): St. Giles Hotel (includes Wi-Fi and breakfast, ironing room facilities, and a discount to the London YMCA)
Hotel in Caen (2 nights):
TBD – Near City Center (to include Wi-Fi and breakfast)
Hotel in Paris (6 nights):
TBD – Near City Center (to include Wi-Fi and breakfast)
Specific accommodations and facilities are subject to change depending on availability.
Costs and payment
Participating students will receive $5,000 each in grant money to defray costs associated with this program. The full program fee for this program is $7,990.00 without the grant.
Contacts – Faculty Directors
Assistant Professor
Department of Political Science and Public Administration
j.preston.miller@charlotte.edu
Fretwell 435B
Program Coordinator I Intelligence Community Center for Academic Excellence (IC CAE)