Saint Mary’s partner university in France, GEM Alpine Business School (formerly Grenoble Ecole de Management), is offering summer programs. Visit the French Alps this summer for an immersive learning experience and study at a top eight triple accredited French Business School!
Summer Program for Undergraduate Students
Course 1: Sustainability Transition in International Business (3ECTS)
Course 2: Social Responsibility in International Business (5ECTS)
Dates: June 22-July 3, 2026
Tuition: 1875 euros payable to the host institution
Eligibility: Undergraduate students having completed at least 2 years of study in any discipline; proficiency in English
Language of instruction: English
Accommodation: see flyer for prices and options
Summer Program for Graduate Students
Course 1: AI/Python fundamentals (3ECTS)
Course 2: AI Business Case Hackathon (5ECTS)
Dates: June 29-July 13, 2026
Tuition: 3,500 euros payable to the host institution (discount available for SMU students)
Eligibility: Enrolled in a Master’s program or in final year of a Bachelor’s program; proficiency in English
Language of instruction: English
Accommodation: see flyer for prices and options
Fees and costs
SMU students pay for tuition and accommodation at the host institution.
Travel, travel insurance, immigration application costs (if applicable), meals, local transportation, personal expenses, etc. are also each participating student’s responsibility. A $100 SMU Study abroad admin fee will be charged on banner.
Canadian passport holders and those who hold citizenship from countries eligible for a visa-free entry may enter France without a visa for the duration of the program. If a visa is required, the host university will provide the necessary supporting documents for your visa application. Note: please consider the costs of applying for a visa; it may be necessary for those who need a visa to travel to a visa processing centre in another Canadian city to apply in person, so budget accordingly. Please see the Immigration section below.
Transfer credits
Students may be able to earn credits to the extent that those credits are applicable to the program requirements of their SMU degree. Meet with your academic advisor of your program or your graduate program coordinator to see if any of your remaining degree requirements can be completed at another university. If your advisor confirms that there is room for transfer credits in your degree, you will request approval to take courses for transfer credits by submitting a Letter of Permission Request Form (found here https://www.smu.ca/academics/student-forms.html) and course descriptions to the SMU Academic Advising Office as soon as your acceptance is confirmed. Typically, 3credit hours at SMU is earned for each 6 ECTS credits given at European partner schools. However, discuss the course detail (found on the website) with your academic advisor so that they can review the instructional hours, learning outcomes, etc. to determine if SMU credits can be considered.
Funding
Limited funding ($500 on average) may be available. Students who are accepted to the program will be invited to request funding.
Immigration:
Citizens of certain countries are required to apply for a visa before entering Finland, while visas are waived for others. Questions related to immigration should be directed to the French government’s France-Visas website (https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en-US/web/france-visas/) and VFS Global (https://visa.vfsglobal.com/can/en/fra/).
How to apply
Interested students should submit the SMU Exchange Program application* by March 15 2026 to the Global Learning Office.
*To complete your application, you will:
fill out your Study Abroad Application (https://studio.smu.ca/s/StudyAbroadApplication2021.pdf)
write a one-page letter of intent. (Tip: book an appointment with The Writing Centre or ask if personal statement workshops are coming up https://studio.smu.ca/wc-student-tutoring)
print in pdf your unofficial transcript from banner
prepare your resume, and
secure two references (one must be from a SMU professor of one of your courses) – referees can email their letters directly to Global@smu.ca. Alternatively, they can email Miyuki.arai@smu.ca to inquire.
Once you have all four pieces of application documents (except for references), upload them at the application link here https://smuniversity.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_55UpfboKu5sImUe.
What happens after you apply?
Once your application package is received, the Global Learning Office will be in touch to schedule a short interview. If you are selected, 1) you will be nominated to the host university by the SMU Global Learning Office and 2) you will be instructed to complete a set of applications for the host university by the end of March. Once the host university accepts you into the program, they will provide all program-related information as well as instruction for the payment of the fees. You will also be expected to attend our pre-departure orientation meetings.
Questions?
Email the Global Learning Office (Global@smu.ca or Miyuki.arai@smu.ca).
