IFE student-interns deepen the quality of their experience by accomplishing a mémoire de stage, or research paper produced step-by-step with the help of a research advisor

The guided field research paper is the culmination of the IFE semester. It is a long research paper on a topic naturally related to the focus of the internship, a topic which arises from the work of the host organization and is of interest to them as well as to the student-intern. Once they have completed their paper, students invariably recognize this part of the program for what it is: an accomplishment of which they’re justly proud, and a crucial element in their internship experience. The IFE "Mémoire de Stage" should be seen as a logical extension of the internship itself, and as a process which occurs a step at a time, under the guidance of one of IFE’s trained research advisors, who are experienced in working with IFE students to help them produce a well-structured, useful, and gratifying mémoire.

STEP BY STEP

It begins when students are given a two-hour course in French academic "methodology", or, how to develop a dissertation. They are taught how to select a topic and how to construct a thesis, or, "problématique" around it, so that the resulting paper will be analytic in nature. They also learn more about developing an outline and about what is expected in each part of the paper, as well as the conventional style points and accepted format for such a work.

After an initial time of acclimating to their internship, students begin to identify topic areas of interest to them in the work of their host organization, as well as to discuss with their internship mentor what issues the host organization would like to see treated.

The student-intern is now in touch with his or her research advisor or « tuteur » for help in topic selection and definition, and subsequently to work on developing an outline.
The tutor is also instrumental, as is the internship mentor, in identifying sources of information both within and outside of the host organization. Students meet regularly with their tutor as they research and write their paper.
Several weeks before the end of the semester, IFE organizes a series of research defense seminars, where each student has a chance to present his or her topic for 10 minutes, with 10 minutes of discussion following the presentation. This exercise proves invaluable in helping students see points in their work that need development at a moment when there is sufficient time remaining to correct and improve them.
A final version is handed in to IFE on the date due, at the end of the semester. Students easily find co-workers or other French acquaintances willing to read and correct the written French. The paper is assessed on the basis of the content more than on the fine points of French expression.
In most cases, students are able to devote some of the time spent at their internship towards the end of the semester to working on the research paper. Host organizations are aware that IFE students are required to produce a mémoire de stage and are very supportive of this part of the program.

Further information about the structure and method of the mémoire de stage is available in the Guidelines for the IFE Guided Research Project. (PDF)

BENEFITS:

Successful completion of the IFE mémoire de stage brings the following benefits, among many others:
 Student-interns are give an opportunity to reflect on the issues they are involved with daily.
 Pursuing a research topic leads student-interns into contact with new people and new sources of information.
 The written work very often represents a contribution to the host organization, in many cases meeting a need for the treatment of a certain topic, and in this way the student-intern becomes a more involved, more contributing member of the work team.
 The mémoire, and its usefulness for the host organization, become an important accomplishment which students later have to show for their time spent as an intern.

RESEARCH ADVISING TEAM

One-on-one research advising with IFE students is carried out by individuals who have been well-briefed by IFE and are experienced in how to lead IFE students towards a successful conclusion of their field study project.
Within this set there is a core group of teachers who work most often with IFE students in this capacity. At the same time, IFE calls on a wider group of professors or practitioners when expertise in a specialized field is needed.

The core group includes Anne Ruel, Anne Lamalle, Antoine Picardat, Guy Dreux, Raphaël Muller, Guillaume Blanco