Coastal Carolina University has signed an agreement to partner with the École Supérieure du Commerce Extérieur (ESCE), a French university based in Paris that specializes in international business and management. The agreement establishes student exchange programs and encourages faculty collaboration. The program will begin with the 2007 fall semester.

According to the agreement, each semester both institutions will exchange up to 10 students, who will take courses in their area of study. Eligible students must have completed at least two years of studies at their home institution and have sufficient language knowledge. Exchange students will be required, when possible, to live on campus at the respective host institutions.

Founded in 1968, ESCE specializes in training students for careers in international business, with emphasis on such areas as management, communication and information management.

"We started working with ESCE by taking CCU students there during our international study program in May 2006, and found the facilities, faculty, staff and location to be outstanding," said Darla Domke-Damonte, associate professor of management and international programs liaison for the Wall College of Business, who coordinated the crafting of the agreement. "ESCE is one of the members of the Consortium of International Double Degrees (CIDD), which promotes the development of quality international exchange and dual degree programs in business. Coastal Carolina University is the only North American member of CIDD."