ARGUS

ARGUS, the Accord of Romance Governments for University and Solidarity (Burgiognesc: Amistat Roman de Govèrns per Universitat e Solidaritat, Cartadanian: Amizade Romana dos Governos para Universidade e Solidariedade, Peackerinsian: Accordat Romancha Governementi d'Universiteti e Solidarita), is an intergovernmental program operated by the governments of Burgundie, Cartadania, Yonderre and Peackerins for international students. The program is a union of Romance countries with the goal of reinforcing cultural and linguistic characteristics. At the core of the program is international education. Virtually all international exchange students at the post-secondary level between the four nations are subject to the program which plans lodgings, food plans, language lessons, and curricular oversight for exchange students to varying degrees according to the country of origin and the educational establishment. In addition to state-funding, a portion of the program is privately funded by non-governmental organizations and the education industry.

Contents

 * 1 Etymology
 * 2 Mission
 * 3 History
 * 4 Financials
 * 5 Program in Burgundie
 * 6 Program in Cartadania
 * 7 Program in Peackerins
 * 8 Program in Yonderre
 * 9 Criticism
 * 9.1 Ethnocentrism
 * 9.2 Revenue Model

= Etymology = The acronym "ARGUS" was selected as the definition is consistent across languages. The preferred English full name, Accord of Romance Governments for University and Solidarity is an imperfect translation, but preserves the acronym and thus gained acceptance. The name is intended to convey both the focus on education (particularly post-secondary) as well as the sense of unity between Romance cultural groups. During the development of the program, creating an acronym that worked in Burgundian, Cartadanian and Peackerinsian was considered a priority and the final decision occurred somewhat late in development. The acronym is also an allusion to ancient Greco mythology as a term for a watchful guardian.

= Mission =

= History =

= Financials =

= Program in Burgundie = One of many educational foreign exchange programs in Burgundie, ARGUS is by far the most comprehensive. While most universities in Burgundie have partnered directly with individual universities and programs overseas to provide a plethora of foreign exchange offerings to their students, ARGUS is a wholesale approach, allowing access to all of the participating university programs in Burgundie, Cartadania, and [Yonderre]]. All state-run, and parochial universities have signed into the compact, with most private universities participating as well. As of the end of 2030, only those private institutions known as the Old Ivies, are not participating in the program. The remaining institutions have agreed to accept up to 3% of their total enrollment through ARGUS. Across all participating universities, this amounts to about 2,300 seats in 2-year associate degree programs, 8,000 seats a year in 4-year bachelor degree programs, 1,200 seats in masters programs, 590 seats in doctorate programs, and 22 seats in post-doctoral fellowships. While not yet directly recognized in Cartadania, a number of Burgundian trade associations have opened up their accreditation and certification application pools to Cartadanian workers as part of ARGUS.

Burgundian degrees in liberal arts and the humanities are preferred by participants in ARGUS. International business courses are also highly sought after. As part of the ARGUS agreement, international students are provided with on-campus room and board with a cultural expenses stipend in the form of a BurgenPass, a card that allows students admission to public transit, museums, performing arts venues, art galleries, libraries, churches, and archives. These passes are preloaded with $100/month during the academic year and $300/month in the off-season. In a controversial move, some bars and restaurants in large university towns have been found an exploit in the BurgenPass system, and have been able to siphon value off of the cards in exchange for food and alcohol. The Revenue Guard have started looking into these reports, but have yet to be able to build a conclusive case against these establishments.

As part of the residential programs, a prerequisite of a sufficient score in Burgundian language testing is required. For most students, this is achieved in an intensive immersion program in the summer before the start of the fall semester. A separate course for Cartadaniaans is offered, culminating in a week-long host-family stay at which time the prospective students are expected to speak only in the Burgundian language. Those who do not pass the final week are remanded to their home country with the opportunity to retry the following year. There are no limits to the number of years a student may apply, but it is assumed that after two attempts, the academic trajectory of the student would be adversely impacted and they are unlikely to be admitted. These language lessons are provided free of charge, as are room and board.

While not an official aspect of the ARGUS platform, it has been observed that immigrants from Cartadania who have participated in ARGUS, seem to maneuver through the path to citizenship in Burgundie with fewer issues.

= Program in Cartadania = While foreign exchange of students in Cartadania is common at all levels (i.e., primary, secondary, and post-secondary), the ARGUS program is a method preferred by many higher education institutions. The public universities of all 33 states, the three territories, and the capital region, as well as some private universities have implemented some form of legislation to allow students from Burgundie and Yonderre to attend their institutions to further develop their knowledge. Each state has a varying amount of seats they allot specifically to ARGUS students, ranging from 4% in the Alahuela, Bicarian Islands, and Providence, to ~1% in Cambria, Milan, and Porta Bianca. A student admitted to a public university under ARGUS is, nonetheless, considered an International student.

Students entering Cartadania are required to have some understanding of the Cartadanian language and unless the language requirement is fulfilled prior to enrollment, most students will have to take a semester or more of the language during their first year. All language course costs are covered by the university. Students admitted are held to the same standards as an Cartadanian student admitted to the same university. They are guaranteed on-campus housing for half of the time they are enrolled (depending on school, volume may only permit a year) and are placed in off-campus housing for the remainder of the time. Food expenses are covered by the student, or in cases where financial assistance is needed, by the federal government, as are books and supporting materials. Those pursuing citizenship will be provided with information and documentation from the Bureau of Immigration upon arrival.

Though not at all required and not part of ARGUS' mission, many students choose to seek citizenship, a roughly four year process now shortened to two, or dual citizenship which can be achieved in as little as six months.

= Program in Peackerins = The Peackerinsian Ministry for Education dictated that, upon the nation joining the ARGUS program foreign students would be allowed to study and work temporarily in Peackerins, in accordance to Peackerinsian law, any foreign student from one of the ARGUS countries is allowed a monthly handout of PCH2000, thus hopefully enticing them not to quit studying. Peackerinsian embassies in Yonderre, Burgundie and Cartadania are regularly looking for students who might wish to study in Peackerins. The Peackerinsian Medical University in La Serena is a world-renowned medical university; due to this, many medical students come to study medicine in the country.

If a student misbehaves, his or her VISA may be withdrawn and he/she will be asked to leave the country as soon as possible (unless medical complications get in the way).

= Program in Yonderre =

= Criticism =

Revenue Model
In Burgundie, many large industries pay into ARGUS for a first shot at the numerous Cartadaniaan and Yonderian students graduating from Burgundian universities. This provides the companies with employees with diverse experiences but with a higher educational background they know and trust.