FRENCH AND FRANCOPHONE STUDIES
The French and Francophone Studies program enthusiastically encourages majors and minors to study in France or in a Francophone country. Spending a summer, semester, or year abroad provides students with an invaluable opportunity to drastically improve their fluency in French, expand their academic and cultural horizons, meet lifelong friends, and become more resourceful and independent.
French majors should begin the study abroad advising process as early as possible to make study abroad fit into the four-year curriculum. Tell your academic advisor that you are interested in study abroad at each registration appointment. Together, identify the best terms to go abroad, for summer or semester, based on the courses in your four-year-plan.
Specific things to consider:
- Complete at least FFS 1131 so you can take full advantage of the academic, social, and professional opportunities available while overseas. This will give you the necessary linguistic skills to successfully engage in courses and internships pursued within the French-speaking world.
- If you are double majoring, it is critical that you discuss study abroad with your advisor to ensure the proper time to go overseas for both majors.
- Students can take no more than two courses towards their French major during a summer program, and up to three courses towards their French major during a semester program.
Search the OEA Course Approval History database to select from more than 3,000 study abroad courses that have already been pre-approved for liberal education requirements and a growing list of technical courses.
The Course Approval History database is not exhaustive and students can work with an OEA advisor to submit additional courses for review.
Semester
- Fall Sophomore Year through Spring Junior Year
- Senior Year - Must have departmental and College approval
*OEA can assist with this petition process
Summer
- After 1st, 2nd and 3rd year.
- Study abroad after senior (4th) year not permitted.
*Summer after 1st year is ideal for students in the language acquisition sequence (intro, Intermediate, or Conversation & Composition) as a way to move forward move quickly in the minor/major. This would allow students to have 6 semesters for completing the 5 courses for the minor and 10 for the major.
Due to sequencing, students should work with their academic advisor to determine the best time to study abroad.
The French and Francophone Studies program prioritizes fully immersive experiences, which are the most effective at helping improve language skills. Often, field research and internships can help supplement this experience and offer valuable additional academic and professional skills.
Study abroad opportunities are not limited to formal instruction. Consider taking advantage of the unique research, internship, and fieldwork opportunities available through your study abroad program.
*Villanova University French and Francophone Studies in Lille
Available to all students who have taken through the equivalent of FFS 1131
CIEE Rennes (France)
CIEE Toulouse (France)
IES Nantes (France)
IES Rabat (Morocco)
Looking for more?
If a program is not listed above, it does not limit your eligibility to study abroad. Perhaps you're looking for something different. Visit Passport Villanova to discover other programs.
Course Approval Database
Students should consult with the OEA Course Approval Database to view a full list of pre-approved courses for most programs. The Course Approval Database may not contain updated/new courses and students may need to submit additional courses for review and approval. Programs and universities are continually updating course offerings and the program’s website will list the most accurate course offerings for the planned term abroad.
*Villanova Summer French Language and Culture (Lille)
Spend the summer being immersed in French language and culture through academic coursework, cultural activities and host family housing.
Looking for more?
If a program is not listed above, it does not limit your eligibility to study abroad. Visit Passport Villanova and explore other opportunities.
Course Approval Database
Students should consult with the OEA Course Approval Database to view a full list of pre-approved courses for most programs. The Course Approval Database may not contain updated/new courses and students may need to submit additional courses for review and approval. Programs and universities are continually updating course offerings and the program’s website will list most accurate course offerings for the planned term abroad.
It is important to plan ahead as it is not uncommon for scholarship deadlines to occur much earlier than a Villanova or program application deadlines.
There are many study abroad scholarships available for students through Villanova University, our partner programs and other external sources, like the US Government. The OEA can help students with the scholarship search and application process. If a scholarship is found outside of the OEA scholarship page, students should have it reviewed by the OEA to determine if it is a viable option.
Browse the scholarships opportunties found on the OEA website.