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Office of Education Abroad

Major Advising Page - 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. Please ensure you are following the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures' Guidelines for Study Abroad.

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 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 all-inclusive and students can work with an OEA advisor to submit additional courses for review.

Don't forget - CLAS has a list of policies and limitations specifically focused on study abroad. Make sure you're aware of these as you plan your overseas experience.

Timing
For French and Francophone Studies students, summer study abroad is possible after the first year through the end of junior year. Semester study abroad is possible anytime between the beginning of sophomore year through Fall Semester, senior year. If you are double majoring, it is important to determine the best timing for the other major as well. Study abroad senior year must be approved by the College.

Due to sequencing, students should work with their academic advisor to determine the best time to study abroad. Students must request approval to study abroad during their senior year.

 

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 equivalant 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. Keep in mind, if it doesn't appear on this page, above, it will need to be approved by the Villanova Spanish program.

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 so and the program’s website will list 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.
Programs that don't appear on the list, above, need to be reviewed and approved by the VU Spanish program.

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 so 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 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 opportunities found on the OEA website.