Study Abroad & Junior Year Abroad
Smith's long-established Junior Year Abroad programs in Geneva and Paris attract about 30 students each year. Students live in university housing or with French-speaking families, attend classes with their French and European peers, and come back with near-native language skills and a real understanding of the culture. Majors find that this experience opens doors to careers in international relations, business, law, art and teaching.
Majors in French studies who spend the year in Paris or Geneva will normally meet certain of the requirements for the major during that year.
Students reflect on their experiences abroad
Smith in Paris
Adviser: Hélène Visentin (Fall), Peter Bloom (Spring)
Faculty Directors
2009-10: Robert Dorit, Associate Professor of Biology
2010-11: Brigitte Buettner, Priscilla Paine Van der Poel Professor of Art History
2011-12: Peter Bloom, Ross Professor of Humanities, Music (Fall),
Hélène Visentin, Associate Professor of French Studies (Spring)
2012-13: Robert Dorit, Associate Professor of Biology
French-speaking students live abroad for a full year in a French home. Students study at the Paris universities with Smith program courses offered by French professors, volunteering, interning and enjoying excursions and cultural activities in a select group of 25 students. Students are advised by a Smith faculty director and a Parisian associate director at the beautiful Reid Hall Smith Center in Montparnasse. More...
Requirements
Students going on Smith College Junior Year Abroad (JYA) programs to Paris must meet the following requirements:
- GPA of 3.0
- 2 years of the equivalent of college level French, normally four four-credit courses, including one course at the FRN 250 level or above in the spring semester of the year before study in Paris. Students who enter Smith at the FRN 230 level or above are required to take at least three semesters of French prior to study in Paris, including one course at the FRN 250 level or above in the spring semester of the year before study in Paris. Students beginning French with FRN 101 and 102 must take three 4-credit French courses in their sophomore year.
Smith in Geneva
Advisers: Hélène Visentin (Fall), Jonathan Gosnell (Spring)
Faculty Directors
2009-10: Kiki Gounaridou, Associate Professor of Theatre
2010-11: Jonathan Gosnell, Associate Professor of French Studies
2011-12: Anna Botta, Professor of Italian Language & Literature and Comparative Literature
2012-13: Jonathan Gosnell, Associate Professor of French Studies
Students study in English or French and live abroad for a semester or a full year in university residence halls; they have the opportunity to intern at an international organization; take courses at University of Geneva, the Graduate Institute, and various other institutions; and enjoy excursions and activities in beautiful Switzerland. Join a select group of 20 students advised by a Smith faculty director and Swiss associate director at the spacious Smith Center.
Interested students may choose from three program tracks in Geneva:
- A. Geneva International Internship Semester
(no French required) - B. University Studies in English or French
(fall, spring or academic year) - C. Advanced Program in International Studies and Development
(fall, spring or academic year)
Requirements
Students going on Smith College Junior Year Abroad (JYA) programs to Geneva must meet the requirements for the track that they select. For the specific requirements of each of the three tracks, see the Office of International Study Web site.
