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
Advisers: Hélène Visentin (Fall 2012), Martine Gantrel (Spring 2013)
Faculty Directors
2012-13: Robert Dorit, Associate Professor of Biology
2011-12: Peter Bloom, Ross Professor of Humanities, Music (Fall),
Hélène Visentin, Associate Professor of French Studies (Spring)
2010-11: Brigitte Buettner, Priscilla Paine Van der Poel Professor of Art History
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
Adviser: Christiane Métral
Faculty Directors
2012-13: Jonathan Gosnell, Associate Professor of French Studies
2011-12: Anna Botta, Professor of Italian Language & Literature and Comparative Literature
2010-11: Jonathan Gosnell, Associate Professor of French Studies
Students interested in any of the academic options offered by the Smith College Junior Year Abroad in Geneva are encouraged to begin study of French and to pursue it prior to departure. Students on all three tracks (A, B and C) will study French language, or particular subjects of interest in French, while in Switzerland.
International Internship Semester (Track A)
- 3.0 GPA
- At least one year of college-level French or equivalent required for the fall semester. Students with any level of college-level French can apply for the spring semester.
- Background in political science or government
- Evidence of maturity, responsibility and preparation for study abroad and interning in an international organization
University Studies in French or English (Track B)
- 3.0 GPA
- Two years of college-level French or equivalent (year); and at least one year of French or equivalent (spring).
- Evidence of maturity, responsibility and preparation for study abroad.
Advanced Program in International Studies and Development (Track C)
- 3.5 GPA
- Commitment to year-long enrollment in the program
- Two years of college-level French or the equivalent.
- Evidence of maturity, responsibility and preparation for study abroad.
