Study and Work Abroad
One major reason to learn French is to take advantage of the many study abroad opportunities Boston College offers in France. The BC Office of International Programs (OIP) has a number of semester-long and year-long programs in Paris. Students can participate in programs at some of the most prestigious universities in France. These include:
L'Institut Catholique de Paris (ICP)
L'Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris (Sciences Po)
L'Ecole Supérieure de Commerce (ESCP)
L'Institut de Langue et de Culture Francaise (ILCF)
Université de Paris IV, La Sorbonne
Université de Paris IX, Dauphine
For more details about the different programs please consult the OIP (Office of International Programs). They will help you to find the best program for you based on your interests and your level of French. Students can also consult with any professor of French in the department for further information on study abroad in France.
Summer Internship Program - Paris, France
In the summer of 2014, Boston College’s Office of International Programs (OIP) expanded their Summer Internship Program to include a French speaking country for the first time, opening up opportunities for the many French Language Program students on campus to incorporate their desire to study abroad with a unique work experience. In Paris, the political and cultural capital of France, the OIP now offers a multitude of placements with companies in various industries as well as a diverse collection of smaller NGOs and nonprofits. This unique two-month opportunity provides academic guidance, homestay accommodations with a local family, and a chance to gain professional experience in an international setting all the while expanding one’s knowledge and competency of French. Please contact Erin Shevlin, Summer & Internship Programs Manager, Office of International Programs at erin.shevlin@bc.edu.
Further Study after Study Abroad
Many students, after having successfully accomplished their original goal of study abroad, return to Boston College with a more firm understanding of their passion for French. As an addition to the experiences of study abroad that ground students’ understanding of the practicality of proficiency in a foreign language and the credits, which transfer from the university abroad, the immersion experience has a way of inspiring many students to continue exploring their curiosity for French by taking additional language or literature courses or declaring a minor or major in French. When returning to Boston College after your study abroad experience, carefully consider the many opportunities (in the form of literature, linguistics, teaching methodology courses etc.) that still wait for you on campus to ever advance your language skills.