The Department of Romance Languages administers and supervises its own programs abroad during the Spring Term, including programs of study in Spain, Costa Rica, and France. In recent years, the Department has also overseen an Internship Program in Mar de Plata, Argentina.

Additionally, students may choose to study abroad during the twelve-week term or for the full academic year through a number of approved programs independent of W&L.  (For twelve-week programs consult Center for International Education) Students must seek pre-approval for courses taken off-campus.   Consult the Department Head of each department for which credit is sought.

Departmental Offerings Abroad:

|  Spain |  France | Costa Rica |

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French 212 (France)

A six-week intensive encounter with direct exposure to the language, culture and people of France. In Nice, students live with a host family and take classes through France-Langue. In addition, students participate in guided excursions to various points of interest, including possibly Loire River Valley. The program includes supervised academic projects, lectures by native authorities, attendance at the theater and other cultural activities. Students majoring in subjects other than French, including other language majors, are encouraged to apply. Three credits may be in French and three in another subject.

French 172

French 111-112 during the same academic year and a grade of B or better in FREN 112. A period of intensive language training and exposure to the language, culture, and people of France.  The program includes study at a French language school, living with a French family, excursions, and other cultural activities. Spring. Staff

 

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Spanish 201 (Costa Rica)

Direct exposure to the language, people, and culture of Costa Rica. The course is designed to improve grammar and vocabulary of the advanced student (i.e., fifth semester and beyond) through intensive training in Spanish with special emphasis on oral proficiency. The program includes an on-campus portion (two weeks) which offers an overview of the culture and history of Central American Nations as well as intensive pre-departure oral language training.

The site portion includes four weeks of supervised academic work at the Instituto Guanacasteco in Nicoya, Costa Rica. Nicoya is the cultural capital of the Guanacaste province, situated between the Pacific to the west and mountains to the east, along with the Nicaraguan border to the north. The Institute is just steps from the town square with outdoor cafes and its colonial church built in 1644.  In addition to the language classes at the Instituto Guanacasteco, a community-based service learning component allows students to test their language skills as a volunteer at the local hospital, primary school, law firm, or local businesses, among others. The program also promotes cultural awareness through lectures by native authorities as well as excursions to local and national sites of interest. Following the course, students may wish to remain and work at the local turtle reserve, national park, Habitat for Humanity, or take an optional excursion to Nicaragua.

Visit the Span 201 Course Homepage

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Spanish 202 (Spain)

This six-credit course offers students direct exposure to the language, culture and people of Spain.   Courses are given in grammar and conversation with some additional instruction in culture, history and civilization by native professors through the Estudio Internacional Sampere. Students are tracked for language courses but W&L students will join together for culture and civilization courses. Students will keep a journal, in Spanish, as part of their academic evaluation. Classes meet for four hours each day, Monday through Friday. Courses are designed so that students can take maximum advantage of their presence in Spain; that is, class activities are often coordinated with extracurricular activities.  Students who intend to spend the spring term in Spain are encouraged to take Spanish 211 (Culture and Civilization) during the winter term prior to their travel.

Students are housed in Spanish homes screened and selected by the Estudio Internacional. They are provided with three meals/day and laundry service. In most instances, W&L students will share accommodations with another W&L student on the program. The program usually includes weekend excursions to points of interest as well as a 3-day overnight excursion

Visit the Span 202 Course Homepage

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