Summer Programs in Foreign Language and Culture
WVU’s Department of Foreign Languages offers excellent study abroad programs in a variety of foreign languages and cultures, and International Studies majors regularly participate in these programs. Most programs are led by a professor from the Foreign Language Department, and range in duration from four to six weeks. Typically two, three-credit courses are taught: a language class and a culture class. Any interested student should work with both his/her International Studies advisor and the relevant faculty member in the Department of Foreign Languages.
These programs provide a very valuable important component to the International Studies curriculum—particularly for I.S. majors taking one of the “regional” areas of emphases. Advance language is required for each of these tracks and, in fact, students with regional specialization are encouraged to take additional foreign language and culture courses. The foreign language and culture courses taught in these summer programs can be used to meet these I.S. requirements. Participation in these programs also can be used to meet the capstone requirement for the I.S. major, although to do so it is necessary to enroll in INTS488 for the same summer semester.
The following is a listing of current summer programs in foreign language and culture. Along with brief descriptions of courses offered, links are provided to two websites that provide further details on each the program for Summer 2009. The primary link takes you to the Department of Foreign Languages website for that particular program, while the second link is to the webpage for the 2009 Summer Faculty-led Programs at the WVU Office of International Program’s. The most current information on registering for any of these programs is updated and posted at the OIP website.
BRAZIL: Summer Language and Culture Program. This four-week, faculty-led program is held at the Universidade Luterana do Brasil in the city of Canoas in southern Brazil. Six credits offered from among courses in Spanish grammar and conversation, Latin American literature, Brazilian culture, and elementary Portuguese. Watch for the announcment of the 2009 Program at the OIP website.
CHINA: Language and Culture Programs at Soochow University, China, and Ming Chuan University, Taiwan. These two faculty-led programs each offer six-credits of coursework on Chinese language and culture. Descriptions of the each program can be found at the Chinese Studies website in the Department of Foreign Languages. Also watch for forthcoming announcements of these two programs at the OIP website.
FRANCE: WVU in Vendee is a five-week, faculty-led intensive study abroad program in French language and culture. Two three-credit courses are offered: “Communication en direct” and “Culture en direct”. Located in the coastal town of Les Sables d’Olonne in the Vendee region, students live with host families as part of the cultural immersion experience. See the detailed “WVU-V” website, as well as the OIP website further information.
GERMANY: Programs at Luneberg and Fulda in German language, culture, and business. Both programs are led by WVU faculty and offer intensive courses in advanced German language and culture. The Fulda program also offers German language for international business and an integrated internship. Watch for annoucements of these programs at the OIP website.
ITALY: Trento Program in Italian Language and History. This is a faculty-led program based at the University of Trento located in northern Italy. Students enroll in two three-credit courses: an advanced language course and an Italian history class. Students live with host families as part of their cultural immersion. Watch for forthcoming announcements at the OIP website.
MEXICO: Guanajuato Language Program. Taught at the University of Guanajuato’s Language School, this four-week program offers intermediate and advanced Spanish language courses, as well as advanced courses (in Spanish) on Mexican and Latin American history, literature, art, and political and social affairs. Watch for the announcment of the 2009 Program at the OIP website.
SPAIN: Spanish Study Program in Santander. This is a four week, faculty-led program held at Universidad Internacional Menendez y Pelayo in Santander, located in the north coast of Spain. Students choose from intermediate and advance courses in grammar, conversation/composition, literature, and contemporary Spainish affairs. See the 2009 Santander Program announcement at the OIP website.
Two additional, primarily language/culture programs are currently in development: one in Morocco and the other in Russia. Currently, neither is faculty-led, but is possible for an International Studies major to enroll (with other international students) on an individual basis. Courses taken at these programs can be used to meet requirements for both I.S. and foreign language. Note, interested students should work with their advisor(s) in International Studies and/or Foreign Language to insure that they enroll for appropriate courses.
MOROCCO: Arabic and North African Studies Program at Al Akhawayn University. This summer-long program (with two separate sessions) offers Arabic language courses at all levels: beginning, intermediate, and advanced. Also offered are courses on the Arab history, contemporary affairs, and art/architecture. Further information on this program can be found at the this program’s website, but WVU students should be sure to work with International Studies faculty and WVU OIP staff prior to making arrangements to attend this program.
RUSSIA: Center of Russian Language and Culture at St. Petersburg State University. The WVU Russian Studies Program in the Department of Foreign Languages is currently working to develope a faculty-led program in Russian language and culture in St. Petersburg. Interested students should check the evolving program’s link (above) and be in contact with Dr. Lisa DiBartolmeo, Director of the Russian Studies Program.
In summary, the programs offered by the Department of Foreign Languages can significantly enhance the undergraduate International Studies experience. I.S. majors with strong language skills and interests typically take one of these programs in the summer of their sophomore year. This provides an excellent, initial experience in foreign study and cultural immersion. Drawing upon this first experience (and accelerated language training), I.S. majors in the regional areas of emphasis often then elect to do a second study abroad program for a full semester, e.g., second semester junior year or during their senior year. Not only does this greatly enhance the credibility of the regional area of emphasis, it also often provides the basis for a minor or even a double major in International Studies and Foreign Languages.
