Modern Languages and Literatures

Study Abroad Opportunities

Grand Valley urges all students to seek study-abroad experience. Foreign language majors and minors will make exceptional progress by combining study abroad with their formal coursework on the home campus. Moreover, approved study experiences of varying lengths---summer, semester, or academic year---carry full academic credit for all participants, including non-majors. The majority of programs currently offered take place during the summer and are accompanied by a Grand Valley State University faculty member. Longer stays can be arranged, however, through Grand Valley's institutional ties with colleges and universities in most regions of the world.

For more information, students should contact the Padnos International Center at 616-331-3898 or visit their website www.gvsu.edu/studyabroad

Regular accompanied programs include:

  • China
    A program that offers Interdisciplinary Studies, including Chinese Language,  for two separate sessions during the Spring and Summer located in Shanghai.
     
  • France
    A four to five week summer school program in French language and culture located in Nice in southern France or an unaccompanied program open to all majors in Angers, France (Study in Angers can take place during the summer or during the academic year).
     
  • Jordan
    A four week faculty-led summer program in Amman with instruction in English and Arabic. Arabic language and culture courses offered.
     
  • Germany
    A six week summer school program in German language and culture located in Schwäbisch Gmünd in southern Germany.
     
  • Mexico
    A five week summer school program offering classes in Spanish language, literature, culture, and civilization in Guadalajara, Mexico.
     
  • Poland
    Fall or Winter semester programs in economics, management, finance, history, marketing, political science, Polish language and culture and more. Located at the Cracow University of Economics, and open to all majors.
     
  • Russia
    This program is designed to introduce students to the historical and contemporary culture of Russia. The six week program will take place in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
     
  • Taiwan
    A summer school program offering classes in Chinese language and culture in Taiwan.

There are also programs that last for a semester or academic year.

  • Japan
    A two-semester exchange program with both the International Christian University in Tokyo and the Japan Center for Michigan Universities in Hikone. Intensive Japanese language study is offered in the summer at the Japan Center.
  • Spain
    Intensive semester or academic year programs in Spanish at University of Deusto in Bilbao. Also an intensive semester or academic year program is available to all majors. Courses are offered in Spanish language and culture is available in Segovia through AHA International.
  • Italy
    A semester or academic year affiliate program through AHA International in Macerata, which offers courses in Italian language, art history, economics, history, literature, politics and more.
  • Mexico
    A semester or academic year exchange program with the Universidad de las Americas, with course offerings in Spanish language and culture as well as business, math, engineering, law, and political science.

Students are also able to study abroad through Non-GVSU programs and still receive academic credit for their major, minor, GenEds, and/or themes. For further information, please feel free to check out the Padnos International Center Study Abroad Website, email the office studyabroad@gvsu.edu or stop in the Padnos International Center located in Lake Ontario Hall room 130, for assistance.