Study Abroad Programs in French and Italian

The Maryland-in-Nice program is one of the University of Maryland's oldest study abroad programs. Based at the Études Françaises pour l'étranger (E.F.E.) at the Université de Nice, the program is open to all UM students, as well as students from other accredited American universities. Students on the program take language, civilization and literature courses at the E.F.E., in addition to one intensive language training course during orientation and one semester-long course with Maryland's Resident Faculty Director.

In order to qualify for the program, applicants must demonstrate some background in the French language. Students enrolling for a full year must have completed one semester of intermediate French, while those enrolling for a semester must have completed at least two. Students can enroll in the Maryland-in-Nice program for the full year, or they can choose to study for the Fall or Spring semester.

Nice is a cosmopolitan city of about 300,000 people, located in the heart of the French Riviera. Inhabited for at least 400,000 years, the city is rich in history. Today, Nice is known for its world-renowned art museums, thriving theater scene, magnificent ocean vistas and pebbly beaches. Nice's location on the Côte d'Azur makes it an exciting destination for study abroad, as students can easily take the train to numerous villages along the coast, as well as major cities such as Marseille and tourist destinations such as Cannes and Monaco.

Throughout the semester, students on the Maryland-in-Nice program will have the opportunity to attend local cultural attractions. In addition, the program sponsors weekend excursions to nearby towns and at least one longer visit to a different area of France. In past years, the program has visited Paris, Lyon and Provence.

Maryland in Genoa

Based at the University of Genoa, the Maryland-in-Genoa program is open to all UM students, as well as students from other accredited American universities. Students on the program are expected to take eight credits of Italian language. In addition, students may pursue a number of courses taught in English and offered for UM resident credit. In Spring 2007, options include courses about Italian literature, Italian politics, and Italian performing arts. Students may also opt to enroll directly in Economics and Engineering courses taught in English at the University of Genoa.

Advanced Italian speakers are enrolled directly in a full load of courses at the University of Genoa.

Home to both the oldest medieval district in Europe and a sizable number of decadent Renaissance palaces, Genoa is a city steeped in history. At the same time, Baltimore’s twin city is a large, modern, industrial port, full of cutting-edge theatres, museums, restaurants, cafes and shopping centers. The capital of Liguria, Italy’s smallest region, Genoa is ideally located at the center of the Italian Riviera, a short drive from the picturesque towns of Portofino and Cinqueterre.

Genoa remains somewhat untouched by the influence of international visitors. It is rare to hear English spoken or to meet Americans in the restaurants or cafes. As such, it is an ideal location for study abroad. Students on the Maryland-in-Genoa program will have the opportunity to attend a number of local cultural attractions as part of the academic curriculum. In addition, the program sponsors excursions to local sites, such as Comogli and San Fruttuoso.

The Maryland-in-Genoa program is only available for the Spring Semester.