Student Experience

French and Italian culture – home & abroad

Our students engage together in a variety of activities throughout the year, whether at home in our department or while studying abroad. You can perform skits or songs during a talent show or watch Italian films followed by Q&A with the director. You might prepare for the life-changing experience of study abroad with your classmates. During overseas study you will become more fluent in your chosen language while enjoying the food, music, museums, and social life of an Italian or a French city.

Learn more about Italian experiences + opportunities

Learn more about French experiences + opportunities

Research encouragement

Our advanced students have the opportunity to pursue their own research through independent study courses (FRIT-X 490 and X 493) or the departmental honors program. At the Honors Roundtable at the end of the spring semester, they present their work and engage in discussion with faculty and peers. Many choose to participate in honor societies, Pi Delta Phi (French) and Gamma Kappa Alpha (Italian).

Learn about research opportunities Learn about our honors program

Conversation tables & theatrical events

Undergraduate Teaching Interns (UTINs) lead French conversation groups and our weekly Italian conversation table. Undergraduates present theatrical readings as part of the FRIT-F 300 French Theater Workshop or the FRIT-M 435 Italian Theater Workshop. These events encourage a comfort level of increased language fluency.

Posed image from the World Language Festival.
Students play a board game during French Club.
Italian students prepare dessert.

Recognition

We recognize our students’ accomplishments each year at our April student awards ceremony and reception. Our annual commencement reception in early May is a final opportunity to celebrate the end of the year with graduating students, faculty, and staff. Throughout each year of involvement with French and Italian, our students benefit from an inspiring, supportive community of peers and scholars. Once they graduate, they join the community of our accomplished alums.