Study Abroad Programs
We encourage you to spend some time studying abroad and exploring different cultures. Within our department, there are three study abroad programs: a summer program in Florence, Italy, a summer program in Paris, France, and a semester-long program in Angers, France. We also offer a variety of scholarships and financial aid options to help cover some of the cost.
Feel free to get in touch with the Office of Study Abroad or your study abroad advisor if you are interested in any of these programs.
Additionally, if you are thinking about spending a year in France, you may want to explore student-initiated programs (SIPs) at French universities by contacting the programs coordinator in the Office of Study Abroad.
Université Catholique de l'Ouest
Spend the semester in Angers, France studying French language and civilization. Learn more here.

Language Institute in Paris
As one of the USA’s oldest continuously offered academic summer programs (since 1958), the Summer Language Institute in France enables students to experience the cultural offerings of both the French capital and the regions of Normandy, Brittany, and the Loire Valley while completing intensive coursework in French language, history and civilization. Learn more here.
Language and Culture in Florence
This program offers students an opportunity to live and learn in Florence, Italy. Students will study intermediate Italian language and live with Florentine families for one or two months over the summer. Learn more here.
Other Programs and Destinations
Search the Office of Study Abroad page by program name, destination, language, and other filters, here.
Study Abroad Advisors
Study Abroad Academic Advisor, French language and culture courses
Prof. Antje Ziethen
antje.ziethen@ku.edu
785-864-9042
2054 Wescoe Hall
Study Abroad Academic Advisor, Upper level Italian courses
Prof. Patrizio Ceccagnoli
patrizio@ku.edu
785-864-9063
2062 Wescoe Hall
Study Abroad Academic Advisor, Italian language courses
Prof. Massimiliano Cirruli
cirulli@ku.edu
785-864-0946
2063 Wescoe Hall
Office of Study Abroad Program Coordinator
Tiphani Dixon
dixonty@ku.edu
785-864-3742
108 Lippincott Hall
The Department of French, Francophone & Italian Studies is pleased to announce the following opportunities for study-abroad scholarships, all of which have the deadline ofSunday, March 1st, 2020, no later than 11:59pm. Please contact Professor Antje Ziethen with any queries.
The KU FFIT Study Abroad Scholarships
The KU FFIT Study Abroad Scholarships are open to KU degree-seeking undergraduate students who have applied to an academic year, semester or summer study abroad program in a French or Italian speaking country where the program target language is French or Italian. The Department of French, Francophone & Italian Studies will be awarding multiple scholarships which last year ranged between $1,000 and $3,000.
Applications for Spring 2020 French & Italian study abroad scholarships are due on Sunday, March 1st, 2020, no later than 12:59 pm.
Application Procedures
All applicants will be required to submit the following documents. Applicants who have not begun an application for a study abroad program will not be eligible for the scholarship. Please indicate in the letter of motivation any extenuating circumstances you would like the committee to consider in evaluating your application, including financial hardship or other challenges you have faced.
- Scholarship Statement / Letter of Motivation (two pages maximum)
- Unofficial Transcript or Advising Report
- One Letter of Recommendation
Please note: You may choose the same referee for the study-abroad application and the scholarship application. Also, your referee may submit the same letter of recommendation. However, make sure to tell your referee beforehand that you are applying to the study abroad program AND a scholarship, as letters should be more detailed if also applying for a scholarship.
All scholarship recipients will be expected to do a brief write-up of their experience abroad, preferably including photos. In cases where the scholarship is funded by a living donor, recipients will be expected to write a thank-you note.
The Clyde E. Jacobs Scholarship
The Clyde E. Jacobs Scholarship consists of a non-renewable award of $10,000. Applicants must be French majors who will spend a full academic year abroad in France at an accredited program at a French university. Applicants should have completed FREN 240, 241, or 234. Preference will be given to applicants who intend to spend the year (two semesters) in Angers at the Université Catholique de l’Ouest. Applications for 2019-2020 are due on Sunday, March 1st, 2020, no later than 11:59 pm.
Application Procedures
All applicants will be required to submit the following documents. Applicants who have not begun an application for a study abroad program will not be eligible for the scholarship. Please indicate in the personal statement/letter of motivation any extenuating circumstances you would like the committee to consider in evaluating your application, including financial hardship or other challenges you have faced.
- Scholarship Personal Statement/ Letter of Motivation (two pages maximum), including an outline of the plan for study abroad (Please Note: You may indicate in your letter /statement that you wish to be considered for a KU FFIT Study Abroad Scholarship, if you do not receive the Clyde E. Jacobs Scholarship)
- CV (four pages maximum)
- Unofficial Transcript or Advising Report
- Two Recommendations (at least one of which should come from a French Instructor)
Please note: You may choose the same referee (French Instructor) for the study-abroad application and the scholarship application. Also, the referee can submit the same letter of recommendation. However, make sure to tell your referee beforehand that you are applying to the study abroad program AND this scholarship, as letters should be more detailed if also applying for a scholarship.
All scholarship recipients will be expected to do a brief write-up of their experience abroad, preferably including photos. In cases where the scholarship is funded by a living donor, recipients will be expected to write a thank-you note.
The David A. Dinneen Study in France Scholarship
The department will be awarding $2,000 to a meritorious student participating in the Paris Summer Language Institute this year and $3,000 to a meritorious student studying abroad in France next fall. Please note that no separate application is necessary. Students applying for a FFIT Study Abroad Scholarship will automatically be considered for the David A. Dinneen Fund.
All scholarship recipients will be expected to do a brief write-up of their experience abroad, preferably including photos. In cases where the scholarship is funded by a living donor, recipients will be expected to write a thank-you note.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Professor Antje Ziethen .
Office of Study Abroad Scholarships
The Office of Study Abroad also offers two scholarships for students interested in studying an researching in France and French-speaking countries.
- Jean Hardy Robinson Travel Award - Fund created with generous contributions of Jean Hardy Robinson, Ph.D. to support students traveling to francophone countries. Awards total $3,500.
- Peter Gilles Springer Fellowship for Study in France - Fund created with the generous contribution of Phyllis Springer Sipahioglu to support outstanding graduate students in French, History or Political Science who wish to pursue research and/or studies in France. Awards total $1,200.
For more information on these scholarships and the application process, please visit the OSA Scholarship page.