Summer Programs
If you wish to study abroad in the summer
and receive credit, there are two possible paths you can follow. First, in
keeping with the College's policy on summer school, students who study abroad
at one of our own sponsored programs will receive full transfer credit
for all courses. Your second choice is to participate in an approved summer
program for language credit. Please be aware that you will be financially
responsible for any summer
program you choose to attend. Please see Dean Carpenter or the OGP to discuss
your options.
Columbia Sponsored Programs
Paris
Reid Hall offers summer courses focusing on French language, culture, society; humanities/social sciences, art history and for student with at least one year of French. students. Each program offers cultural activities and field trips that support the learning of French language and culture.
Beijing, China
This nine-week language program immerses students in the culture of contemporary Beijing. Participants study at Tsinghua University, where Columbia and local university faculty collaborate in the teaching of Mandarin Chinese at the advanced-beginning, intermediate and advanced levels. Homestays with Chinese families, group excursions, and a week-long travel break for independent exploration of China give students insight into Chinese society and lifestyle.
Summer Ecosystem Experience for Undergraduates (SEE-U) in the Dominican Republic, Brazil, St. John's and New York State
SEE-U offers summer field ecosystem courses in Brazil (São Paulo), the Dominican Republic (Punta Cana), the Virgin Islands (St. John), and New York (Black Rock Forest), for undergraduate students. These courses provide undergraduate students of all majors with a global understanding of ecology. The SEE-U program is unique program that emphasizes an understanding of the experimental method, involves cutting-edge digital resources as well as traditional fieldwork, and exposes students to data collected by their peers at other sites, which facilitates cross-biome comparisons. Students also have the opportunity to collect data beneficial to leading researchers, who are themselves involved in teaching.
For more information, please consult the SEE-U Web site.
Summer Chinese Business Program in Shanghai, China
A ten-week program based in Shanghai, this program introduces advanced Chinese speakers to business Chinese and the contemporary culture of international Shanghai. After six weeks of intensive Chinese language instruction, students complete a four-week internship witha local business.
Field Study in the Architecture of Medieval France
This is a six week study program for students of any major interested in the Middle Ages, French Architecture and Art History. Based at the Château de Bostz near the city of Moulins, students will explore the architecture, history, culture, economics, and technology of the Middle Ages through the application of archival research, archeology, photography,
Italian Studies in Venice
Columbia’s Departments of Art History and Italian offer a eight week
summer program in Venice.
Based at Ca’ Foscari
University, the program uses
an interdisciplinary approach to understanding Italian culture through study of
its language, literature, art history, and architecture. Students with at least
one year of Italian will develop their language skills, as well as a deeper
appreciation of the rich Venziano culture, traditions and history.
Columbia University Approved Programs
Your second option is to attend one of the following programs that Columbia has approved for summer study. Please note that you will receive only language credit for the courses you take on these programs. Students who wish to attend these programs must get approval from Dean Carpenter and the OGP. Please be aware that you may have to take a placement test upon your return. If you are interested in participating in a summer language program not on this list, you may petition for approval from the OGP. You may only receive credit for language classes completed through an accredited university. Please complete an International Summer Registration Form, which you should bring to the Study Abroad office by April 15.
Siena, Italy (Vassar College)
Siena, located in the heart of Tuscany, is known for its Medieval and Renaissance art, as well as its Palio, a colorful horse race in historic costume on the piazza. This exquisite hill town lies within easy reach of Florence, Rome, and the Mediterranean… [more]
Alicante, Spain (University of Pennsylvania)
For students interested in the language, literature, and culture of Spain, this program combines classroom instruction, homestay with Spanish families, and opportunities to visit many points of cultural and historical interest... [more]
Moscow, Russia (University of Pennsylvania)
The Penn-in-Moscow program offers an in-depth introduction to the social and economic changes, cultural developments, and political movements that have emerged in contemporary Russia...[more]
Germany (Freie University, DAAD/EDU)
The Freie Universitat Berlin is offering its International Summer University program, which consists of an intensive four week program offering courses covering topics on Berlin, Germany, and Europe. German language and literature courses are taught in German, while other courses are taught in English. Columbia students will only receive credit for German language and literature classes. Every year, the German department offers a number of scholarships for students.
High Tech in Germany
The DAAD is pleased to announce a special summer program in Munich, Germany for Engineering students. The program includes a German language component, specialized subject seminars and workshops in the engineering and natural science fields, and project work and lectures on intercultural communications and German and European history and culture. The program will take place at the Technische Universitaet Muenchen and offers the option of an internship placement prior to or following the conclusion of the course. Scholarships are available for qualified students. For more information, please see DAAD. Interested students can download the application materials from here. The application deadline is March 15. If you have specific questions about the program visit the DAAD site or e-mail to or .
DAAD edu.de Undergraduate Awards
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers EDU.de Undergraduate Awards to highly qualified undergraduate students for study abroad, university language or summer courses, senior thesis research and/or internships in the Federal Republic of Germany. Short-term awards cover stays of two to three months in conjunction with German university language or summer courses, independent senior thesis research, or an internship at a German institution or firm. Please see the DAAD edu.de Web site and the DAAD general Web site for grant information. For further information about summer language study, please see the DAAD Study and Research Summer Courses Web page.
back to top
Summer Approval & Registration Form
If you are interested in studying abroad on a non-Columbia summer program, discuss your options with the Office of Global Programs and complete a Summer Registration form once you've finalized your program choice. Download Summer Registration Form. back to top