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BCA IFE Strasbourg

A New Kind of Study Abroad Experience

The BCA-IFE Strasbourg internship track combines BCA’s popular Strasbourg program with exciting new opportunities for learning through Internships with Francophone Europe (IFE). The IFE program partners with you to find an internship placement working in a professional environment alongside French colleagues. Your experience will open new opportunities and invite you to discover a lively European society moving in new directions that are inspiring, thoughtful and creative!

You might consider studying on the traditional BCA Strasbourg program during the fall semester and switching to the internship track in the spring semester so that you can spend a full year in France!

Immersion in French Society

Daily participation in the workplace is an ideal way to observe and participate in contemporary French society. Through intensive coursework, a seminar in European issues and a research project in a chosen area of interest, you will leave France surprised at how much you learned about France and about yourself. Plus, you will earn academic credit and add professional experience to your resume.

The IFE Program

During the first five weeks of BCA-IFE Strasbourg you will take three, 3-credit courses that form an intensive training session to equip you for entry into French professional life. Lecture/seminars in the morning are followed by workshops in the afternoon and complemented by site visits, films and documentaries.

• Political History of France: Transformations in the State and Political Life since Napoleon
• France in Europe and the World
• French Society: Problems and Prospect

After a week break for travel, you will start a 12-week internship, which you help to choose.

During this time you will also write a mémoire de stage, or research paper, produced step-by-step with the help of an advisor on a subject of intellectual interest and related to the work of your host organization. On Wednesday evenings throughout the internship, you will also participate in a seminar entitled Globalization: Myth and reality from a European perspective.

What are my options for Internship Placements?

You will have many choices since Strasbourg is so rich in placement opportunities. While most internships in Strasbourg tend to have a focus on international relations or politics, other opportunities are available in business, art, non-profit management, education and more.  All majors are welcome to apply!

Students in previous semesters worked in the following:

Local Politics

• City of Strasbourg, office of the mayor International relations
• Consulate of the United States in Strasbourg and the Assembly of European Regions Public relations/ European politics
• City of Strasbourg Center of Information on the European Institutions Politics/ immigration 
• National Office of Immigration and Integration (OFII)

Law/ human rights: 

• PRISME University research institute and the International Institute of Human Rights

 

Students Expand Opportunities
with BCA IFE program

Ursinus College students Jessica McIhenny (shown above with her research advisor, Madame Lambert) and Carolyn Smith recently completed BCA's IFE internship program, which offers students an opportunity study and work alongside professionals in Strasbourg, France.

McIhenny, who worked at PRISME, a research institute at the University of Strasbourg which specializes in human rights law, chose to study the comparative study of the legal status of Muslims in three European countries: France, Switzerland and Turkey for her research paper. Jessica is shown above with her research advisor, Madame Lambert.

"I think the IFE program is pretty difficult and it is good that way because you really get a lot out of it. I am glad I did the IFE program instead of taking classes because I feel that my progress and the things I've learned were focused a lot on my concentration as an international relations and french major," McIhenny said.

Carolyn Smith, pictured to the right, worked at the Office Français de l'Immigration et de l'Intégration, the government agency which handles all requests by foreigners for legal residence in France.

• Study Abroad FAQ’s

Questions? Please call:

1-866-222-6188