JMU offers new summer study abroad program in Paris

JMU once again will offer study abroad opportunities in Paris, France, through a six-week summer program.

In the past, JMU offered a fall and spring semester program in Paris. "It’s a modest program, but you get to be in Paris and earn a couple credits while you are there," said Kirk Elwood, a Paris program director.

Christiane Szeps-Fralin, a French professor, had the idea to start the Paris program. She recruited the majority of the students from the French department and also the faculty here and abroad. Szeps-Fralin asked Elwood, who is a business professor, to be the program’s co-director.

Szcheps said she thought that the program also would foster a great collaboration between the French department and the College of Business.

After developing the idea of the summer program with some colleagues, Elwood recruited students and faculty.

The summer program will commence June 18, 2005, with courses in language, French history, economics and art.

"It’s not all vacation, but at least when you’re not studying there are many different and exciting things to experience," Elwood said. He will teach international economics (ECON 270) in Paris this coming summer.

"I was so happy to hear that JMU is once again offering a study abroad opportunity in Paris," said senior Jennifer Lachman,who studied abroad in Paris in spring 2004 through a non-JMU program. "Last year, when I began exploring my study abroad options, I was forced to look at programs offered by other institutions. The whole process would have been a thousand times easier if JMU had been offering a program in Paris."

Senior Laura Dantzler, who studied abroad through a JMU program, said, "The program directors and staff associated with JMU were always in contact with me and were very supportive. Going through JMU was a definite benefit for my study abroad experience.