January Scholars in France
Article on JSF from The Tech

MIT's Foreign Languages & Literatures invites undergraduates to apply for the January Scholars in France program. The program (IAP, non-credit, all expenses paid) will allow up to seven MIT students to experience two weeks (January 8 - 23, 2010) of tutored immersion in the cultural life in Paris.

Activities will include such events as attending plays, movies, concerts and operas; viewing permanent and special exhibits at art and history museums; exploring hidden places in Paris as well as better known ones; and meeting French people. Students will assemble on a regular basis for informal discussions and reflection on the works and events explored. They will also collaborate, while abroad, on a blog-like journal of their individual and collective experiences.

Upon return, the group will use the final days of IAP (January 24 - January 29, 2010) to create a collective website that will be hosted by FL&L.

Past years' programs are chronicled at http://web.mit.edu/fll/jsf.

To Apply:
JSF Students will be chosen EACH FALL on the basis of demonstrated and sustained commitment to French Studies at MIT. Candidates are normally expected to have completed a significant number of MIT French classes including at least one above French IV (OR EQUIVALENT). Students will self-nominate. The award will be based on a demonstrated commitment to French Studies at MIT. Declared French majors and minors will be given special consideration.

Interested students may get an application and referee form here (Adobe Acrobat required) or from FL&L's main office (14N-305). Students should send the referee form to an instructor, advisor, or employer who can support the application. Both the application form and referee letter are due October 7, 2009. Semi-finalists will have a short interview in French with members of the selection committee.

Announcement of the winners will be made on October 28, 2009.