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Exchange Programs

Graduate Exchange Programs

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Graduate students in the Department of Romance Studies can spend a year abroad through one of three exchange programs. An exchange year abroad will “pause” a student’s degree program and will not count toward the years of financial support for which the student is eligible. Candidates for the exchange programs are selected in November each year by the Year Abroad Selection Committee.

La France

Université de Montpellier Graduate Assistant/Lecturer

The Department of Romance Studies sends a graduate student in French to the Université de Montpellier III for an academic year as part of an exchange.

Lectureship from Sept 1 through June 30, paying approximately 1150 euros per month for a 12-month period (first payment usually in early November). The work involved is generally in conjunction with English language courses, but it can also include American/British literature and civilization courses. Teaching responsibilities typically consist of working with discussion sections associated with an existing course taught by a UPV professor. The exact nature of these responsibilities will be made clear in meetings held at UPV after arrival.

After ROMS communicates the candidate’s selection to the UPV English Dept, the graduate student is responsible for contacting the latter regarding the necessary paperwork, for completing it, and for obtaining the appropriate visa in a timely manner prior to departure. It will also be the responsibility of the graduate student to pay the round-trip airfare to Montpellier (up to $1500) and to secure his or her own housing there, as well as to pay any fees associated with taking courses while there.

*Please note that candidates for this position must be native speakers of North American English (since the expectation is that the one who occupies the position will have grown up in the U.S. or Canada and be a representative of North American culture and language).

Université Sorbonne Nouvelle 3 Lecturer

The Department of Romance Studies sends a graduate student in French to the Université Sorbonne Nouvelle 3 for an academic year as part of an exchange.

Lectureship from September through August, 1250 € per month after deductions for health insurance. Teaching will take the form of conversation classes with groups of fewer than 10 students. Class objectives will include improving fluency and comprehension, coaching for public speaking, vocabulary building and introducing students to diverse aspects of anglophone culture. Lecturers also help with the organization of exams. Lecturers are expected to produce all their own teaching materials, and participate in the creation of shared materials.

During the first two weeks in September a series of meetings will be organised to help lecturers with various aspects of settling into life in Paris, and with their work at the Sorbonne Nouvelle.

After ROMS communicates the candidate’s selection to the Paris 3 English Dept, the graduate student is responsible for contacting the latter regarding the necessary paperwork, for completing it, and for obtaining the appropriate visa in a timely manner prior to departure. ROMS will pay the round-trip airfare to Paris (up to $1500) and it will be the responsibility of the graduate student to secure his or her own housing there, as well as to pay any fees associated with taking courses while there.

*Please note that candidates for this position must be native speakers of American English (since the expectation is that the one who occupies the position will have grown up in the U.S. or Canada and be a representative of North American culture and language).

Italia

Lorenzo de’ Medici School in Florence

The Department of Romance Studies sends one student of Italian to the Lorenzo de’ Medici School in Florence, where more than two hundred UNC students are enrolled during the academic year and summer sessions. Graduate students may stay a semester or an academic year, during which time they teach a course and advise undergraduate students. They may also take advantage of their stay in one of Europe’s major cultural centers, by improving their language skills, familiarizing themselves with archival research, and auditing courses at the University of Florence. Roundtrip airfare is paid by the Department of Romance Studies, up to $1200.

España

Universidad de Sevilla Teaching Assistant

Department of English Literature.  Practical English classes and participation in other courses offered by the Department.  September 1 through July 31.  Round trip air (up to $1500) paid by ROMS, tuition for enrollment at Universidad de Sevilla is covered, medical insurance while in Spain paid, plus a stipend.
*Note: For this position, the Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) will receive 11 paychecks. Because the GTA may not receive his/her first check until November, he/she must have funds to cover expenses until this time. Visiting lectures are responsible for finding their own housing.

What Students are Saying

Chloe Hamer

French
Study Abroad / Exchange Graduate Student

“My participation in the ROMS teaching exchange program at the Sorbonne Nouvelle – Paris III has been invaluable for my development as an instructor and as a scholar. The yearlong teaching exchange program allowed me to immerse myself in the French language and culture, granted me access to countless scholarly resources, and pushed me to become a more effective and adaptable teacher. The skills that I have gained and the information that I have learned during my time in the ROMS teaching exchange program have already allowed me to pursue exciting new teaching opportunities, and I am certain that this experience will continue to open doors for my career as a teacher and scholar in the future!“

Che Sokol

French
Current Graduate Student

“My experience as an exchange instructor at Université Paul Valéry in Montpellier, France has not only improved my French language fluency and given me teaching experience in a different education system, but also helped me foster academic relationships. Through this opportunity, I’ve been able to attend Mediterranean film festivals, access scholarly archives, and make social connections that have reinvigorated my research. The mentorship and support of ROMS faculty and administration has been integral to my development as a teacher and researcher.“