Languages, Literatures & Cultures, BA, Minor

Why you should participate in a Study Abroad Program

Study abroad is a 4D signature experience that enables you to deepen and apply your thinking, reflect on your interests and goals, and gain new perspectives on education and life through a global experience. Through studying abroad, you will grow across the four 4D dimensions, supporting your intellectual growth, character exploration, well-being, and sense of purpose.

Learning about a different culture and gaining proficiency in an additional language is certainly rewarding on its own – and much needed in our globally integrating world. But to do so immersed for months in that very culture and language is an entirely different ballgame, and frankly an irreplaceable adventure! How many times have I heard from students that studying abroad literally changed their lives?! We have amazing programs all over the world, from Germany to Japan, from Italy to China, from France to pretty much wherever you wish to study. Do it! It’s a wonderful experience!

Wilfried Wilms, Professor of German Studies and Chair of LL&C

Planning your Program

  • When to Participate in a Study Abroad Program

    Languages, Literatures & Cultures majors and minors can participate in study abroad any term, and for multiple terms.  DU students typically study abroad Fall of Junior Year. For Japanese, students typically go abroad in Spring.

  • Advice and Considerations

    Advice from Languages, Literatures & Cultures

    If you are a major or minor in one of the six programs (Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Russian) that offer programs in the target language, we strongly encourage you to challenge yourself while abroad and embrace living the culture and language to the fullest extent. You can live with host families or in dorms with other students to develop relationships, ask questions and have conversations. In general, we recommend you to be curious, go places, and perhaps even limit socializing in English with other study abroad students. Push yourself a little beyond your comfort zone! We have had students join sports teams and other social clubs that greatly enhanced their experiences and formed lasting connections.

    Students frequently return from study abroad with an average of 18 credit hours. So, if you are going abroad, usually in the fall of junior year, and have a declared minor, you might be surprised how close you will be to a major upon return. Many students who initially thought they would minor ended up as a major! For guidance on what that might look like for you, write to Wilfried Wilms, Chair of LL&C (wilfried.wilms@du.edu).  

    Even if you are not a declared minor yet, you will make significant process toward that while abroad. Again, for guidance on navigating the degree we encourage you to speak with Professor Wilms, who will also connect you with the respective advisors in your program.

    Whether you are already a declared major or minor, or are considering declaring, please consult the LLC site in the Undergraduate Bulletin to understand our program and its requirements and opportunities.  

    For specifics on study abroad course transfer guidelines for the major, see the “Course Considerations for Your Major” drop-down below.
     

    Advice from the Office of International Education

    Attend a First Step Session 
    1. Attend our mandatory info session First Step if this is your first time studying abroad through the OIE. Learn about how to find programs, how DU's system works & important considerations.
    Research programs 
    1. Start by considering what you want out of a program. See Things to Consider to get an idea of what you should be asking yourself. Once you have an idea of what you want, search for programs in DU Passport. 
    2. Read the entire online program brochure for each program in DU Passport that interests you – be sure to check the Eligibility section. 
    3. Visit each program's website for more details (course lists, extracurriculars, etc.) 
    Stop by Drop-in Advising hours to get help with getting started 
    1. Come by our office during drop-in advising hours to speak to someone about how to get started, how to narrow down your program choices and review what steps you need to take in order to study abroad. 
  • Meet with Your Academic Advisor

    How to make an appointment

    For any specific questions on how a given course might transfer, please submit a formal request and a designated credit approver from our department will be able to respond with a decision. We encourage you to review the Registrar's database of courses pre-approved for your program (TIERS). If you identify courses offered by your program not in TIERS, or courses in TIERS come back differently than you would like, you can request new course approvals.  

    For all questions relating to how study abroad might complement your path toward the major or minor, or how course transfers work in the department, please make an appointment with your respective / assigned advisor.
     

    Chinese: Wayne Yeung (Wayne.Yeung@du.edu)
    French & Francophone Studies: Moustapha Ly (Moustapha.ly@du.edu)
    German: Gabi Kathöfer (Gabi.Kathoefer@du.edu)
    Italian: Angelo Castagnino (Angelo.Castagnino@du.edu)
    Japanese: Orna Shaughnessy (Orna.Shaughnessy@du.edu)
    Russian: Polina Dimova (Polina.Dimova@du.edu)
     

    Key questions to ask

    • What are my remaining degree requirements?
    • How many upper-division credits do I still need to complete for my degree?
    • How many elective credits (lower vs. upper division) do I have left to complete my major?
    • What remaining prerequisites must I fulfill, and how will a study abroad program impact my progress?
    • Which of my remaining degree requirements could I complete abroad?  Are there any that I cannot take abroad?
    • Can I receive academic credit for an internship abroad?
    • Are there any in-residence requirements I need to be aware of before I go abroad?
  • Meet with the Office of International Education

    Our advisors are dedicated to helping you find the perfect program for your academic and personal goals, and can help provide you with the preparation necessary to excel once you arrive. 

    First Step Session 

    Ready to get started with your study abroad planning? Your first step is to attend an in-person First Step Session where you will learn how to choose a program & get started on your DU Abroad application. See Events for times.

    Drop-In Advising 

    This is where you start! Have general questions about studying abroad? Want help on how to narrow down to the right program for you? Come to our Drop-in Advising sessions! Bring your questions. Our Peer Advisors will help answer your questions & help you determine next steps. 

    1-on-1 Meetings 

    Once you have narrowed it down to a program, learn more specifics about the program by Making an Appointment with an OIE Advisor. Before meeting with an OIE advisor you are required to attend our First Step Session (see above). OIE advisors help guide you through the study abroad application & pre-departure steps. 

  • Course Considerations for Your Major

    Review major or minor degree requirements

    1. Review major or minor degree requirements listed in the undergraduate bulletin.
    2. At least 50% of the required courses for the major and minor must be completed at the University of Denver.
       

    Finding courses and course approvals 

    Review the Registrar’s database of courses pre-approved for your program (TIERS). 

    If you identify courses offered by your program not in TIERS, or courses in TIERS come back differently than you would like, you can request new course approvals. 

    1. Obtain syllabi for the courses you are seeking to be approved. 
    2. Utilize the Additional Comments field of the course approval form to clearly explain what type of credit you are trying to receive for the departmental reviewer.   
    3. Advising and course approvals occur during the academic year when faculty are on campus. Make sure to submit course approvals at least five weeks before Summer or you may not have a response until the following Fall.  

    It is important to identify and seek approval for backup courses.  Your program may not have registration until you arrive on site, or courses could be changed, cancelled, or have time conflicts.   

    If necessary, you can submit course approvals anytime, including while you are abroad and after you return.   

    Departmental Considerations

    • Language courses taught at the 1000 level abroad do not count towards the major or minor, just as they don’t count if taken on campus 
    • Intermediate language courses taken abroad can be approved to come back as 2xxx courses towards major/minor credit requirements.  If the course you are taking isn’t already approved in TIERS, make sure you submit a Study Abroad Course Approval Form (see Course Considerations for your Major above).   
    • Language courses taken abroad are not considered redundant to courses taken already at DU.  For example, a student who completed ITAL 2003 at DU, and is placed into an intermediate II course abroad, can still complete the abroad course for ITAL 2XXX departmental elective credit.   

    Discuss your specific class selections with your respective program advisors.

    Chinese: Wayne Yeung (Wayne.Yeung@du.edu)
    French & Francophone Studies: Moustapha Ly (Moustapha.ly@du.edu)
    German: Gabi Kathöfer (Gabi.Kathoefer@du.edu)
    Italian: Angelo Castagnino (Angelo.Castagnino@du.edu)
    Japanese: Orna Shaughnessy (Orna.Shaughnessy@du.edu)
    Russian: Polina Dimova (Polina.Dimova@du.edu)
     

  • Explore Funding Opportunities

    Cost is an important factor to consider when choosing an international experience. Not only should you understand the costs of your program but you should also anticipate the other costs that will be associated with your travel. Please visit our Financial Planning page regarding tuition, housing, and meal costs of DU Partner Programs (DUPP) and unaffiliated programs. It is important that you understand all of the items and services that will and will not be included in your program. 

    Studying abroad doesn't have to be more expensive than staying at DU. If you plan ahead, few locations are out of reach, even with a limited budget. You need to be realistic about how cost-of-living varies around the world, but that can work in your favor. Sometimes, it's even possible to save money by studying abroad! 

    Most students are able to utilize most of their financial aid while studying abroad. We encourage you to speak directly with the Financial Aid Office for details on your specific aid package. 

    Details of how Financial Aid applies to your study abroad program can be found on our Financial Aid page. 

    Many general scholarships for undergraduate and graduate study in the U.S. can be applied to study abroad. You should check to see if you are eligible to apply for general scholarships that are not specific to, but can be applied, to study abroad. There also are a huge number of study abroad specific scholarships available with varying eligibility criteria and deadlines. If finances for studying abroad are a concern, you are encouraged to begin searching and applying for scholarships as soon as possible. 

    More details on available scholarships can be found on our Scholarships page.

Student Testimonials

  • "In summer 2024 I studied in Florence at the Lorenzo De Medici program (LDM). In Florence and Italy, in general, there are so many activities that one can do. In Florence, I was able to walk around the city, enjoy great food and gelato, and go to various museums and churches. I really enjoyed my experience in Italy and loved Florence. I loved being able to see both the modern and historical aspects of each Italian city that I visited. I was able to study Italian at LDM, speak with locals in Italian and become more confident in my Italian, so my experience in Italy was really life-changing. I will forever cherish this opportunity, and I can’t wait to go back."

    — Jocelyn Buenrostro BA Italian

  • "My time in Taipei was one of the best experiences I've had in college, and I still talk to people that I met there. My understanding of Mandarin also greatly improved, and it was amazing to be able to use what I learned in a real-world environment."

    — Laine Beaudoin Chinese Minor

  • "Studying abroad is a life-changing experience that opens your eyes to new perspectives, cultures, and ways of living. During my quarter in Berlin, Germany, I was able to feel immersed in the culture, which helped me truly connect with the people and environment around me. Traveling throughout Europe and meeting people from around the world expanded my worldview and made every day an adventure. While I experienced challenges like homesickness, the support of my host family and the friendships I built helped me feel at home. The experience pushed me out of my comfort zone, making me more independent and open to new opportunities. Studying abroad taught me that the world is full of endless possibilities to explore. I recommend it to anyone—whether for academic growth, personal discovery, or just to meet new people, the rewards of studying abroad are unforgettable and deeply impactful.”  

    — Morgan Strom BA German

  • "The experience itself has been absolutely incredible. I have been abroad for almost seven months- since the end of August- and although it has definitely not been without its challenges, I am amazed at how much I have been able to learn and grow in such a short amount of time. In fact, it is through the many challenges I have had to face and then overcome that I have grown the most. My internship has provided me with the opportunity to work in a field I am passionate about and interested in pursuing a career in, immigration, while also broadening my perspective of Italy as a country and a people. It is through my internship that I am able to gain a vision of what it is like to live and work in Italy long-term; it has deepened my experience from that of a typical study abroad experience into something more."

    — Pascal Correa-Bruzzese BA Italian

Key Contacts and Resources

Department of Languages, Literatures & Cultures

Map Location:  Sturm Hall 391

Phone:  (303) 871-2662

Email: LLandC@du.edu

Helpful Links