Program Search
Winter 2027
Dates: Late December, 2026 - Mid-January, 2027
Application Deadline: September 15, 2026
Costs: Contact the program sponsor for updated cost
IAU’s January Term Traveling Seminar is designed for students interested in an academic and cultural experience in France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Czech Republic. Students explore major cities across Europe using literature and the arts as a guide to understanding the rise and establishment of the urban setting. Through readings and media studies, students examine the artistic process from inspiration to creation. Site visits and guided tours then allow students to experience the historical, geographical, and demographical foundations that inform the fictional representations of European cities and their impact on perceptions of those cities today. Students have the opportunity to learn from and exchange their observations with experts from IAU as well as distinguished on-site scholars and local guides in order to frame their own perception of the cities and these cities’ representation through the arts.
Sites visited:
Italy: Rome
France: Paris and Aix-en-Provence
Netherlands: Amsterdam
Czech Republic: Prague
*View the last term day-by-day itinerary here!
College of Staten Island, CUNY
Gonzalo Villena
ELI Director
Questions? Contact me
studyab@csi.cuny.edu
Tel:(718) 982-2100
This program is sponsored and administered by the College of Staten Island/CUNY
Students can choose one of the following courses:
Sophie Simon, PhD.
French Language Instructor, Centre d'Études Françaises
Sophie Simon is a French language instructor at ACM-IAU, teaching students at various levels and participating in custom programs during the summer and winter sessions. She is also involved in the J-Term Great Cities program, where she teaches European culture and literature, focusing on cities and countries such as Aix, Marseille, Paris, Amsterdam, Prague or Rome. In addition to her teaching role, Sophie Simon assists with administrative and coordination tasks at the Center for French Studies (CEF), including correcting placement tests, recommending courses, managing tutoring sessions, and organizing conversation clubs and student field trips. With a dynamic approach to teaching, Sophie Simon is known for constantly creating new activities and visual learning material, and integrating digital applications to enhance student engagement. She adapts her teaching methods to cater to all learning styles (visual, auditory, kinesthetic), ensuring that each student receives a personalized learning experience. A particular area of focus for her is French phonetics and pronunciation, where she integrates simple techniques to help students develop clear and accurate spoken French. She is committed to regularly updating her programs based on students' feedback. She holds a Master’s degree in French as a Foreign Language (FLE) and a Master’s in Translation and Interpretation (Literary translation) from Aix-Marseille University, as well as a dual Bachelor’s degree in General Linguistics and Translation & Interpretation. Fluent in French, English, Spanish, and Czech, Sophie brings a diverse linguistic and cultural perspective to her teaching. Her academic background and international experience allow her to create a dynamic and engaging classroom environment, where students use their existing language skills to enhance their French learning and explore its cultural context.
IAU’s J-Term Traveling Seminars are unique in that the classroom and campus changes based on the location of the program. The J-Terms consist of 17-21 day academic and cultural courses led by IAU faculty and include 24/7 staff support. The seminars are thematic in nature and involve travel through multiple countries. During the program, students have access to a variety of spaces including partner institutions, hotel conference rooms, lecture halls, and museums in which to conduct coursework and lectures. Students are housed in hotels or residence halls in each city. Breakfast is included.
Duration
Late December, 2026 - Mid-January, 2027
Costs
Contact the program sponsor for updated cost
Costs included: tuition for 3 credits, lodging, insurance, entrance fees to all museums and guest lecture venues, Intra-European transportation to and from each city, breakfast daily and some dinners.
Costs not included: airfare, personal expenses, some meals
Students who enroll in a January Term Seminar and the spring semester in Aix-en-Provence consecutively are eligible to receive a $2,000 grant credited to their spring semester invoice. In order to be eligible to receive the grant, students must participate in the Early Start Program during the week between the end of the January Term Seminar and the start of the spring semester. The Early Start Program allows students to move in with their French hosts a week before the semester begins, receive French language instruction, and participate in local cultural activities! Visit IAU's Scholarship website for additional details.
Application Deadline: September 15, 2026
Eligibility Requirements:
Minimum GPA: 2.5
Once applicants apply through CCIS and get accepted, all applicants are required to complete IAU's online application.
Students are also responsible for submitting the following application materials to IAU once accepted:
Once an application is complete, students can expect a response within 2 weeks. Admission is granted on a rolling basis before the application deadlines outlined below. For questions about an application, please contact studyab@csi.cuny.edu.
“My experience going abroad through IAU has been nothing shy of extraordinary. I went into it not knowing any of my classmates, but the professors immediately made us all feel welcome. We soon began traveling in a foreign country and with every new excursion we all became such close travel companions. Being in that type of environment forces you to step outside of your comfort zone and open yourself up to new cultures and experiences. Having been a part of this program has not only benefited my knowledge of the world, but created unique memories with people I wouldn't have otherwise met, that I will forever cherish. If you're looking for personal growth with a side of adventure, IAU abroad is your next step.”
This program is for students interested in learning about modern diplomacy and the people who make it happen.
IAU’s Mediterranean Basin January Term Traveling Seminar is designed for students interested in an academic and cultural experience in Italy and Greece.
The Europe and the Islamic World Seminar is designed for students interested in an academic and cultural experience in France, Spain, and Morocco.
