Five study-abroad programs to get excited about

Posted on January 29, 2016 by Janika Carey


JYS-765 Students in Sweet Briar’s JYS in Seville program get immersed in the Spanish culture.


International study is vital to a strong liberal arts education, and at Sweet Briar, that tradition goes way back. For nearly a century, Sweet Briar students have trekked the globe, explored foreign cultures and discovered new perspectives through a wide array of study-abroad opportunities. Choices range from SBC-owned yearlong immersion programs to summer courses organized by affiliated institutions. We encourage every student to participate in what is sure to be the adventure of a lifetime! And yes, scholarships are available.

We’ve highlighted five popular programs here:


  1. JYF in Paris



    JYF in Paris and Nice
    JYF is the oldest coeducational intercollegiate study-abroad program in Paris. Created in 1923 by the University of Delaware, the program has been at Sweet Briar since 1948. In recent years, JYF expanded its offerings to semester, year and summer programs. JYF offers true immersion for students: All classes are taught in French at a university in Paris, and students live with French families. They also participate in internships, volunteering and excursions organized by the program. C’est magnifique!







  1. JYS in Seville



    JYS in Seville
    JYS is a Sweet Briar-operated intensive academic immersion program in Seville, Spain, founded in 1983. JYS is open to men and women studying various majors at any accredited four-year institution in the U.S. for a semester, academic year or summer. Students live with host families, take all classes in Spanish, participate in language exchanges, and may volunteer and intern in a variety of fields. JYS also offers intensive courses in Arabic and Spanish for five weeks during the summer, as well as trips in and around Andalusia. Excelente!







  1. The University of St Andrews



    University of St Andrews
    Sweet Briar has been affiliated with “Scotland’s first university” since the early 1930s. Candidates for study at St Andrews will be considered based on their fields of study and academic records, their capacity for independent work, and their maturity. Although students are advised to spend a full year at the university, St Andrews also offers single-semester study abroad programs. Barrie!

    Another popular option for anglophiles is the Virginia Program at Oxford, a six-week intensive course over the summer at St. Anne’s College in Oxford. Splendid!







  1. Japanese Studies Program at Doshisha Women’s College of Liberal Arts


    Launched in 1992, this fall semester program features Japanese language courses, as well as classes on Japanese culture conducted in English. All students stay with Japanese families whose daughters attend the college. The program is open to any Sweet Briar student, as prior knowledge of Japanese is not required. Doshisha’s campus is located midway between Kyoto, Nara and Osaka, with easy access to these major cultural centers. Tanoshi-sō!







  1. Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies (ICCS)


    The ICCS in Rome was established in 1965 by a Stanford professor. Undergraduate students have the opportunity to study Greek and Latin literature, ancient history, and archaeology and ancient art — right in the heart of Rome. The “Centro” operates two terms each academic year with about 15 weeks of instruction each, including one full term’s academic credit. Fantastico!