Strasbourg

The Strasbourg Field Study and Internship Program is a French-language program centered on a full-time internship or research placement as the means for linguistic immersion, cross-cultural learning, a better understanding of a chosen subject, and personal growth.

Strasbourg students at the IFE center

Fully immersive, unforgettable semester! This experience gave me so much vocabulary and so much cultural insight! I am currently a PhD candidate in French Studies, and in many ways my semester in Strasbourg opened the door to graduate school. I still reference my notes from the preparatory session!

Emily. French, History

IFE students meet students from the University of Strasbourg

FRENCH POLITICS AND THE EVOLVING STATE, SINCE NAPOLEON

This course provides students with a basic understanding of the long, evolving construction of the French State. The history of this construction is one of conflict and constant change. The course focuses on changing institutions as a way to understand the political struggles out of which the State arose.

Class discussion plays an important role in this course, as students are encouraged to interact with the material to help them grasp the subject matter, but also as a way to analyze events in general and to discover the value of historical analysis.

(Syllabus)

FRANCE IN THE WORLD SINCE 1945

The course provides a systematic view of French foreign policy and foreign policy debate, since the end of the Second World War. French diplomacy played an extremely important role in the world right from the beginning of international politics in the 17th century. Against that backdrop, the period since 1945 is usually seen as a decline in French international power and influence, in favor first of the United States and then of Europe.

(Syllabus)

FRENCH SOCIETY: PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS

This course provided students with the key to understanding French society: the paradox between the democratic ideal that is at the foundation of all the institutions of modern, post-revolutionary France on one hand and, on the other, the current crisis of those institutions – and even of deep societal values. This crisis is seen to be provoked by the pressures of global economic liberalism and the transformations taking place in Europe and in its Union.

Through this course students become familiar with the effects these pressures are having on the specific institutionalized relations which exist between French citizens and their culture, work, education, immigration and other facets of life and society.

(Syllabus)

GLOBALIZATION: HISTORICAL, CRITICAL AND FRENCH SOCIETAL PERSPECTIVES

The course is structured by three main analytical stand-points. The first is the history of the process now known as globalization, a history still under debate. The second perspective comprises a look at the main features of the phenomenon of globalization: intensification of worker mobility and migration; vastly increased capital flows as well as flows of goods and services; and the significant increase in information exchange or cultural globalization. The third point of view is that of the main actors of globalization – States, international organizations, NGOs and transnational movements, multinational corporations – whose roles are transformed by the effects of globalization.

(Syllabus)

Thérèse Krempp

Holding degrees from the Sorbonne and the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences (EHESS), Thérèse Krempp is a specialist of the First World War and the societal upheavals resulting from four years of war. Currently she is researching wartime discovery of difference and otherness, drawing on the model of military-scientific expeditions of the 19th century. A recognized expert in her field, Thérèse publishes her findings in specialized journals as well as being called upon for expertise in museum exhibits or publications for the general public.

Yauheni Kryzhanouski

Yauheni holds a PhD in Political Science from the University of Strasbourg, with a specialization in comparative politics, European affairs and international relations. Yauheni is a researcher associated with the University of Strasbourg’s research institute SAGE (Society, Actors, and Government in Europe) as well as with the Study Center for Russian, Caucasian and Central European Societies (CERCEC) of the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences (Paris). He has taught at the University of Strasbourg, Sciences Po Strasbourg, and the European Humanities University (Vilnius). His research interests include protest and censure in contemporary authoritarian regimes, the role of European organizations, and the transnational dissemination of political practices.

Jean Zoungrana

Holding a doctorate in Philosophy as well as a degree in Social Sciences from the University of Strasbourg, Jean Zoungrana is Associate Professor in Social Science Research at the University of Strasbourg in the program “Social Practices and Development”. His research focuses on the sociology of knowledge as well as on social work, where he is currently conducting research on social policies and social intervention. He is also interested in forms of citizen participation. At IFE Jean teaches a course on issues and perspectives in contemporary French society.

Strasbourg students during their internships: Genetics laboratory / Agricultural association / Linguistic research center

I’m grateful to have had this chance to work with the team at Rue89 Strasbourg. Thanks to them I got the bug for journalism and a glimpse into the real impact it has on communities.

Millicent (Millie). French, International Relations

Across the River Rhine from Germany, the capital city of Alsace offers a broad urban canvas of contemporary France. Its many and diverse neighborhoods offer student interns great opportunity for social and cultural involvement. Bi-cultural Strasbourg is home to the European Parliament, the Council of Europe and other Europe-focused organizations that add to the range of potential placements.

The regional level is where policy is implemented in France; student-interns in Strasbourg enjoy opportunities in environmental affairs, public health, education, immigration and integration, among other areas.

The University of Strasbourg is a leading European university and a source of not only talented teachers but also a range of student research opportunities in science laboratories and social science research institutes. In addition, IFE’s network for research internships includes The Institut d’Etudes Politiques, the Strasbourg National School of Architecture, national research bodies such as the CNRS, INSERM, or INRA with joint-labs at the University of Strasbourg, as well as the many organizations working on European affairs.

The internship experience was very related to medicine, my interest, and the connections I formed there led to a Fulbright research grant two years later at the same lab of my original internship. The experience I had with IFE was invaluable to my professional goals in the medical field.

Andrew. Biology, French

Oral defense of internship paper: Catherine, on the protection against inforced or involuntary disappereance in ASEAN

WHAT IS THE CONNECTION, CONCRETELY, BETWEEN RESEARCH AND INTERNSHIP?

A lengthy, engaged internship presents a unique opportunity for access to data, interviews, documents, and other key sources of information and insight that would otherwise go untapped.

Also, a student-intern who performs pertinent research while on the job becomes a more engaged and knowledgeable intern.

Internship opens up research access; research makes the internship experience more valuable.

Finally, some internship placements themselves are focused on research, whether in science labs, social science institutes, think tanks or policy centers.

HOW IS THE RESEARCH TOPIC CHOSEN?

Once student-interns are comfortable on the job, they consult with their internship mentor and their research advisor to develop a topic of value and interest to the student-intern and to the host organization.

WHO ARE THE IFE RESEARCH ADVISORS?

IFE pairs each student with a university teacher, researcher, or professional in the student’s field. Research advisors are trained by IFE in the nature and format of the project.

DO STUDENTS FIND IT DIFFICULT TO WRITE A LONG PAPER IN A SECOND LANGUAGE?

Students are in class and on the job for many weeks before they begin to draft their paper. During that time - in class at first and then on the job - they have carried out a number of written assigments in the host language. Advisors and IFE staff are available to help.

SUMMING UP

Combining guided field research with a lengthy internship experience enhances both.

(Course Syllabus - Research)

DATES 

Asturias

SPRING 2025: January 20 - May 23

FALL 2025: August 20 - December 19

Marseille - Paris - Strasbourg

SPRING 2025: January 16 - May 23

FALL 2025: August 20 - December 19

Application Deadlines

For Fall semester programs: April 10th

For Spring semester programs: October 10th

PROGRAM COST

Tuition fee : 7950 €

(for all Field Study and Internship Programs - Asturias, Marseille, Paris & Strasbourg)

This covers:

• Full participation in all required program elements as well as in IFE-sponsored co-curricular events and activities.
• Mandatory insurance
• Housing service
• Fee for a transfer transcript (if required by sending institution).

This does not cover:

• Room and board
• Airfare and visa fees
• Medical insurance

Please note:

• For many of IFE’s partner institutions, IFE bills program costs directly to the institution. Students at these institutions continue to pay home tuition.
• For students paying IFE program costs directly, some need-based financial aid is available for those cases where there is a difference between the total cost of a semester at IFE (tuition, room and board) and the total cost of a semester on the home campus. Contact admissions@ife-edu.eu with questions. 

HOUSING COSTS

Asturias

• Homestays with full meal plan: 3280 €

Marseille

• Studio in a student residence without meals: 3900 €
• Homestays with some meals: approx. 3700 €

Paris

• Student residences without meals (with kitchen access): 3400 €
• Student residences with partial meal plans (10-13 meals/month + breakfast): 3800 €
• Female-only residences with partial meal plans (20 meals/month + breakfast): 4500 €
• Female-only residences without meals (with kitchen access): 2200 € 
• Homestays with some meals: approx. 5000 €

Strasbourg

• Student residences without meals (with kitchen access): 3200 €
• Homestays with some meals: 2500 € - 2900 €