Funding and Study Abroad
Study Abroad Funding
The department strongly encourages its students to undertake a semester and/or a summer (or more) abroad, in order to gain fluency in their primary foreign language, learn a second foreign language, or pursue further study in the literatures and cultures of these languages. Many opportunities are available for study abroad and it is wise to devote real time to reading all of the Office of International Programs many offerings.
Study Abroad for a Semester or a Year. Most students choose to study abroad for a single term during the junior year; a year abroad is also possible. Two courses per semester abroad may be used to fulfill departmental requirements. Please see the Princeton Office of Study Abroad. There is a wide range of programs to choose from and students are encouraged to investigate all options pertinent to their program of study. The Office of International Programs maintains a list of Approved Semester and Study Abroad Programs, including those in Europe, Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Middle East and North Africa, and Australia and New Zealand.
Summer Study Abroad. There are numerous opportunities for summer study abroad, some partially supported by University funds. A summer abroad can increase fluency in the language of concentration or satisfy the departmental requirement of developing reading knowledge in a second foreign language. For further information about available programs, students should consult Princeton Summer Abroad Study Programs and also the individual language and literature departments. Some other places to look for funding are PIIRS, the Fred Fox Fund, the Dean’s Fund for Study Abroad, and the Dean of the College’s Research Fund. Also see below regarding summer language study.
Summer Work Abroad. Princeton offers some excellent work abroad programs. Please consult the Summer Work Programs, including Princeton-in-France, Princeton-in-Asia, and the Summer Work Abroad in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, among others, to which qualified students from the department are encouraged to apply. You can also search the International Summer Internship Program site by region.
Other Funding
Summer Thesis Research Funds. Juniors may apply for funds to conduct senior thesis research over the summer from the Office of the Dean of the College. Applications are available in early March at their website and due in late March. You must provide a research proposal, a detailed budget, and an evaluation from your senior thesis advisor.
Summer Language Study. The Department of Comparative Literature has funds to be awarded on a competitive basis to majors (i.e., sophomores intending to major in comparative literature and juniors) needing financial help to offset the cost of summer language study (either in the United States or abroad). We need three types of information in connection with your application for funding; you will provide us with the summary and budget, and we will obtain the transcript.
- a one-page explanation of the merits of the particular language program you've chosen and how you'll be able to use that language the following fall.
- a budget of the expenses involved. If you need air travel, look at websites to get estimates. If for research purposes you need something like film development, photocopying, or microfilming, be sure to include that. Please be sure to consult the University Travel site when planning.
- a transcript, which the Registrar provides us when you sign into Comparative Literature.
Please drop off your completed application to the Undergraduate Administrator in 133 East Pyne. Applications are usually due in the second week of April. We will let you know if you have received the award within two weeks.
