Programs by Language
Programs by Language
Language Policy Overview
Barnard recommends that all students planning to study in a non-anglophone country take courses in the host country language before going abroad. The College also recognizes that there is a wide variety of academic motivations to study abroad beyond language study. Students should consult the eligibility requirements for individual programs as listed under approved programs. Use the advanced search option to filter programs by language of instruction.
Review helpful information by language/relevant department below.
Information by Language
Asian and Middle Eastern Cultures Department
Chair: Rachel McDermott
Arabic Language Coordinator, Columbia U: Taoufik Ben-Amor
Programs to consider:
American University in Cairo
CIEE Advanced Arabic Language, Amman, Jordan
French Department
Co-chair: Peter Connor
Co-chair: Anne Boyman
For non-majors/minors
Most approved programs in Francophone countries require the equivalent of 4-5 semesters of college-level language preparation. It is strongly recommended that students complete the language sequence through FREN BC3006 Composition and Conversation (equivalent of fifth semester of French).
Please note that, per the Registrar’s policy, it is not possible to get credit for the same language level already completed at Barnard. For instance, if you have taken Intermediate French I and II (BC1203-1204) at Barnard and are placed into Intermediate French by your study abroad program, you should discuss the possibility of a higher placement with your program. Please be in touch with Barnard Global if necessary.
Some programs to consider if you have less French language preparation:
Sciences Po
Syracuse Strasbourg
SIT Cameroon: Development & Social Change
For majors and minors
Majors and minors are expected to complete the following gateway courses at Barnard:
FREN BC3021-3022 Major French Texts I and II
Recommended program for majors, minors and advanced speakers:
Columbia Reid Hall
German Department
Chair: Erk Grimm
Barnard German Language Program Coordinator: Irene Motyl-Mudretzkyj
For non-majors/minors
Most approved programs in German-speaking countries require the equivalent of 4-5 semesters of college-level language preparation. It is strongly recommended that students complete the language sequence through UN2102 Intermediate German II.
Please note that, per the Registrar’s policy, it is not possible to get credit for the same language level already completed at Barnard. For instance, if you have taken Intermediate German I and II (UN2101-2102) at Columbia-Barnard and are placed into Intermediate German by your study abroad program, you should discuss the possibility of a higher placement with your program. Please be in touch with Barnard Global if necessary.
Some programs to consider if you have less German language preparation:
BCGS Fall Term Program
IES Vienna
Summer: Vienna
For majors and minors
Majors and minors are expected to complete the following gateway courses at Barnard:
Recommended program for majors, minors and advanced speakers:
Berlin Consortium for German Studies
Italian Program
Chair: Nelson Moe
For non-majors/minors
Most approved programs in Italy require the equivalent of 3-4 semesters of college-level language preparation. It is strongly recommended that students complete the language sequence through UN2102 Intermediate Italian II.
Please note that, per the Registrar’s policy, it is not possible to get credit for the same language level already completed at Barnard. For instance, if you have taken Intermediate Italian I and II (UN2101-2102) at Columbia-Barnard and are placed into Intermediate Italian by your study abroad program, you should discuss the possibility of a higher placement with your program. Please be in touch with Barnard Global if necessary.
Some programs to consider if you have less Italian language preparation:
IES programs: Rome and Milan
For majors and minors
Majors and minors are expected to complete the following gateway courses at Barnard:
ITAL UN3333-3334 Introduction to Italian Literature I and II
Recommended program for majors, minors and advanced language speakers:
Bologna Consortial Studies Program
Brown in Bologna
Boston University Padua Italian Studies Program
Asian and Middle Eastern Cultures Department
Chair: Rachel McDermott
Senior Lecturer in Japanese, Columbia U: Fumiko Nazikian
Programs to consider:
Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies
IES Nagoya - Nanzan University
Summer Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies: Classical Japanese
Summer Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies: Modern Japanese
Asian and Middle Eastern Cultures Department
Chair: Rachel McDermott
Director of the Korean Language Program, Columbia U: Joowon Suh
Programs to consider:
Ewha Womans University
Yonsei University
Programs to consider:
Asian and Middle Eastern Cultures Department
Chair: Rachel McDermott
Director of the Chinese Language Program, Columbia U: Lening Liu
Programs to consider:
CIEE Advanced Chinese Studies, Beijing
CIEE Intensive Chinese Language, Beijing
Middlebury Hangzhou
Summer: Columbia in Beijing - Chinese Language
Portuguese Language Program, Columbia University
Director: Jose Antonio Castellanos-Pazos
Programs to consider:
CASA Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Summer: Columbia in Rio
Slavic Department
Chair: Helene Peet Foley
Director of the Russian Language Program, Columbia U: Alla Smyslova
Programs to consider:
Bard Smolny in Saint Petersburg
Middlebury in Moscow, Yaroslavl and Irkutsk
Spanish & Latin American Cultures
Chair: Orlando Betancour
Study Abroad Advisor: Antoni Fernandez Parera
For non-majors/minors
Most approved programs in Spanish-speaking countries require the equivalent of 4-5 semesters of college-level language preparation. It is strongly recommended that students complete the language sequence through SPAN UN3300 Advanced Language through Content (equivalent of fifth semester of Spanish).
All Spanish language and culture courses – even for non-majors and minors – must be reviewed and approved by the Spanish & Latin American Cultures study abroad advisor (listed above). Please note that, per the Registrar’s policy, it is not possible to get credit for the same language level already completed at Barnard. For instance, if you have taken Intermediate Spanish I and II (UN2101-2102) at Barnard and are placed into Intermediate Spanish by your study abroad program, you should discuss the possibility of a higher placement with your program. Please be in touch with Barnard Global if necessary.
Some programs to consider if you have less Spanish language preparation:
CASA Granada, Spain
Syracuse Santiago, Chile
CIEE Liberal Arts Seville, Spain
For majors and minors
Majors and minors are expected to have completed all three bridge courses before studying abroad:
SPAN UN3300 Advanced Language through Content
SPAN UN3349 Hispanic Cultures I
SPAN UN2250 Hispanic Cultures II
Recommended programs for majors, minors and advanced language speakers:
Barnard Faculty-Led Summer Program: Sustainable Communities in Ecuador
CASA programs: Buenos Aires, Argentina; Santiago, Chile; Havana, Cuba; Barcelona, Spain; Seville, Spain
Middlebury in Spain: Córdoba, Getafe (Carlos III), Logroño, Madrid (Autónoma), Madrid (Sede Prim)
IFSA programs: Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru, Lima and Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica