2025 Summer Programs in Europe
Belgium
The European and Global Internship Program in Brussels
Gain an understanding of Public Administration and International Affairs, Strategic Communications, Public Diplomacy, and Media in a European and international context in the heart of the European Union. Students will pursue a seven-week internship within intergovernmental institutions such as the European Parliament or the Council of Europe, international NGOs, media organizations, lobbies or think tanks in Brussels. In addition, you will participate in weekly seminars with guest lectures by high level European and international officials. (3 or 6 credits; COM 470, IRP 370/670 (IR students only), IPA 470, PAI 670, or PRL 530/635)
England
Customize your summer program in London by choosing from an array of courses or travel across England on our Green Britain Seminar. To take full advantage of the city, most of your courses will feature field trips and excursions. (3-6 credits)
Mix and match your summer abroad and complete an internship in London! Get some professional experience in a major international city with our 5 or 8-week summer internship program. Summer internships are available in a variety of fields, including business, communications, education, music, and technology. (3 credits; BUA 400)
France
Engineering Research Projects in Strasbourg
Students in all major areas of engineering have an opportunity to conduct research projects at the Institut National des Sciences Appliquées (INSA). No prior language knowledge is required, although a basic knowledge of French is desirable. (3 credits; ECS/MAE 490/690)
The First Amendment & Freedom of Religion: A Global Perspective
Focusing on both European and non-European jurisdictions, this course (taught at the Syracuse Strasbourg Center) will introduce you to contemporary debates about the role of religion in public and political life, and familiarize you with critical human and women’s rights issues. You will also discuss contemporary multicultural and pluri-legal challenges to universal human rights values and principles. This course can be combined with the Summer Internships in Strasbourg program or the French for Diplomacy program. (3 credits; IRP/MES/PSC 400.1/600.1)
The Summer Pre-Law Program in Europe is designed to introduce students interested in pursuing legal careers to key concepts, topics and methods in study and practice of law from comparative and international perspectives. Students will take two courses, one in the morning and one in the afternoon: the Legal Foundations and Skills course will help students master strategies for taking standardized tests for law school admissions, write their personal statements, help them gain critical skills to succeed in Law School and network with American and European legal experts and scholars. The second course will introduce students to international human rights law and discourses. Students will attend talks by guest speakers and visit international courts and high courts in various locales throughout the region. (3 credits, LSP 400/600 + PSC 400/600)
Global Perspectives in Alcohol & Other Drug Policies
This seminar course studies public health and harm reduction focused drug polices and their supporting evidence. Drug policies are compared between European countries Canada and the US. As the world becomes more interconnected through globalization and technology, new strategies and international cooperation are needed to solve complex problems such as substance use, addictive behaviors and associated harms. This course examines global approaches to harm reduction, prevention and drug monitoring with an emphasis on European best practices. Students will engage in site visits to observe harm reduction programs, public health monitoring methods, prevention services, and public safety strategies. Guest speakers include current and former leaders in European drug policy and innovators in harm reduction and prevention. (3 credits, PHP 412/612)
Community Internships in Strasbourg
An ideal gateway to the fascinating political landscape of the new Europe, Strasbourg is home to the Council of Europe, the European Court of Human Rights, and the Parliament of the European Union. You’ll discover the historical and cultural layers of old Europe in this welcoming and walkable city by taking on an internship with a local business in Strasbourg. Expand your working knowledge of the French language, acquire international work experience, and learn first-hand about French cultural norms through this immersive internship experience. (3 credits; FRE/IPA/PSC 470/670)
Intern at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France – an experience unique to Syracuse University students! Applications required; placements are recommended for graduate and advanced undergraduate students interested in human rights, governance, diplomacy, and international relations. (3 credits; FRE/IPA/PSC 470/670)
Italy
The Florence Summer Session allows you to customize your program according to your interests and desire for exploration. To enhance your learning experience, most courses feature field trips and excursions within Florence and to locations outside the city. Internships are also available. (3-7 credits)
Inclusive Schools and Societies: Lessons from the Italian Context
This two-week immersion course is intended to foster students’ understandings of inclusion and diversity in Italian schools, institutes of higher education, and communities through a combination of language study, community-based research projects, lectures, school and museum visits, readings, and discussion seminars. With a home base at Villa Meleto in Tuscany, students will visit schools, universities, and cultural and historical sites in other regions including Florence, Padua, Venice, and Rome. (3 credits, EDU 400/600)
Italian Film Studies in Bologna
Attend the world’s most famous classic film festival, Cinema Ritrovato, while immersing yourself in all aspects of film. Based on a total filmmaker/film studies approach, this intensive program combines the study of film history, visual strategy, preproduction planning, and production. The Italian Cinema class will give you a broad perspective on Italian Neorealism and its legacy—from filmmakers such as Rossellini and Fellini to contemporary filmmakers. Film projects are done in groups of two or three, with a focus on filmmaking. The goals are to engage in creative and ongoing dialogue with your new surroundings and to reduce the gap between reality and perception through use of the film medium. During the program students will also have an opportunity to learn survival Italian, explore Bologna, and travel to regional cities and villages. (3 credits, FIL 400/600)
Multi-city
Olympic Odyssey (UK, France, Switzerland, Greece)
Trace the history and culture of the Olympic movement through some of its most significant sites in Europe. Your odyssey begins in London, where you’ll examine the impact of the 2012 Summer Olympics. From there you’ll visit Paris, the birthplace of the modern Olympic movement and the host city of the 2024 Summer Olympics! Then you’ll head to Lausanne, the present-day “Olympic Capital” that has been home to the International Olympic Committee, Olympic Museum, and various International Sport Federations. You’ll end in the ancient city of Olympia to visit the sites of the ancient Olympics, as well as Athens, host of the first modern Olympics and the 2004 Summer Games. Along the way you’ll meet with Olympic organizations to understand international sports from governance, economic, cultural, historical, and strategic management perspectives. (3 credits, SPM 357)
Spain
Create your own program by choosing from an array of courses in a variety of subject areas, including Spanish, LGBT Studies, and Psychology. Travel around Spain, visit Madrid’s art museums, and attend the theater and concerts. Or, experience the Spanish workplace by doing an internship with a local business. (3-6 credits)