Academic year program - Semester program

Academic information

Academic credit for all work completed at the University of Fribourg is duly recognized and accepted by North American institutions. Courses taken in Fribourg are compiled on an official University transcript (using ECTS credits) which is sent to the home institution of the student upon completion of his/her studies.

The program accommodates students majoring in a variety of disciplines: French language and literature, German language and literature, philology, international studies, economics, history, English linguistics, English literature, English philology and linguistics, social sciences, humanities, education, business, international law, theology, philosophy, even natural sciences, biology, etc. Students with any major can participate in the program, however it may be difficult to satisfy some core requirements for home institutions. Prior to enrollment, all students should discuss their particular academic situation with the Executive Director of the American College Program, as well as with their own advisor or dean. In all cases, students are encouraged to gain signed approval for courses before departing for Switzerland.

The American College Program offers three possibilities for academic year study abroad: there is the Academic-Year Program, the Autumn Semester Program and the Spring Semester Program. The goal of the program is to maximize language acquisition and optimize cultural immersion through the structure of a solid academic experience. These goals are best achieved over the course of one academic year. From experience in study abroad it has been observed that students learn the most and integrate best when they have the luxury of time. Most students find it takes them the first few months to develop language proficiency. Many students also discover that their ability to make friends in the local community is a direct reflection of their linguistic ability and familiarity with Swiss culture. However, as not all students have the possibility to go abroad for an entire academic year, there is also the option to come for one semester only.

Academic Year Program: Students arrive in Switzerland in early-September, have a land tour, take a two-week intensive language and orientation course, and enroll in academic courses at the University for the autumn semester, which begins in the second week of September and continues to the third week of December (some exam periods may extend into January please contact the ACP office for more specific information). During the academic holidays, which last until mid-February, students may travel on their own or return to the United States. The spring semester lasts from mid-February until the end of May.

Spring Semester Program: Students arrive in Switzerland in early February, have a land tour, take a two-week intensive language and orientation course, and enroll in academic courses at the University for the spring semester, which lasts from mid-February until the end of May (some exam sessions may extend in to June, please contact the ACP office for more specific information).

Autumn Semester Program: Students arrive in Switzerland in early-September, have a land tour, take a two-week intensive language and orientation course, and enroll in academic courses at the University for the autumn semester, which begins in the third week of September and continues to the third week of December (some exam periods may extend into January please contact the ACP office for more specific information).

The program is a full-time study-abroad offering. This means that most students take an average of 30 ECTS credit hours of classes for the Autumn Semester Program, Spring Semester Program, or a total of 60 ECTS credits for the Academic Year Program. Students are obliged to register for a course load of at least 30 ECTS credits per semester. Most colleges and universities will accept transfer credit only for final grades of "C" or higher, so it is especially important for students to maintain good academic standing throughout their year in Switzerland.