Academic year program - Semester program

Coursework in Fribourg

Perhaps the greatest advantage of the American College Program is that students directly enroll at a prestigious Swiss University. What this means is that they follow courses and take exams with their Swiss and international counterparts. For most students this represents a significant linguistic challenge, especially at the beginning of the academic year. As can be imagined, the advantages of integration with regular students far outweigh the disadvantages of an American "ghetto effect." The integration allows for faster and more intense assimilation of French and/or German, and simultaneously aids the students in cultural integration and understanding.

At the University of Fribourg, courses appropriate to students' major or other academic requirements generally differ between lectures and seminars. Requirements for both types vary: while lectures usually include reading assignments and  end-of-term exams, seminars may ask for a paper, an exam and/or a presentation in conjunction with regular reading assignments. 

In addition to regular University classes, the American College Program offers special supplemental courses to aid the students with language acquisition. The precise course offerings change each semester and sometimes depend on the linguistic needs of the group. All supplemental courses are taught at the University of Fribourg. Occasionally, special courses will be offered by visiting professors and lecturers.

Typically, students on the program take some supplemental language courses to help them increase their language skills and/or to satisfy academic requirements at home. There are courses taught at the Language Centre of the University of Fribourg. Students in need of additional language study may take as many supplemental language courses as they can enroll for and can select the rest of their coursework from regular offerings at the University.