The semester includes an orientation program and informal meetings and dinners with faculty. Dijon is located at the head of the French wine region of Burgundy, one of the world's most important viticultural areas and one of the most scenic and historic regions of France. Students take intensive French language courses at the Conseil International d'Etudes Francophones, a part of the University of Burgundy, and engage in a wide range of field trips and cultural fieldwork in and around Dijon, Paris, the Loire valley, Strasbourg, and Provence. Students live with French-speaking host families, making this an ideal opportunity to acquire or improve their mastery of French while taking courses on the culture and society of modern France. The Lafayette faculty members help students with problems they may encounter in living with their host family, local transportation, or other aspects of adjustment to a new culture and living environment.
Students can travel on their own and integrate themselves into the new culture.
In addition to the faculty-led programs, Lafayette has affiliations with many colleges and other organizations that allow students to study abroad in many countries. Grades and financial aid are fully transferable. Lafayette students are currently studying abroad through programs at Butler University, Skidmore College, St. Lawrence University, and Syracuse University. Other current study destinations in Europe include Paris, Florence, Maastricht, Madrid and Seville. In addition, this is the 23 rd year in which Lafayette is offering concentrated, three-week courses abroad during the interim session between regular semesters.