Develop French language skills for public health through cultural immersion and experiential learning activities on the tropical island of Madagascar.
3
4 semesters French
French
Intermediate, Advanced
Dec 28 – Jan 16
Antananarivo, Madagascar
Development | Economy | Inequality
Development & Inequality
Global Health & Well-being
This program, aimed at students and professionals in health-related fields, will provide you with resources for building French language skills for public health, with an emphasis on topics such as epidemiology, biostatistics, global health, and mental health, among others.
Your program will be delivered through a three-credit immersion course in Antananarivo, Madagascar, which will employ experiential learning opportunities and lessons in grammar and vocabulary related to the program theme. Discussion sessions will provide opportunities to practice and develop French language skills for use in medical contexts and other practical healthcare scenarios.
Antananarivo, the economic capital of Madagascar, has the most advanced network of professionals in medical and public health services on the island. While in Tana, you will have opportunities to practice your French through interactions with medical and public health professionals. You will also visit urban and rural health care centers in Andasibe and the surrounding area, where you will examine intercultural healthcare systems for the local community and learn about the challenges facing rural health care workers. In both Antananarivo and Andasibe, you will live with a host family to advance your French outside of the classroom.
SIT is also offering a supplementary online French Language for Health Sciences course during the fall semester.
4 semesters of college-level French, students are recommended to complete SIT's summer online component first, or have the equivalent of 4 semesters of college level French when starting the J-term program.
During this three-week course in Antananarivo, Madagascar’s capital city, you will be grouped in a small class based on a written and oral proficiency evaluation. Hone your speaking, reading, and writing skills through classroom activities, excursions, individual study, the homestay family experience, and lectures related to public health, with built-in feedback sessions included. Read professional health science literature and learn formal terms and local expressions needed to discuss health and healthcare issues.
Please note that SIT will make every effort to maintain its programs as described. To respond to emergent situations, however, SIT may have to change or cancel programs.
The following syllabi are representative of this program. Because courses develop and change over time to take advantage of dynamic learning opportunities, actual course content will vary from term to term.
French for Health Sciences – syllabus
(FREN-2003-3503 / 3 credits)
Your home base will be with a host family in the capital, Antananarivo, often referred to as Tana, a beautiful city built on hills, with buzzing open-air markets, and distinct neighborhoods reflecting a mix of 19th century Malagasy and more recent European influences. Your family will introduce you to the warmth and generosity of Malagasy life. You will also have a homestay in the rural area of Andasibe.
While not in homestay, accommodations include campsites and small hotels.
