France

'Studying abroad has been a really positive experience for me. I would definitely recommend it to anybody. I've opened up the way to post-university options and careers I would never otherwise have thought of.'

'I joined a samba band and a rowing team and travelled a whole lot and have been to the theatre and concerts and bars and cinemas. I moved to an apartment which I shared with six French people. All this has made my year abroad a real adventure and has benefitted my French no end.'

If you choose to study abroad, we strongly recommend that you go as an Erasmus exchange student. If you spend the whole year as an Erasmus exchange student, you currently do not pay fees to UEA. This is reviewed annually. You normally receive an Erasmus grant and study full-time. You can still receive your student loan while abroad.

We have exchange agreements with the following French universities and the Ecole de Traduction et d'Interprétation in Geneva for students of interpreting and translation (www.unige.ch/): Clermont Ferrand (www.univ-bpclermont.fr/), Corte in Corsica (www.univ-corse.fr/), Montpelier 3 (www.univ-montp3.fr/), Nice  (unice.fr), Nancy 2 (www.univ-nancy2.fr/), Paris (www.isit-paris.fr/), Pau (www.univ-pau.fr/), Toulouse 2 (www.univ-tlse2.fr/), Tours (www.univ-tours.fr/).

You can of course study for the whole year as an independent student at a non-partner university which might appeal if you want to experience France outre-mer: La Réunion, Guadeloupe, Martinique, for example. Applications to French universities are made by the end of April of your second year. 

Geneva

'I have gained a great deal from going to Geneva: you benefit both academically (the standard in the department is second to none) - and many of the lecturers are/have been professional translators, either working for one of the international institutions or freelance, so you gain greater insights into being a translator.'

'I had the best time of my life there - the standard of teaching at ETI is excellent and the provision of courses for English native speakers is good. I made a lot of contacts at the UN, CERN and various NGOs in Geneva which could be useful for the future ... I met some fantastic people from many different countries and cultures and have learnt to love the 'continental' student way of life. I would recommend Geneva, especially to anyone thinking of a career in translating or interpreting.'

The School of Language and Communication Studies has an agreement for exchange of students with the Ecole de Traduction et d'Interprétation and we encourage students of translation to spend the 'French' half of the year abroad there. Your application would be made in the same way as those applying for Erasmus places, and you may receive a small Erasmus grant and a tuition fee waiver.  This is reviewed annually. More information on www.unige.ch.