The study of film is an international endeavor. Although copies of many films are available for viewing on campus, there is no substitute for studying a national cinema in the country in which it was made. Not only does study abroad allow students to acquire knowledge of the language, so as not to have to rely on subtitles while viewing, it provides access to the culture and location that gave rise to the film itself. In addition, access to film festivals and archives abroad provides unparalleled research opportunities. In this time of constant global interchange between national cinemas in both industrial and personal filmmaking, deep exposure to cinemas outside of the US is crucial to an understanding of the medium.

Students planning on Study Abroad as a Five College Film Studies major should speak to their advisors as soon as they become interested. While most students travel during their junior year for either one or two semesters, other options, including summer or J-term study, are possible. Because of the flexibility of our Five College major, finding suitable courses abroad is relatively easy. The one caveat is that students need to be certain that they take at least four 300-level courses to complete the major during their four years of study. If such advanced courses are taken abroad, students must submit all course material, including the syllabus and written work, to their advisers for approval upon returning. (Note that a student may take no more than one 300 level course while abroad.)

For extensive information about Study Abroad at Mount Holyoke, contact the Center for Global Initiatives, particularly the Study Abroad section.  Although students are responsible for finding appropriate programs with the assistance of the Center for Global Initiatives, the advisers in the Film Studies Program can provide suggestions and give advice concerning individual universities and schedules. The program has collected the following list of universities that offer film studies. It is not a complete list nor can we attest to the merits of each program, but it is a place from which to begin.

Asia and Pacific
            Foundation Institute for Media Learning, Delhi, India
            JNU, Delhi, India
            University of New Zealand, Auckland

Europe
            Firenze Arti Visive, Florence, Italy
            Kings College, London, England
            La Femis Film School, Harvard Summer Program in Paris
            Filmcraft Workshop in Prague, Czech Republic, Yale Summer Program
            London Film School, London, England
            National Film and Television School, London, England
            University of Glasgow, Scotland
            University of Kent, Canterbury, England
            University of Nottingham, England
            University of St. Andrews, Scotland

Latin America
            SIT Study Abroad in Cochabamba, Bolivia

North America
            Queens University, Kingston, Canada
            University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada

**Note that although the courses do not count for college credit, the New York Film Academy offers film production courses in cities throughout the world.