The Bridge Connect Act program provides traditional semester- or year-long study, internship, and service-learning opportunities in many countries. BCA programs are ideal for language students who want to strengthen their skills. French majors should consider taking part in BCA's programs in Nancy or Strasbourg, France. Spanish majors can study in Ecuador, Mexico or Spain.

Additional information can be found on the BCA Website or by contacting Professor Simone Pilon, Director of International Studies.

Strasbourg, France

Overview: BCA Strasbourg immerses students in the language and culture of France. Depending on their language ability, BCA students take courses taught in French by faculty from the University of Strasbourg or enroll directly at the university. It is recommended that students have completed four semesters of college-level French before studying in Strasbourg.

Institution: The University of Strasbourg is a large public institution with 40,000 students. The university comprises three distinct institutions: Marc Bloch University, which houses the Institut International d'Etudes Françaises; Robert Schuman University, home to the Institut d'Etudes Politiques; and Louis Pasteur University.

Housing: Students may live with French host families or in university dorms.

Course offerings: Before regular classes start, all BCA fall semester students take a four-credit Stage course, which is a review of the French language combined with studies in literature, European institutions, history or media. For the regular semester, students choose from hundreds of classes throughout the university. Most BCA students take at least some classes at the IIEF, the university's institute for foreigners.

Semester: The program is offered during the fall and spring semesters. There is a separate summer program.

GPA requirement: Applicants must have a minimum 2.6 GPA and four semesters of college-level French is recommended.

Information about Strasbourg: Strasbourg has all the excitement of a bustling international city, but maintains the charm of a medieval town. Internet cafes are tucked into streets that look much as they did 500 years ago, and medieval neighborhoods abut sleek new commercial districts. Located in the heart of Europe, Strasbourg is a train ride away from Paris, Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium and Switzerland. Strasbourg boasts an active cultural scene, including an opera, a ballet, a national theater company, and numerous museums.

Other information: Meals are included in the BCA fee. Students receive a monthly stipend to purchase meals at the university cafeterias or buy their own groceries. Students receive a monthly stipend to purchase meals at the university cafeterias or to buy their own groceries.

Xalapa, Mexico

Overview: At BCA Xalapa, students pursue a high-quality education in a rich, multicultural setting at the University of Veracruz. All classes are taught in Spanish by Mexican professors.

Institution: Founded in 1944, the University of Veracruz is one of Mexico's leading state universities. A wide array of academic options is available to the university's 25,000 students, including 53 undergraduate majors and 70 graduate programs.

Housing: Students live with host Mexican families.

Course offerings: All BCA Mexico students participate in BCA's program in cultural orientation and intensive language instruction prior to the start of regular classes. After completing this pre-semester course, students go to Xalapa, where they choose their courses in conjunction with the BCA resident director. Students with sufficient language skills may enroll directly in regular university courses; others take courses offered through the university's Escuela para Estudiantes Extranjeros.

Semester: The program is offered during the fall and spring semesters.

GPA requirement: Applicants must have a minimum 2.6 GPA and two semesters of college-level Spanish.

Information about Xalapa: Nestled in the foothills of an extinct volcano at an altitude of over 4,000 feet, Xalapa is located in the Sierra Madre Mountains in Southern Mexico. The city was established in 1313 as a market town and boasts fine examples of Colonial architecture. Now home to 600,000 people, the city is the capital and cultural center for the state of Veracruz.

Other information: Almost everything in Xalapa is within walking distance. However, the cost of transportation is not expensive. Students can expect to spend $10-20 on transportation per month.

Quito, Ecuador

Overview: At BCA Quito, students improve their Spanish language skills while experiencing and learning about Ecuadorian culture.

Institution: The University of San Francisco Quito is structured like a U.S. university. It operates on a semester system and students may either apply for a semester or year course of study. Of the 2,500 students who attend the university, approximately 10 percent of them are international students. International students have access to all of the amenities that are available to full-degree students.

Housing: Students live with middle-class Ecuadorian families. Each student has a single private room in the home.

Course offerings: As part of the orientation for the fall semester, BCA operates an academic credit four-week pre-semester course entitled Ecuador: Language and Culture. After completing this pre-semester course, students may choose to take additional Spanish language courses or, if appropriate, enroll in regular university courses in about 20 different disciplines.

Semester: Fall and spring semesters.

GPA requirement: Note that applicants must have a minimum 2.6 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale) and have completed at least two semesters of college-level Spanish.

Information about Quito: Blending modern and traditional culture, Quito has also been influenced by a variety of cultures: Spanish, indigenous, U.S., and northern European. You'll see stark contrasts, for example, between colonial and modern architecture. The capital of Ecuador, Quito lies at 9,000 feet above sea level in a high valley at the base of Mount Pichincha. Its climate has been described as eternally spring.

Other information: During orientation, the BCA director emphasizes the importance of health and safety. BCA provides wallet-sized cards with a list of emergency numbers. BCA also provides BCA Quito students with cell phones, but the students are responsible for paying for the phone use.

Barcelona, Spain

Overview: At BCA Barcelona, students are immersed in the language and culture of one of Europe's most beautiful Mediterranean cities, and study at one of the most highly regarded universities in Spain. They can choose to take special BCA courses taught exclusively in Spanish by full and associate professors at the University of Barcelona, or they may choose to take a combination of BCA courses and regular university courses, or choose to take only regular courses.

Institution: Founded in 1450, the University of Barcelona is one of Spain's largest and most highly regarded educational institutions. Some 90,000 students are enrolled annually in a variety of degree programs on four campuses in Barcelona.

Course offerings: Students with a solid background in Spanish may enroll alongside Spanish students in regular university courses. BCA students may also choose classes taught in Spanish especially for BCA by full and associate professors at the University of Barcelona.

Semester: Fall and spring semesters

GPA requirement: Successful applicants will have a GPA of 2.6 or higher, and at least four semesters of college-level Spanish.

Information about Barcelona: Today, Barcelona is one of the most progressive and industrial cities in the world. With a population of 1.5 million, Barcelona is a bustling city spilling over with activity. You'll find fabulous architecture, gorgeous beaches, and all the cafes, museums, and galleries you could ask for.

Other information: The BCA program begins with a pre-semester period that includes a five-day orientation and an intensive course on Spanish language and culture that includes grammar classes, conversation sessions and classes on Spanish art and history.