Beyond the Classroom
Learn languages by living them
Language learning comes alive when you step outside the classroom. In the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures at the University at Buffalo, students build experience through study abroad, internships, research and community engagement.
These experiences help you strengthen language skills, understand cultures more deeply and explore career possibilities around the world and close to home.
Reading literature and studying grammar builds important foundations. But language becomes powerful when you use it with real people in real communities.
Through experiential learning in RLL, students can:
- practice language daily in authentic settings
- connect coursework to global cultures and communities
- explore careers in education, translation, research, law, public service and international work
- gain experience that strengthens graduate school or job applications
- grow personally through new environments and perspectives
These opportunities help students and families see how language degrees lead to meaningful careers and real impact.
There is no single path in Romance Languages and Literatures. Many students combine several experiential opportunities during their undergraduate career.
Students often participate in:
Each experience deepens language skills and cultural understanding while preparing students for future careers.
Explore these opportunities through the options below.
Study abroad
Studying abroad is one of the most powerful ways to build fluency and cultural understanding. Students may study abroad for a summer, semester or academic year.
Live and work in Italy
Italian majors and minors may explore opportunities to live and work in Italy through service or teaching programs.
Funding your experience
The Department of Romance Languages and Literatures and the College of Arts and Sciences offer funding to support experiential learning opportunities. Students are encouraged to explore funding support through:
Students can earn academic credit while gaining hands-on experience with community organizations in Western New York.
RLL 496: Internship or practicum supporting language tutoring and community partnerships.
FR 496: French internship working with cultural institutions and organizations.
SPA 496: Spanish internship applying language skills in professional settings.
Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity
FR 498, ITA 498 and SPA 498
In these courses, students contribute to research and creative projects connected to language, literature and culture. Some projects also include community partnerships with bilingual classrooms in Buffalo schools, such as those at the Herman Badillo Community School and the Frank A. Sedita Community School.
International research experience: Documenting and Analyzing Creole Languages
Students may also participate in international research programs such as the NSF International Research Experience for Students (IRES) focused on documenting and analyzing Creole languages.
In this program, students travel to Mauritius for an immersive field research experience. Participants work with international scholars and local communities to study Mauritian Creole and collect linguistic data from native speakers.
Students gain experience in:
- field-based language research
- collecting and analyzing linguistic data
- experimental or computational research methods
- international research collaboration
The program combines hands-on fieldwork with computational and quantitative research methods while giving students the opportunity to study language in a global context.
Independent Study
FR 499, ITA 499 and SPA 499
Independent study allows students to design a focused research or creative project with faculty mentorship.
Experiential learning across the College of Arts and Sciences
The College of Arts and Sciences encourages students to pursue internships, service learning, research and study abroad.
Experiential learning is one of the most rewarding parts of studying languages and cultures at UB. Whether you want to study abroad, work with community partners or conduct research with faculty, you will find opportunities that help you grow academically and personally.
Department of Romance Languages and Literatures
910 Clemens Hall
University at Buffalo, North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260
Phone: (716) 645-2191
Email: rll-info@buffalo.edu