<p>So how is Carleton for romance languages? I'm particularly interested in literature courses and study abroad. The web site video features a program in Mali that looks awsome.</p>
<p>I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about the Mali program. The Paris program is supposed to be good too.</p>
<p>I’ve only taken one French class at Carleton (well, two five-week courses: 340 The Arts of Brevity and 341 Madame Bovary, both with the same professor) – both with a focus on literature – and it was a lot of fun. I can’t speak for the lower-level classes but 340/341 was immersion, which can take some getting used to if you’re not used to it.</p>
<p>My daughter is doing a concentration (minor) in French - she started in 101 and will be going to Mali next term. The Mali program is led by a professor who is a native of Mali and students stay in homes. So far she’s had opportunities to speak French in Europe (European Political Economy program in Maastricht), Montreal (vacation trip), and soon Africa! From what she’s mentioned, she thinks pretty highly of the French professors.</p>
<p>Likewise, my daughter ('12) has taken three French courses in her first 4 trimester terms, and has terrific things to say about the program. She will be studying in Paris the third trimester this year, and is trying to arrange for an internship in creative writing (poetry) that will allow her to stay through the summer. The reputation of the Mali program is quite good, and she is trying to put together a schedule that allows her to take advantage of this opportunity as well. FYI … she is not a French major.</p>