Institute for Global Studies
214 Social Sciences
269 19th Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Phone: 612-624-9007
Fax: 612-626-2242
E-mail: igs@umn.edu

FLIP: Foreign Language Immersion Program

What is FLIP?

The Foreign Language Immersion Program (FLIP) is designed to provide undergraduates with the opportunity to register for a full semester of courses taught in one of three foreign languages. It is intended to benefit students who want to utilize their knowledge of a second language as part of their academic program. FLIP is especially beneficial for students returning from studies abroad or planning to study overseas.

Languages offered through FLIP

What is required to enroll in FLIP?

FLIP students must be at least in their third year of language instruction and have the equivalent of French 3015, or German 3011, or Spanish 3015. They should have passed their last language course with at least a B and must have a letter of recommendation from a language instructor they have had within the last year. Students who have acquired their language overseas may be qualified to participate in this program. If you are uncertain as to whether you qualify for admission, contact April Knutson, FLIP coordinator, at knut001@umn.edu.

What can I gain from this program?

In many cases, students who have spent a great deal of time and money acquiring fluency in a foreign language face the frustration of not being able to use those hard-won skills. By participating in FLIP, you will be able to use your listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in your language area while studying subjects in the social sciences and humanities. This program will also try to create opportunities for social interaction with other speakers of French, German, and Spanish in order to provide you further opportunities to use your second language.

What privileges do I receive?

  • You are eligible to be nominated for the Joyce Eckman Davis Scholarship to be awarded to one FLIP student every spring semester!
  • An additional CLA credit in Global Studies: Global Studies 3906, FLIP completed, S/N, 1 credit
  • A certificate of your participation in the FLIP

How do I sign up for FLIP?

  1. Choose a minimum of 13 credits from the FLIP offerings
  • FLIP Immersion course (required, 3 credits)
  • FLIP completed (GLOS 3906, 1 credit)
  • Elective courses (9 credits or more from courses listed on the web)
  1. Fill out a brief application, attach a transcript, and send them to FLIP at the Institute for Global Studies.

Applications are available at the FLIP office, at the French, German, and Spanish departments, or from your undergraduate adviser. We can mail you an application, or you can download it (RTF).

Institute for Global Studies
214 Social Sciences Building
267-19th Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55455

October 26, 2006