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Martinique

Program Description

The Martinique Program targets students interested in French, in the Caribbean as an area of study, and in the African diaspora. Martinique, as a french département, is part of the European Union, yet is located in the Caribbean. The program explores the apparent paradox of this unique status and the resulting cultural developments. Students will enhance their French language skills and gain new perspectives on French Creole cultures.

Location

Most daily activities will take place in the capital city and main port, Fort-de-France, and in the neighboring town of Schoelcher, where the Université des Antilles et de la Guyane (UAG) is located. These areas are home to nearly half the island's 375,000 inhabitants. and offer unique urban neighborhoods next to a bustling town center and more tranquil districts on the hills overlooking the sea. Students will visit St. Pierre - the former capital destroyed by the 1902 Pélée volcano explosion - a mangrove swamp, the rain forest, former plantations, sites of historic importance, and beaches. Optional hiking and scuba diving will be offered, including a possible ascent of Mont Pélée. A visit to Dominica, the independent island nation just north of Martinique that is a center for eco-tourism, will take place. Internships during the last two weeks of the program may take some students to smaller towns around the island.