The International Seminar Series has sponsored a four week summer community service program in Paris, France for ten years. The Paris program continues. The new Barcelona program will be offered in 2009. Details will be available in September 2008.

Both programs offer students 16-18 years of age an intense cross-cultural immersion experience. They are rooted in substantial work in community service, intensive language training, and course work (literature and writing, history and politics, art and architectural history).

The two sites reflect old and new European traditions. Each is emblematic of a larger national culture. Their citizens struggle with: issues of national identity, new globalization, the presence of immigrant populations. Students learn to become residents of the larger culture, not passive observers or mere visitors.