French Student Societies, Clubs and Culture
Work hard, study hard, play hard.
Earning a French degree can’t just be about conjugating verbs and reading Victor Hugo. At some point, you need to cut loose and have some fun. That’s why NC State offers outlets for mixing and mingling with people who love the language and culture as much as you do. Whether you join a club or seek out off-campus resources, taking part in extracurricular activities is a great way to make friends – and learn a few lessons along the way.
On-Campus Culture
Sample French culture and meet great friends in your own backyard.
Le Cercle Français is a social group that introduces students to experiences such as cheese tastings, travel discussions and other cultural activities.
Pi Delta Phi, established in 1906, is the French National Honor Society for undergraduate and graduate students at accredited public and private colleges and universities in the United States. There are currently more than 330 chapters of the Society in the United States and two representative chapters at the American Universities in Paris and Aix‐en‐Provence in France. The society was admitted to the Association of College Honor Societies in 1967. The purpose of the Society is to recognize outstanding scholarship in the French language and its literatures, to increase the knowledge and appreciation of Americans for the cultural contributions of the French‐speaking world, and to stimulate and to encourage French and Francophone cultural activities.
Membership Information:
Regular members include graduate and undergraduate students at the sponsoring institution who are nominated in recognition of their academic achievement in French. Requirements for regular membership are: completion of at least one course of upper‐division French (i.e. beyond the intermediate‐level series of courses), 3.0 GPA in French, 2.8 GPA overall, AND rank in the top 35% of their class sophomore standing. Undergraduate students do not need to be French or French Studies majors or minors to be nominated for regular membership. Graduate students who are candidates for an advanced degree in French or French studies are eligible for regular membership. Students from neighboring institutions who take French courses at the sponsoring institution are not eligible for regular membership, but may be nominated for honorary membership.
Honorary members include: the French faculty of the sponsoring institution who are not already members of Pi Delta Phi; members of the faculty at large; students who do not meet the requirements for regular membership; college or university alumni who did not become members while attending the sponsoring institution; and diplomats, community and business leaders who have demonstrated support of French language, and/or of the cultures and literatures of the French‐speaking world.
National dues for Regular members are $30.00; dues for Honorary members are $15.00; all memberships are lifetime. All members receive the official Pi Delta Phi key/pin and certificate. Application form.
SKEMA is a one-year, dual-degree graduate study option developed in partnership with NC State’s Poole College of Management. The program prepares the next generation of managers for the growing global luxury goods and services market.
Off-Campus Culture
Take advantage of the Triangle’s significant French roots with these local resources.
A French-American cultural organization of francophones and francophiles that meets regularly for cultural events and social gatherings.
A French school that enables you to immerse yourself in language, literature, history, art, culture and civilization without leaving North Carolina. The school is for children and adults of all levels.
Attending these gatherings helps you meet people in the community and sharpen your French conversational skills.
Raleigh’s impressive art museum includes works by French artists Pierre Mignard as well as Oudry, Millet and Monet.
A unique shop located in Pittsboro that sells French antiques, art, jewelry and gifts.
Authentic French dining located in the heart of Raleigh. Indulge in classic dishes such as coq au vin, cassoulet and more.
This Durham bistro whisks you away to the south of France with a menu loaded with fruits de mer, steak and a wide selection of local and French cheeses.