Selected from more than 3400 applicants, the first cohort of Lafayette Fellows brings together 30 American students who will spend a year studying at 15 partner institutions across France. In 2026-2027, ENS de Lyon welcomes two of them, Ernest Leong and Josephine O’Brien, whose shared enthusiasm for research has brought them to a school where research is central to its academic mission.

Two Fellows, two academic journeys

Ernest Leong’s connection with ENS de Lyon began during his undergraduate studies at the University of Chicago, where he did a BA in Romance Languages and Literatures, and a MA in Social Sciences. A digital humanities project led him to work with a researcher affiliated with IHRIM, the Institute for the History of Representations and Ideas in Modernities, based at ENS de Lyon. Later, as he prepared to pursue a PhD at the University of California, Berkeley, Ernest arranged to defer his start by a year to study in Lyon and continue working with the researcher. The Lafayette Fellowship made that year possible.

Now pursuing a Master’s degree in Modern Literature at ENS de Lyon, Ernest’s work spans literary research, translation and cultural texts from different periods. His year at ENS de Lyon provides an opportunity to develop his research in a new academic setting, before he returns to the United States for doctoral studies.

Josephine O’Brien arrived at ENS de Lyon after studying Medical Humanities at Columbia University and Political Humanities and Social Sciences at Sciences Po. She is now enrolled in the Logic, History and Philosophy of Science and Technology program, where she is pursuing research on bioethics in France and the United States. Her work examines the ethical and political questions raised by biotechnology and assisted reproductive technologies. France’s rich philosophical and research traditions, she explains, made it a particularly relevant setting for this work.

Since arriving at ENS de Lyon, Josephine has found the School well suited to her academic goals, particularly her interest in pursuing individualised research. The School’s human scale also makes it easier for students to get to know their professors and researchers, an aspect she particularly appreciates.

Studying in a different academic culture

Josephine points out one of the most distinctive aspects of her experience is the opportunity to study entirely in French. Although she had already spent two years in France during her undergraduate studies, her previous program had been taught largely in English. She therefore saw her Master’s degree as an opportunity to immerse herself in French academic culture and improve her language skills. She has also found that studying in another language changes how she approaches academic work and interacts with others. As she explains, “in my daily life, I only really speak French.”

For Ernest, studying French literature in France offers a way to explore the subject in its cultural context. Attending courses and conferences with researchers from across Europe further broadens his academic experience, bringing different perspectives to a field of study. He notes that the geographical proximity makes it easier for scholars from different countries to meet, share their work and exchange ideas than is often the case in the United States.

Advice for future applicants

Drawing on their own experiences, Ernest and Josephine stress the importance of having a clear idea of one’s academic goals and research interests when applying for the Lafayette Fellowship. They encourage prospective applicants to consider how studying a year in France fits into their longer-term plans and to choose an institution that aligns with their ambitions, whether it is a university or a grande école.

Applications for the 2027 program opened on September 4, 2026, and will close on December 1, 2026. Please reach out to lafayettefellowship [at] villa-albertine.org with any questions. You may also refer to the Lafayette Fellowship website for more information.