Lexia's semester curriculum progresses from a highly structured learning environment to more independent study.  Each course in the program slightly overlaps with other courses, allowing students to use skills and knowledge acquired in one context (for example, speaking a language) in another (conducting an interview).

In this way, students build a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the host culture with each step. Overall, students take four core courses, along with an orientation seminar and a final review and evaluation.

Students wishing to study abroad for an entire academic year have two options:

1. They may stay at the same site and gain a deeper understanding of the host country, or
2. They may choose two different Lexia programs and benefit from the resulting comparative learning experience.

Students may wish to focus more in depth on their particular interest at one of the Lexia sites or work on their language training. In this case, students may stay at the same site and continue their language training and Field Research Project during the second semester. These students would also typically select two electives or tutorial courses to round out the coursework during the second semester.

Alternatively, a year spent in two different Lexia programs with a similar theme allows a student to explore a major area of study while gaining additional insight from comparative analysis. Students who choose to study in two different Lexia sites complete the six components of the semester program discussed here at each site.

The Lexia Summer Curriculum consists of an Orientation Seminar and the following academic courses: