International student - Advice on program

[Liselole]

Hi there,

I'm a Belgian student and I'm currently in my 3rd Bachelor (last year of undergraduate studies) at Leuven University. I study Literature & Linguistics in English & Dutch. Since we don't have 'separate' programs in Belgium I had no other choice than to do both literature and linguistics and to choose two languages. Dutch is my native language by the way. However, I want to do graduate studies (American Lit or Comp Lit) in the US after obtaining my MA in Western Literature in Leuven next year. I am currently searching for programs that suit my 'profile'.

Because of the fact that I have had only more general courses on English and American literature it is difficult to choose between:

1. comparative literature vs English

2. MA/PhD

As I am reading this discussion board I am frightened by the fact that prospective graduate students from the US have so much more concrete ideas on what field they want to explore and that they can thus choose a program that meets their preferences. Although I have good grades and my professors back my plans and are eager to assist me, I feel quite lost :roll:

I would like to know if any of you have some advice on which programs/universities could be interesting for someone like me.

My current list is:

- Boston University (MA-PhD English)

- University of Massachusetts in Amherst (Comp Lit)

- UCSC (PhD : their multidisciplinary approach and 2nd language focus interest me, since I am fluent at French)

- NYU (MA or PhD Comp Lit)

I'd be so happy if someone could shine a light on this matter for me

Kind regards,

Lise