Meet the directors

Dr. Alex Neff (co-director)

Originally from Pennsylvania, Alex has lived in France since 1997.  He has earned degrees in French sociology and international relations from Messiah University, The George Washington University and the Université de Strasbourg. His Ph.D. in sociology of religion, for which he won the Louis Schmutz prize, examines the complicated relationship between evangelical protestantism in France and the United States. After working in international education for 15 years, he founded Accès Study Abroad in 2013.

He is certified in mental health first aid (PSSM).

Andrea Neff (co-director)

Originally from Maryland, Andrea studied abroad for the first time at the age of 17 in Israël.  Since then, she has worked or studied all over the world. She graduated from Messiah University with a degree in family studies and art. She has earned a certification in Teaching English as a Foreign Language and has taught in France and South Korea.

She is certified in mental health first aid (PSSM).

Videos about religion in French society by Dr. Alex Neff

Is France a Catholic country?
What is “la laïcité”?
What is “communautarisme”?
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