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IES Abroad Paris – French Studies

by: IES Abroad

9.26 (42)Verified

Come study abroad in one of the most beautiful and famous cities in the world! Spend one semester or an entire year living, studying, and traveling through Paris, France. Students can learn about and experience French culture from the inside out, something that can never be achieved with a short vacation. Four semesters of university level French language is required, and helps students with i...

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Program Highlights

See Paris not just as a tourist, but as a local, living and studying within the city

Participate in optional field-trips, designed with the student in mind, providing supplemental experience and educational opportunities

Wide range of courses and majors available for study such as Art, Language, Literature, Culture, and Political Sciences

Partnerships with Universitie de Paris-Sorbonne, Institut Catholique de Paris, Universitie de Paris VIII, Academie de la Croix Nivert, Ecole Speciale d'Architecture, Ecole Normale de Musique de Par

Choose an exciting internship or service learning opportunity to gain valuable work and life experience

Quick Details

Locations:
  • Paris, France
Availability
Year(s) OfferedYear RoundTerms Available:
  • Academic Year
  • Fall
  • Spring
Age Requirement:Varies
Types & Subjects:
  • Art & Fine Arts
  • Business
  • Education
  • Public Administration & Government
Guidelines:
  • American
See all program details

Awards

GoAbroad Innovation Awards 2024 Winner - Student VideoPeople’s Choice Award 2023 FinalistInnovative Student Video 2023 WinnerInnovative Student Video Finalist 2022

Program Reviews

Hear what past participants have to say about the programs

Overall Rating

9.26

Total Reviews

42

A semester in Paris

January 21, 2019by: Jalen Amerine - United StatesProgram: IES Abroad Paris – French Studies
9

I spent a semester in Paris with IES Abroad. Through this program I was able to take classes on the colonization of francophone Africa, feminism movements in France, and a sociology course, along with my grammar course. These classes were instrumental in broadening my worldview and how I view social movements and the perspectives of other cultures. I was able to gain a better understanding of how history can shape right and wrong and influence political discourse, not only for France but the ways in which the same has been done here in the United States in a way that is unique to America. Also, thanks to this program I was able to complete an internship. This experience was invaluable, not only in helping me gain an understanding of French culture on another level, but in improving my language skills, and giving me experience that will be invaluable as I continue to move forward in my professional life. My internship was with an organization called Afrika Tiss, which is a fair trade organization that works specifically with female artisans and Malian refugees in Burkina Faso. In Ouagadougou the artisans there make jewelry, bags, and home accessories that are later sold in France as well as other countries. The production works on a small scale, but everything is made by hand in a way that preserves ancestral patterns and skills while also adding a modern touch. I met some incredible people through this internship and I learned a lot about humanitarian work and what that looks like from the inside. IES from the beginning was very clear and helpful in terms of telling me what I would need while I was there and everything I would need to do before. The staff onsite was incredibly helpful in determining what courses would be best for me and for helping me find my internship. They had multiple excursions that helped me meet other students in the program and they also had so many meetings that helped me get acclimated to French culture and prepared me for the types of things that I might experience in my first few weeks in Paris. From the beginning the staff was readily available to help me and provide me with advice to help guide me through the early and often times difficult stages of my transition into Parisian culture. Even better, the entire staff was open to the suggestions of students so that they could continue to better the program for future classes of students. Overall the program was instrumental in helping me discover myself and broaden my education not only in an academic setting but also from an intercultural perspective.

The best city in the world ;)

January 16, 2019by: Noelle Dillman - United StatesProgram: IES Abroad Paris – French Studies
10

I studied abroad in the fall of 2018 with IES French Studies in Paris. I chose to stay with a host family and I am so happy I did- they made me feel welcomed and comfortable in an unfamiliar environment and introduced me to aspects of French culture that I wouldn’t have been able to experience otherwise. Over the course of the semester, my French language skills improved immensely. One of my favorite things about Paris is that there is always something to do and the city is so rich in history and culture. I was able to travel outside of Paris a number of weekends and explore different cities around Europe, each introducing me to something new and broadening my perspectives. Studying abroad has brought me a greater awareness of what opportunities the world holds. I will forever consider my time in Paris as one of the most enriching, rewarding, and influential experiences in my life!

Paris is a paradise

January 29, 2018by: Logan Stalter - United StatesProgram: IES Abroad Paris – French Studies
10

As a participant in IES Abroad's French Studies in Paris Program, I had the best and most valuable experiences as a student, a traveler, a volunteer, and a woman of the world. I had the opportunity to explore Paris, the French Province, and several European countries--such as Belgium, Holland, and Italy--as my location in the heart of Paris provided me with ample modes of transportation within and beyond France. Additionally, the French Studies Center is well located in the Montparnasse area where there is always hustle and bustle with the surrounding businesses, restaurants. and retail. Being thrown into this amazing city and all it has to offer, I had innumerable opportunities to step outside of my comfort zone through local organizations, volunteer opportunities, and field-trips. Additionally, I was able to challenge myself intellectually and socially through the classes I chose to pursue through IES (Histories and Legends of Paris, Sociology of France, Politics and Poetry of Gender in France, The Word and the Image, and French in Context). IES provided a wide array of courses to be taken at the IES Center in addition to the courses at Parisian institutions of higher education. The IES staff and faculty were incredibly welcoming, approachable, and knowledgeable. The relationships I formed with the staff and faculty will endure, for they were instrumental in my success while abroad. I look forward to the day when I can return to Paris and swing by the Center. My study abroad program motivated and supported me in all of my academic, personal, and professional endeavors. My French language skills improved drastically within the immersion program, my knowledge of new and interesting material increased, and I now have experience with professionals in various domains and careers that will help me after graduation as I search for jobs. There is not one thing about my time abroad with IES that I regret--except that I didn't stay the whole year!

Program Details

Learn all the nitty gritty details you need to know

Locations

  • Paris, France

Types and Subjects

  • Subjects & Courses
  • Art History
  • Communications
  • French

Availability

Years Offered: Year Round

Intern Duration:

    Age Requirement

    Age Requirement Varies

    Guidelines

    • American

    Accommodation Options

    • Apartment/Flat
    • Home-stays

    Qualifications & Experience

      Language Skills Required

    • French

      Accepted Education Levels

    • High school graduate, diploma or the equivalent (for example: GED)

    Application Procedures

    • Transcript
    • Online Application

    Interviews

    Read interviews from alumni or staff

    Carolyn Alessandra

    Participated in 2014

    Alumni

    After studying French for so many years, I knew I wanted to go to France. When I was doing college tours my junior year, I asked every school about their study abroad programs. I wanted to have the experience of living in another culture, speaking only that language, and completely immersing myself in their lives. I believe the best way to learn a language is to throw yourself completely into it, and that is what the study abroad experience is. You put yourself into an entirely new world so you can become a part of it. I wanted to live life away from the small bubble I grew up in, and a whole new country was the perfect step for me.

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    Keara Parciak

    Participated in 2014

    Alumni

    As a French language major, it was pivotal for the completion of my degree that I was able to live and experience the culture. By living in France and speaking the language every day, I was able to become fluent in French.

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    Mary Elizabeth Winther

    Participated in 2014

    Alumni

    I chose to study in Paris because I was looking for a city that would provide me with plenty of 

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    IES Abroad

    IES Abroad

    9.26Verified

    Ready to Learn More?

    Come study abroad in one of the most beautiful and famous cities in the world! Spend one semester or an entire year living, studying, and traveling through Paris, France. Students can learn about and experience French culture from the inside out, something that can never be achieved with a short vacation. Four semesters of university level French language is required, and helps students with immersion into life as a Parisian student. Take 5 - 6 courses per semester that are taught in French by local university professors. Students can live with a local, French speaking host family or choose to reside in a single studio apartment; both options will ensure an authentic, cultural experience and will provide for superb language immersion.

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