Fall Fashion Design & Merchandising Study Abroad Programs in Paris

It is difficult to find the words to describe what an incredible time I had in Paris with CEA Study Abroad. My life is forever changed because of my time in Paris. Meeting new people, experiencing new cultures, having to converse in a language I had never studied grew me more than I could have imagined. The CEA staff was extremly organized and welcoming, beginning to end and calmed the nerves I had landing in Paris. I will never forget my experience and will forever be grateful to the CEA team

Studying abroad is one of the best decisions I could have made. I found it to be a great learning experience and a taste of independent life. I enjoyed the freedom of getting to visit any place in the city, as well as neighboring cities and countries. I traveled to 3 other countries and went on both CEA-sponsored trips. I had a blast in the academic center and made a lot of great friends. I liked the instructors that I had for my Thermodynamics and Architecture classes. They were not trying to trick us or fail us, and they did a lot to incorporate the city of Paris into the class content. I took the train and metro everywhere! I didn't realize how convenient it was to get around. I was used to NYC subways, but Paris metros were so much better. The transportation system everywhere (even in Switzerland and Germany) was very easy to figure out. Pros: the great food ease of transport not really a language barrier Cons: cost of souvenirs transportation doesn't run after 1 am

Got to learn from industry professionals and be pushed out of my comfort zone when it comes to fashion design. They helped me secure internships during Paris Fashion Week and got us collaborations with clothing design companies.

I have truly had an amazing experience throughout my time abroad in this program. I have met the coolest people, and I have also taken amazing classes. There is also so much time to be independent and travel the world with no restraints while also learning!

I would be likely to recommend CIEE study abroad because it makes the whole experience easier and less stressful. I appreciate the support they offer before and during the program, and I like that they focus on real cultural experiences, not just classes.

Studying abroad, such as in Paris, France, has changed my perspective on the world and ways to learn. I didn’t know much about some countries and classes being based on a world view was really nice and kept things interesting.

I highly recommend CIEE Study Abroad for its incredible cultural immersion, strong academic support, and unforgettable travel experiences. Through CIEE, I gained global perspectives, improved my language skills, and built lifelong friendships. It's a life-changing program that truly prepares you to thrive in a diverse, interconnected world.

Both my sons - twins - traveled to Paris in 2019. I followed and stayed at a different hotel in Bercy Village. Having never been to Paris, I, too, wanted to see some of what my sons were experiencing! Several other parents had made the trip and invited me to visit them at their homes in France. Four years later I asked one of my sons what he recalled from his summer at Parsons in Paris. His face aglow, he stated that he remembered the friends he made, the fun they had, and what he learned. He stated that then API team had taken great care of them making sure they were safe, but still allowing them to explore, take the Metro, and learn about Paris on the many excursions they took. One experience we both recalled was as I was on a tour bus driving around Paris, I looked down and saw my sons and their new friends walking down the street. Their faces displayed the joy they felt about being on this fabulous trip and surprise at seeing me gazing down on them from the tour bus. I recalled visiting the Parsons school with its beautiful circular stairway and many well-equipped studios where students created their fashion projects. As a parent, I appreciated the excellent coordination and support with paperwork that API gave me when planning the trip. My sons' summer at Parsons in Paris via API helped them when they were in college and with future jobs as well. The three of us would highly recommend students taking advantage of the wonderful programs and counselors that API has to offer. Merci beaucoup!

I completed an intensive French language program with API having only one semester of college French. Quickly my language skills improved, thanks to this program, my peers, and the faculty. I learned so much in such a short amount of time. It gave me foundational French skills that truly allowed me to excel in the language over the last few years. The classes at Institut Catholique de Paris were hard, but I was so grateful for the challenge. In addition I enjoyed the fact that the classes were mixed with other study abroad programs, namely because it allowed me to meet one of my best friends to this day and several other close friends. In terms of the living accommodations, I really enjoyed living at Cite Universitaire, it was so accessible by train and API provided me with the necessary transit card! There was a communal kitchen there that I used often, helping me save lots of money on food - plus API provided some money for groceries which I was so grateful for. If anything, I wish I had stayed longer - one month flew by! API made sure to take us to nearby cultural locations outside of Paris on weekends and I enjoyed those a lot. Also since I had a European student ID, I was able to visit nearly all museums for free. Truly once in a lifetime experience.

I loved the classes and how the program was run a lot. I only took a point off because before the program started and I was back in the states everything was very unclear on what the program would look like.

I felt so immersed and so comfortable in my scope of exploration, travel and academics so quickly and fondly with the CEA Team at the CEA Paris Center ! With weekly tastings of local cultural foods, beverages and humanities, workshops, community events, there was never a dull moment !

My time in Paris with API Abroad was incredible. It was by no means the most consistently amazing or positive semester of my life – in fact, I found that some moments were particularly tough – but the experience of learning and developing confidence through profoundly moving and varied ups and downs was enlightening enough to more than make up for the lack (and in my eyes, surpass) a semester of only ups. Better yet, the network I had cultivated – the staff at API, the host family I stayed with, and the friends made both and out of the program – were there to support me, always there and always ready to chat.

Engineering in Paris is an incredible opportunity for undergraduate students around the world to complete several of their engineering requirements while being able to experience an amazingly rich and diverse culture. Academically CEA CAPA provided great teachers who were passionate about their subjects and understanding of the unique circumstances that students were placed in. They taught the course material well, formed connections with us, and encouraged us to explore and travel while we had this opportunity. The CEA CAPA staff were very helpful as we started to gain our bearings in Paris and organized many activities and excursions to immerse us into the culture. Paris itself is an absolutely beautiful city that has a plethora of options for nightlife, food, drink, shopping, museums, historical sites, and natural beauty. The public transportation system in Paris is very accessible and serves as an easy way to travel around the city, however, I encourage walking as much as possible because it is the only way to truly embrace all of the natural beauty and sites of the city. Furthermore, Paris is a very centrally located city in Europe and allows easy and relatively inexpensive travel opportunities to most other countries in Europe.

I studied with CEA CAPA over the 22-23 school year and had a great time! I love the flexibility of their programs- I was able to get a lot of experience with the French language, and didn't feel that I had any huge advantages or disadvantages compared to those who chose to study in English. They offered great cultural activities and excursions for all interests as well.

I studied abroad with CEA CAPA in the Summer of 2023 in Paris, France. In my 6 weeks spent abroad, I was very pleased with what CEA CAPA had to offer. In terms of housing, the apartment was about what you would expect to receive at any university, and the kitchen was very small, though that was okay because I was able to spend most of my meals out, really getting the full French cuisine experience. The engineering class that I took was difficult, as is any, but the small class size made it easy to collaborate with others and to really delve into the knowledge. The sports & culture class that I took was fun and engaging, and really offered exploration of parts of the city I never would've ventured to on my own. CEA CAPA offered many opportunities to see parts of the city, starting with the initial boat ride along the River Seine, where I had my first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower, and ending with a ticket to a football match at the Stade du France, where we got to see a very exciting win! These are some things I never would have thought to do, but CEA CAPA made it all possible.

AIFS was helpful in the pre-departure, and in ensuring that all students were ready to go and prepared for Paris! We stayed with a host family and had a weekly dinner with the family. It was nice to get to experience living like a true Parisian. CCFS was, from what I experienced, mostly international students. I went in knowing almost no French and I learned a LOT!!! It was really easy to go out and meet locals, but I did not meet many locals at school! Everyone that was in the program was wonderful and the AIFS staff are amazing! The study-abroad students that I was with became like my family and we still stay in touch now! The only drawback was the lack of variety of classes that CCFS offered non-french speakers.

When I got back to my home university my friend asked how I would describe my trip in three words, discovery, blessing, and fun! It completely rocked my view of the world and travel in general, to see the beauty of another culture is a great opportunity. I also learned a lot about myself and life as I navigated relationships and everyday interactions in a different language. At times it was challenging but it was also so much fun. The number one reason I was afraid to go was because of my fear of missing out on something at my home university, but that was not the case at all I missed a few fun times but nothing worth changing my trip to France and my friends were still there when I got back! Last I was definitely blessed because I feel the three greatest factors on any study abroad trip are the host family, school and roommate and all of these factors were tremendous! If you are considering study abroad this is a no brainer, do it and it’s okay to go without someone you know!

I had a really good time and met a lot of great people through my program in Paris, France. I like the activities and ways CIEE makes sure we all get to know each other when first arriving, and on trips.

Tremendous staff. Environment is like none other and they accommodate well. For Seville, the city has been tremendous and CIEE gives you a proper introduction to this magnificent city. Whether an intern or a student during one of the sessions, you can get along with everyone and overcome the anxieties of a new city

I would be very likely to recommend CIEE Study Abroad to a friend because this program gives you many opportunities to explore the city you are in as well as the surrounding areas. All of the employees are very kind people who will be their to uplift and support the students who are abroad.