Music Study Abroad Programs in Paris, France

Spending five months in Paris was one of the most influential experiences I've had---Paris being the first time I have ever lived in a big city really set the bar high. I lived with a host family in the 13th arrondissement where I felt incredibly at home (with the whole city accessible through just a few metro lines) and had the opportunity to fully immerse myself in different cultures. Being able to take courses at a French institution really opened my eyes to a different country's education system, and allowed me to learn a lot while also making local friendships. Middlebury's program itself is really amazing. Having to live, study, and form relationships in a foreign language is not necessarily easy, but Midd provided tools and support needed to ensure our success. The connections that I've built, both to people and to Paris, are immeasurable.

I had an amazing time studying abroad with Middlebury in Paris. I decided to live with a host family, and my host mother was sweet, accomodating, and helped me improve my French a lot. I lived in Paris's 13th arrondisement, in Chinatown, and the experience of living in a part of the city I might have not thought to visit if I wasn't living there was super interesting. I loved finding hidden gems around my neighborhood and the city as a whole.Taking classes at Middlebury with the other American students was a helpful anchor to my experience as I navigated a lot of new experiences -- taking classes in my second language at a local university, traveling solo for the first time, and more.

Living in Paris was an expansive experience. It challenged me in a lot of ways, and helped me grow because of it. Paris is such a beautiful city, with spectacles and beautiful architecture and people and a moving, dynamic current. There's always something to do, someone to see. It’s city to get lost in and find yourself again. It’s a city designed for people, for connection, for community. If I could, I'd do it all over again. The Middlebury Program is a great way to immerse yourself. With a host family, and a balance of local and program-led classes, and a lot of independence, you are sure to find yourself getting to know a great city. I found the language support really helpful, and I was able to meet a bunch of people, either local or through the program or through different study abroad schools. I’m really grateful for the opportunity it gave me.

I loved every minute of travelling and exploring the city of Paris, the program was really fun and I learned quite a bit. My professor was great and the locations we went to were awesome. Go abroad! It's worth it.

My j-term abroad was a life changing event. From the start, AIFS made things very clear, which was helpful for me as a planner. Getting to Paris, and then to the place I was staying, was incredibly easy and worry-free with AIFS booking the flights and the rides. Without having to worry about those thing, I got to spend more time studying up on the language and culture of Paris for my stay. Once I got there, I knew I would remember it forever. My professor was an absolute pleasure to learn from, knowing the ins and outs of the city and teaching us things beyond the course material, allowing us to grow as people as well as scholars. The free time available to us made it possible for everyone to explore what they they wished to. The gatherings hosted by the AIFS staff were very fun, and a nice way to connect with people who knew exactly what a study abroad trip entailed. I met my best friend on this trip, and we still talk every day a year and a half later! Between the course, the city, the guidance from AIFS, and the truly kind people in Paris, I had the best time. I 100% suggest everyone study abroad while they have the chance. It is a lot easier and realistic than you would think!

APA Paris is a wonderful program. I felt supported and challenged in all the right ways. From start to finish, I was surrounded by some of the kindest and most patient program coordinators who helped me seamlessly navigate life in a foreign country. The academics offered by the program are engaging and well-tailored to multiple levels in French, and the cultural events and excursions were some of my fondest memories here in Paris. The group of students the program attracted were some of the loveliest people to have spent a semester in Paris with, and the program did an excellent job facilitating a welcoming environment for us to bond. While I felt fully independent and immersed in French culture, the APA office was always there, offering support and a strong community. I could not have asked for a better study abroad experience. Merci APA!

I had an amazing time with APA! The program is run by a kind, considerate and detail-oriented program that emphasizes cultural immersion. We had multiple cultural events that were included with the program including concerts, tastings, as well as overnight stays in French regions. I also opted to stay in a homestay which was a wonderful experience; I really clicked with my host mom and lived in a beautiful Parisian apartment. My French has improved greatly thanks to tutoring and language offerings and I fell in love with Paris. I highly recommend APA to anyone wanting to study abroad in Paris!

I loved my semester with APA. My French has improved tremendously! The teachers, advisor, and administrative support is amazing. I loved that we had the opportunity to take classes with multiple universities based on our interests and the courses at APA are also very well taught. The cultural program is unlike any other, and it gave me a great opportunity to have experiences I never would have had otherwise! I highly recommend this programme!

I had such a blast and I was especially impressed with the extra curricular offerings of APA in comparison with other study abroad programs my friends were doing at the same time! 😁❤️🥳🥐🗼🏠😊🫂🍫🌿

Academic Programs Abroad was definitely the way to go! The level of immersion and cultural offerings that you get are unlike any other, and everything is well organized—yet still personalized, to feel responsive. I highly recommend this program to someone that wants to immerse themselves in the city and have a good time with others.

I felt fully immersed in French culture from the moment I arrived. I believe that the combination of attending a Parisian university and living in an apartment building with other Francophone young adults really helped me feel like I was having a true Parisian experience. I felt supported by the program, but I also had a lot of freedom to live my life independently as much as I liked. I think that the best part for me was my living situation, just because it introduced me to all my closest friends and forced me to speak French frequently. I think I felt like I integrated well into French culture and life without staying within the confines of being an American on an exchange.

When I arrived to Paris, I had forgotten a lot of my french. Because I was forced to constantly hear and speak french, I really was able to improve my skill and now I am able to understand majority of what is said in french and be able to speak in a conversation.

The academics were a little difficult because everything was in French but that is to be expected. APA was amazing and provided such great support. My advisor was amazing and I met such good friends here.

APA gave me the cultural immersion I needed to really improve my French. I thoroughly enjoyed my classes and the APA administration was so helpful and supportive. The cultural program was great as well. You get to see all sorts of performances and engage in french culture

I decided to study abroad in Paris with APA due to it offering the rare chance to immerse oneself in the French language through the day-to-day operations of the program alongside the option to stay with a host family. I opted to stay with a host family for the entire academic year and it was the best choice I could have made. Aside from greatly improving my French, I also developed deep relationships with my host family that will last forever. At APA, I similarly developed these connections. With it being a small team, you have the unique opportunity to develop personal relationships with the staff who truly know and understand you. Additionally, the program offered endless outings and events to attend, livening up every week with incredible opportunities.

This summer I studied abroad with AIFS in Paris and could not have asked for a better experience. First, the AIFS Abroad team in Paris is absolutely incredible with setting up activities, tours, and so much more. They even helped me get a home doctor visit when I had food poisoning for a week and were so incredibly helpful with both scheduling and reimbursements in regards to the visit. Second, my french language class was so beneficial and helped me grow my french skills significantly. I was in a class with students from all over the world and got to understand a little bit more about life in other countries, which I would not have otherwise experienced. Finally, studying abroad with AIFS made me so passionate about the global experience and taught me things I could never have imagined. I cultivated lifelong skills and learned how to better communicate with people from different backgrounds. I can not recommend AIFS more and encourage anyone interested to start the conversation and study abroad if possible!

I had a wonderful experience with AIFS for my summer semester. The program provides some excursions depending on your duration; I was given tickets to museums, a Seine boat tour, and Opéra Garnier. Some excursions were at specific times and if you couldn't make it during the group time, you were given a ticket to go on your own. I know students in the second session had the chance to go to Versailles (I was 1st session and was not eligible for this). I met and made friends with others in my program, through AIFS and CCFS. My host family was PHENOMENAL and I know my friends who also stayed with hosts had a great experience. My friends in the dorms said it was okay, but living with a family would have been more fun. A majority of the experience is not hosted by AIFS so you have to be willing to make friends and do things on your own. One critique I have is that I wish the metro card was included in my tuition. Overall, I loved my experience with CCFS and AIFS.

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 an incredible semester in Bordeaux with the Middlebury Schools Abroad. I think the highlight of my 4 months there was living with my host family, they were so supportive and helpful with any questions I had about life in Bordeaux. I loved having the freedom to explore this new city on my own and with friends from the program and other international students. The French university system is very different from the United States so it definitely took some getting used to, but other than that it was so interested to learn in a new environment.