Study Abroad | Paris

Housing

Included

Paris Homestay

Homestays are located within the city of Paris and about 30 minutes by metro from classes and the AIFS office. You will have a key and can come and go as you wish. The homestay includes:

• Double bedroom with another AIFS student
• A single room may be available for a supplement of $125
• Access to kitchen
• Privacy for study
• French style breakfast daily and 3 dinners with host family

Optional

Communal Residence ($795)

Live with other AIFS students in residence halls located in central Paris for a supplemental fee. The residence includes:

• Double or triple bedrooms
• Breakfast every day and lunch or dinner 5 days a week – this may be in the form of an allowance
• Self-service laundry facilities

Internet access is included in all AIFS housing in Paris.

City Facts

Food

Paris is famous for its restaurants and haute cuisine, food meticulously prepared and artfully presented. Thanks to immigration, every French regional cuisine and almost every national cuisine in the world can be found in Paris; the city has more than 9,000 restaurants. In addition to restaurants, the café concept arrived in Paris in the 17th century. Since then, Parisian cafés have been considered centers for the city’s political and cultural life.

Fashion

Since the 19th century, Paris has competed for the title of Fashion Capital of the World, particularly when it comes to haute couture, clothing hand-made for special clients. Some of the largest fashion houses and designers call Paris home including Dior, Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld, and Christian Lacroix. The city also plays hosts to two Fashion Weeks, held in January and July. 

Architecture

The city owes its style to its aligned street-fronts, distinctive cream-grey “Paris stone” building decoration, aligned top-floor balconies, and tree-lined boulevards. Amazingly, Paris has never been destroyed by catastrophe or war and has preserved even its earliest history, including many famous landmarks and buildings. Parisian architecture is best highlighted in the city’s churches (Basilica of Sacré-Cœur, Saint Chapelle, La Madeleine, Notre Dame Cathedral), Palais Garnier Opera House, Louvre Pyramid and Eiffel Tower.

Site Staff

AIFS in Paris Director, January Term Program

Danica Debizet

Bonjour! “Hello” in French, one of the four languages I am fluent in, along with English, German and Slovak. You have quite the experience awaiting you in Paris; from the cultural activities offered, the number of museums to visit and the various people you’ll meet, it is sure to be an amazing time.

I studied for three separate MA degrees in Paris and Grenoble and have lived in four different countries. I consider myself a “global citizen” and am looking forward to helping you to adjust to your time abroad. As your Program Director, I am here to advise, listen, help and encourage you to make your stay in Paris a wonderful experience that you will always remember. My door is always open to meet you.

The Program Director provides academic advice, introduces you to the community and handles communication with the University.

Cultural Activities

Learning does not begin or end in the classroom. To help you get a true taste of French culture, a wide range of cultural activities and excursions are included in your program fee. Activities and events will include:

• Welcome dinner in a typical French restaurant
• Guided city tour in a private bus with an English speaking professional guide
• Visit to the Opéra Garnier
• Bateaux-Mouches boat trip along the River Seine
• Château of Versailles excursion
• French King’s cake and cider tasting