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Study Abroad | Paris

France | Institut de Langue et de Culture Françaises | Fall 2023
A student viewing the Eiffel Tower from afar.

Select Your Program Option:

  • Fall 2023

  • Spring 2024

  • Fall 2024

  • Spring 2025

Overview

Spend a semester or academic year in the vibrant and romantic city of Paris, France, with AIFS! Choose from a range of course options at the Institut de Langue et de Culture Françaises (ILCF), a department of the Catholic University of Paris. Renowned for its intellectual and research excellence, ILCF welcomes 2,500 students every year from all over the world.

What’s Included

The AIFS inclusive program fee includes all of the great features below in addition to many pre-departure, on-site and upon-return services to help students make the most of their time abroad.

Review Our Policies
  • Tuition

    Up to 17 credits depending on course selection

  • Courses

    Wide variety of courses available; taught in English and French

  • Housing

    Parisian homestay

  • Meals

    Daily breakfast plus one meal a week in the homestay. Students are invited to various group meals during the program

  • Excursions & Day Trips

    Such as visits to the Palace of Versailles, Monet’s garden in Giverny and the Château of Vaux-le-Vicomte

  • Cultural & Social Activities

    A wide range of AIFS-organized cultural activities and social events to enrich your experience

  • On-Site Program Director

    to help with any questions or advice you may need throughout the program

  • Health & Safety

    24/7 emergency support and comprehensive insurance

  • Personal/Professional Development

    Access to the renowned Clifton StrengthsFinder assessment and alumni network

  • Green Initiative

Additional Options & Opportunities

  • AIFS Flight Package

    Round-trip flights from 25 U.S. gateways

    Airport transfers to and from campus

  • Optional Excursions

    Normandy and Brittany (2 days)

  • Housing Supplement

    Homestay single room

Program Details: Study Abroad | Paris Multi Discipline

Program is closed

Dates

September 1, 2023December 15, 2023

Term

Fall

Institution

Institut de Langue et de Culture Françaises

Application Deadline

May 8, 2023

Inclusive Fees

$16,990

Stay for a year to save on cost

Eligibility

Open to First Year, Sophomore, Junior, Senior, Non-Student

Minimum of 2.5 GPA

Additional requirements may vary by course selection. See Academic section below.

Visa Requirements

The French government requires U.S. students to obtain a valid visa for their period of study in France. AIFS will provide guidelines to assist you with the visa application process.

Areas of Interest

  • Anthropology
  • Architecture
  • Area Studies
  • Art
  • Art History
  • Cultural Studies
  • Economics
  • Fashion
  • Film Studies
  • Fine Arts
  • Foreign Language
  • French Language
  • History
  • Political Science
  • Sociology
  • Visual and Performing Arts

Global Themes

  • Arts, Culture and Creative Industries
  • Global Peace, International Security and Human Rights
  • Language, History and Culture
Learn More About Global Themes

Academics

AIFS Abroad offers a unique global educational experience for students on this program, with the following academic options available:

French language and elective courses for foreign students are taught at the Institut Catholique de Paris – Institut de Langue et de Culture Françaises (ILCF), a department of the Institut Catholique de Paris. The Institut Catholique de Paris is a well-known and highly respected private university approved and recognized by the French Ministry of Education. Founded in 1948, the ICP-ILCF is an establishment of intellectual and research excellence. It welcomes 2,500 students every year from all over the world who want to learn French and take courses to become acquainted with French culture and civilization in a French atmosphere.

  • Anthropology
  • Architecture
  • Area Studies
  • Art
  • Art History
  • Cultural Studies
  • Economics
  • Fashion
  • Film Studies
  • Fine Arts
  • Foreign Language
  • French Language
  • History
  • Political Science
  • Sociology
  • Visual and Performing Arts

All students take French language in combination with a French or an English elective. French language courses are available from Beginner through Advanced/Superior level. 

The number of class hours per week for the required French language course is 15 hours. Generally, 1 credit is equivalent to 15 contact hours. 

Beginner to Advanced French level courses are recommended for 14 credits. 

Students can take one additional Culture and Civilization course from various elective courses taught in English or French, equivalent to 3 credits for up to 17 credits. Subjects taught in French include art history, cultural studies, fashion, fine arts and history depending on the student’s French level. 

Alternatively, students can take one additional course up to a maximum total of 17 credits choosing from French language courses in oral, written and phonetics skills. The appropriate course level is determined by a placement test taken online prior to departure from the U.S. As the level tested into may not be confirmed before arrival in Paris, students should gain approval for several levels from their U.S. advisor to ensure they receive credit. 

All students take French language in combination with a French or an English elective. French language courses are available from Beginner through Advanced/Superior level. 

The number of class hours per week for the required French language course is 15 hours. Generally, 1 credit is equivalent to 15 contact hours. 

Beginner to Advanced French level courses are recommended for 14 credits. 

Students can take one additional Culture and Civilization course from various elective courses taught in English or French, equivalent to 3 credits for up to 17 credits. Subjects taught in French include art history, cultural studies, fashion, fine arts and history depending on the student’s French level. 

Alternatively, students can take one additional course up to a maximum total of 17 credits choosing from French language courses in oral, written and phonetics skills. The appropriate course level is determined by a placement test taken online prior to departure from the U.S. As the level tested into may not be confirmed before arrival in Paris, students should gain approval for several levels from their U.S. advisor to ensure they receive credit. 

View All Courses For Multi Discipline
Hannah Instagram Takeover

A DAY IN THE LIFE
Paris

Meet Hannah, a college student from @wwu who took over the AIFS Abroad Instagram story recently to answer questions about what it’s like to study abroad in Paris, France during her spring semester! Watch as Hannah highlights what a typical day in the life looks like there.

Two students posing with the Eiffel Tower.

Living Abroad

Homestay

The best way to learn French, gain a unique and personal insight into French culture and integrate into the local community.

  • Double room
  • Shared bathroom
  • Breakfast every day plus one meal a week
  • Access to kitchen every evening to prepare dinner
  • Single room supplement: $495 Spring 2024 / $TBC Fall 2024/Spring 2025

Students are invited to various group meals.

Internet access is included in all AIFS housing in Paris.

Please note that full year students are responsible for their own housing during the intersession break.

TRANSPORTATION

All students should expect to use Paris’s public transportation system on a daily basis. The Paris Metro system is one of the most efficient underground train systems in the world. Generally students can expect to commute 30 to 45 minutes between home and the location of their classes, this is normal in Paris.

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.

AIFS in Paris Director, Academic Year and Semester Programs

Danica Debizet headshot.

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 office is located right in the heart of the city and my door is always open.

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

In addition to excursions a cultural calendar of weekly activities and social events is included in your program fee. These activities will include both typical tourist sites and attractions and lesser known visits which take advantage of the expert knowledge of our local AIFS staff and give you a more authe

  • Monet’s gardens in Giverny
  • The beautiful Château of Vaux-le-Vicomte
  • Walking tour of Montmartre district
  • Marmottan – Monet Museum
  • Rodin Museum
  • Holocaust Museum
  • Orangerie Museum
  • Picasso Museum
  • Paris Opera House area
  • Paris Mosque
  • Edith Piaf Museum
  • Attending a ballet performance
  • Classical concerts and theater performances

You may be asked to pay a small additional fee for some of the activities above.

Wine appreciation and cooking courses are also available for an extra fee.

AIFS can help you to arrange local volunteer opportunities with organizations such as Les Restos du Coeur which distributes food parcels and hot meals to homeless people in Paris; Emmaüs which develops literacy programs and provides leisure activities for disadvantaged children; Secours Populaire a charity which provides access to health facilities, education and food for those in need. 

For more information contact the AIFS Program Advisor. 

Excursions

This program offers a range of day trips and excursions that will take you outside Paris and deepen your social, historical and cultural understanding of France. Previous excursions have included:

Palace of Versailles.

Palace of Versailles

Tour the magnificent and historically significant Palace of Versailles. Includes entrance fees.

  • France
  • Half Day
  • Included in Program Fee
Normandy, France.

Normandy and Brittany

Visit the Peace Memorial, several D-Day sites, St. Malo and Mont Saint-Michel. Includes round-trip transportation, accommodations, breakfast and all entrance fees.

  • France
  • 2 Days
  • $325
Barcelona,Spain
A group of happy students at a carnival.
A view of Prague.

Social identity & access

One of the best things you can do before departure is enter into the journey knowing that your time abroad will be unique to this experience. The resources, community, and support available to you when abroad will likely be different as well. In order to help you prepare for your experience, we have compiled many resources about social identity and access in specific locations abroad. Your program staff will also provide you with more details pre-departure and during orientation.

Learn more

Important Dates & Deadlines

Request Info

Closed

Program is closed

Dates & Deadlines

Details

  • Early Application Deadline*
  • Application Deadline
    May 8, 2023
  • Deposit Deadline
    June 2, 2023
  • Scholarship Deadline
    April 20, 2023
  • Visa Deadline****
  • Optional Departure Flight from US***
    August 31, 2023
  • Program Begins
    September 1, 2023
  • Program Ends
    December 15, 2023
  • Optional Return Flight to US***
    December 16, 2023
  • *** Included for students on AIFS flight package.
  • **** AIFS Abroad offers visa processing services to applicants who enroll into the program by this date. All other applicants who enroll after this date will be responsible for securing their own visa with guidance from AIFS Abroad.

Optional Flight Package

Students can select an optional transportation package for all AIFS programs. Students who choose to book their own flights should meet up with group at the program location and will need to make their own ground transportation arrangements.

Below are fees by departure city based on average historical costs and subject to change. If you select this option on your application, the total flight package price will be confirmed in your account 6 months prior to departure. (Program fee is guaranteed.)

Depature City

Fee

  • Atlanta
    $1,300
  • Boston
    $1,260
  • Buffalo
    $1,300
  • Charlotte
    $1,360
  • Chicago
    $1,440
  • Cincinnati
    $1,340
  • Columbus
    $1,360
  • Dallas
    $1,480
  • Denver
    $1,520
  • Des Moines
    $1,440
  • Detroit
    $1,380
  • Houston
    $1,440
  • Los Angeles
    $1,340
  • Miami
    $1,360
  • Minneapolis
    $1,500
  • New York
    $1,240
  • Newark
    $1,240
  • Orlando
    $1,400
  • Philadelphia
    $1,340
  • Phoenix
    $1,480
  • Pittsburgh
    $1,400
  • Raleigh/Durham
    $1,400
  • San Francisco
    $1,480
  • Seattle
    $1,460
  • St. Louis
    $1,460
  • Washington/Dulles
    $1,320
  • View more View less

See what others are saying

Two students walking in a field.

Ready to Study Abroad in Paris?

For more dates or questions, contact your program consultant:
(203) 399-5163 or email: aifsabroad@aifs.com