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Study Abroad | Paris

France | Cours de Civilisation Française de la Sorbonne | Fall 2023
A student skating boarding near the Eiffel Tower.
Girls posing in Versailles.

Select Your Program Option:

  • Fall 2023

  • Spring 2024

  • Fall 2024

  • Spring 2025

Overview

Spend a semester or academic year in the enchanting city of Paris, France, with AIFS! Choose from a variety of course options at the prestigious Cours de Civilisation Française de la Sorbonne (CCFS). Located in the heart of Paris, students benefit from having one of the world’s greatest capitals of culture as their campus. Give your French language skills a head-start while enjoying the French Riviera with the Optional Early Start Program in Cannes.

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 16 semester credits depending on program 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)

  • Early Start Program in Cannes

    Intensive French Language and Culture Preparation Program prior to the fall quarter and spring semester

  • Housing Supplements

    Homestay single room

Program Details: Study Abroad | Paris Multi Discipline

Program is closed

Dates

October 5, 2023December 15, 2023

Term

Fall

Institution

Cours de Civilisation Française de la Sorbonne

Application Deadline

August 28, 2023

Inclusive Fees

$15,490

Stay for a year to save on cost

Eligibility

Open to High School Graduate, 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

  • Foreign Language
  • French Language

Global Themes

  • 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:

The prestige of the Sorbonne is matched by few educational institutions. Dating back to 1919, the Cours de Civilisation Française de la Sorbonne (CCFS) has the status of a private institution for the teaching of French as a foreign language.

The CCFS offers classes in French to all levels, from beginners, to teachers of French as a foreign language, and everyone in between. There are also lecture courses and seminars on French Civilization offered to AIFS students in French and in English. 

  • Foreign Language
  • French Language

Give your French skills a head-start and earn an extra 2 credits by choosing the Early Start Program which takes place in Cannes prior to the Fall Quarter and the Spring Semester. 

Cannes, on the French Riviera is a sunny Mediterranean resort with a mild climate. Classes are taught by the faculty of the Campus International de Cannes, which issues transcripts for the Early Start Program. The Campus is a private institution of higher learning founded in 1931 and is certified by the National Ministry of Education. Situated about a mile from the old port and elegant boutiques on the world-famous Boulevard de la Croisette, the Campus is set in spacious and attractive grounds next to the beach. 

Students taking this option will arrive in Cannes before the Paris program begins and take an intensive French course focusing on written French, basic grammar, pronunciation, phrases and vocabulary needed for everyday life. All levels of French are available from Beginner through Superior and Experienced. The course gives you the opportunity to make a gradual adjustment to academic life and living in France and prepares you for the Paris program. 

Transcripts are issued by the Campus International de Cannes. Classes meet for a total of 30 hours in small groups of approximately 15. 

Accommodation is in dorms and two meals a day are provided in the dining hall. Train transfer from Cannes to Paris is included. 

All students are required to take a French language course. French is available from Beginner through Superior level and all courses include a phonetics component. The appropriate course level is determined by a placement test taken online prior to departure from the U.S. 

Semester program students take additional electives taught in English or French (depending on their language level). Fall quarter students take French language only. See below for more detail. 

French classes meet for 2 hours per day Monday through Friday for 12 weeks and phonetics for an hour per day Monday through Friday for 6 weeks for a total of 150 contact hours recommended for 10 semester credits. 

Students can either take two electives taught in English (each elective meets for 45 contact hours and carries a recommended 3 semester credits) or they can take an elective taught in English plus a 1-credit French History and Culture lecture course taught in French. Students may select up to 3 of these 1-credit electives, subject to any schedule conflicts. 

The minimum semester course load is 12 credits and the maximum course load is 16 credits. 16 credits is a very heavy load and AIFS recommends students take a maximum of 14 credits. 

Quarter students will take only French language courses. Classes meet for 3 hours per day Monday through Friday for 8 weeks and phonetics for an hour per day Monday through Friday for 6 weeks for a total of 150 contact hours recommended for 10 semester credits. 

All students are required to take a French language course. French is available from Beginner through Superior level and all courses include a phonetics component. The appropriate course level is determined by a placement test taken online prior to departure from the U.S. 

Semester program students take additional electives taught in English or French (depending on their language level). See below for more detail. 

French classes meet for 2 hours per day Monday through Friday for 12 weeks and phonetics for an hour per day Monday through Friday for 6 weeks for a total of 150 contact hours recommended for 10 semester credits. 

Students can either take two electives taught in English (each elective meets for 45 contact hours and carries a recommended 3 semester credits) or they can take an elective taught in English plus a 1-credit French History and Culture lecture course taught in French. Students may select up to 3 of these 1-credit electives, subject to any schedule conflicts. 

The minimum semester course load is 12 credits and the maximum course load is 16 credits. 16 credits is a very heavy load and AIFS recommends students take a maximum of 14 credits. 

View All Courses For Multi Discipline
Devan Instagram Takeover

A DAY IN THE LIFE
paris

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

A group of students on bicycles.

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 the Paris public transport 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 authentic and insightful view of French life. Typical activities, tours and visits include:

  • Monet’s Garden 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 supplementary fee for some events.

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 where volunteer students distribute food parcels and hot meals to homeless people in Paris; Emmaüs which develops literacy programs and provides leisure activities for disadvantaged children in Paris; Secours Populaire a charity which provides access to health facilities, education and food for those in need. 

For more information contact the AIFS 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
    August 28, 2023
  • Deposit Deadline
    August 18, 2023
  • Scholarship Deadline
    April 20, 2023
  • Visa Deadline****
  • Optional Departure Flight from US***
    October 4, 2023
  • Program Begins
    October 5, 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
    $1,380
  • Boston
    $1,380
  • Buffalo
    $1,320
  • Charlotte
    $1,440
  • Chicago
    $1,560
  • Cincinnati
    $1,420
  • Columbus
    $1,380
  • Dallas
    $1,560
  • Denver
    $1,560
  • Des Moines
    $1,520
  • Detroit
    $1,440
  • Houston
    $1,500
  • Los Angeles
    $1,440
  • Miami
    $1,460
  • Minneapolis
    $1,540
  • New York
    $1,360
  • Newark
    $1,360
  • Orlando
    $1,480
  • Philadelphia
    $1,400
  • Phoenix
    $1,560
  • Pittsburgh
    $1,500
  • Raleigh/Durham
    $1,480
  • San Francisco
    $1,580
  • Seattle
    $1,600
  • St. Louis
    $1,520
  • Washington/Dulles
    $1,440
  • 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