Study Business & International Affairs in Paris with IES Abroad

Paris - Business & International Affairs

Why Paris?

When most people think of Paris, they think of iconic sights like the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and the Arc de Triomphe. These sites are emblems of France’s history, but today Paris is one of the most important business, financial, and political centers of the world. It has one of the highest GDPs of any city, and is home to Fortune Global 500 companies that specialize in insurance, banking, and energy. As an important location in the European Union, Paris is also home to international agencies, such as the European Institute for Security Studies, the OECD, and UNESCO.

What You'll Study

Enjoy all that Paris has to offer while studying Business and International Affairs in the City of Light. If your French is at a high level, you can also enroll in an internship, which includes time spent working at your placement and an academic seminar that helps you contextualize what you’re learning.

This program offers IES Abroad courses taught by faculty from diverse backgrounds and disciplines. In addition to your IES Abroad courses, you can take English taught courses with French and international students at Paris School of Business, a business school located in the 13th arrondissement of Paris. . Enjoy course-related trips to other cities, like Geneva.

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Daily Life

Paris will also be your classroom. Imagine studying for an exam at a café near the Eiffel Tower, taking in the beauty of the art at the Musée d’Orsay, or strolling along

the River Seine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Everything you do will be part of your learning experience.

We want you to feel at home in Paris, so we do everything we can to help you integrate into life in the city. From housing to cultural events, our job is to make sure you have the most authentic study abroad experience possible. Most students live in French homes to get a taste for what Parisian life is really like. Our staff also keeps you and your fellow students informed of affordable local activities and events happening in Paris.

$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid

We firmly believe that financial limitations should not prevent a qualified student from participating in an IES Abroad Program. This is why we commit more than $6 million to our scholarship and aid programs.

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Academics

Our mission is simple: to provide you with the highest quality academic and cultural experience abroad possible.

We offer unique courses that explore international business, political science, communications, French language, and more through an in-depth and hands-on approach. Our world-class professors and course options at a prestigious local university enhance your academic experience and provide you with new perspectives each day in class.

While in Paris, you take 15–19 credits per semester; all courses are worth 3 US credits unless otherwise specified.

Based on your qualifications for taking Business courses and your language level, your academic experience may include the following required and optional components:

French language course (required, 4 US credits)
IES Abroad Paris Business & International Affairs courses (optional, 3 US credits; English-taught, prerequisites for individual courses apply)
IB/MG393 Global Leadership course (optional, 3 US credits) To develop your cross-cultural leadership skills
Internship placement and seminar (optional, 3 US credits, requires placement into FR352 or higher)
PSB Paris School of Business course (optional, 2.5 US credits; English-taught; prerequisites for individual courses apply)

Enrollment Guidelines

When planning your term abroad, please note the following guidelines regarding specific courses:

You may enroll in only one Art History course.
BS/FR324 Business French, AH/FR380 Language of the Arts, and FR/CM325 French Conversation & Current Events are French-taught electives and do not replace a French language course. These courses are open to students who have placed into an FR 352 or higher.

IES Abroad French Language Courses

The IES Abroad program begins with one week of intensive language classes. You continue your language instruction for the remainder of the semester for a total of 4 credits.

Enrollment is determined by a written predeparture language exam followed by an intensive language period on-site, during which oral proficiency is evaluated.

Courses

This is a list of planned course offerings. After you are accepted, you will see a list of final course offerings in your MyIESabroad account.

To learn more about IES Abroad’s innovative theoretical and pedagogical approaches to teaching language abroad, refer to the IES Abroad MAP for Language & Intercultural Communication.

Art History
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
AH 215 - History of Paris in Architecture & Art	Fall, Spring	English	3
AH 320 - 19th Century Art: Impressionism and Post-Impressionism	Fall, Spring	English	3
AH/FR 380 - Language of the Arts	Fall, Spring	French	3
CU/AH 250 - Art and Design in the roaring twenties: from Art Nouveau to Art Decos	Fall, Spring	English	3

Business Administration
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
FR/BS 324 - Business French	Fall, Spring	French	3

Communications
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
CM 315 - Panorama of French Media	Fall, Spring	English	3
CM/MK 340 - Luxury Business Strategies & Communication	Fall, Spring	English	3
FR/CM 325 - French Conversation and Current Events	Fall, Spring	French	3
PO/CM 320 - Media and Current Affairs in France and the European Union	Fall, Spring	English	3
PO/CM 330 - Media, Politics, and Political Communication in the U.S. and France	Fall, Spring	English	3

Cultural Studies
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
CU/AH 250 - Art and Design in the roaring twenties: from Art Nouveau to Art Decos	Fall, Spring	English	3
FH/CU 220 - Art, Design & Fashion in France	Fall, Spring	English	3

Economics
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
IR/EC 340 - Economic Integration and European Markets	Fall, Spring	English	3
PO/EC 350 - International Political Economy	Fall, Spring	English	3
PO/IR/EC 355 - Emerging Markets and Development Strategies in the 21st Century	Fall, Spring	English	3

Fashion
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
FH/CU 220 - Art, Design & Fashion in France	Fall, Spring	English	3

French Language
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
AH/FR 380 - Language of the Arts	Fall, Spring	French	3
FR 101 - French Language in Context: Novice Abroad I	Fall, Spring	French	4
FR 201 - French Language in Context: Novice Abroad III	Fall, Spring	French	4
FR 301 - French Language in Context: Emerging Independent Abroad I	Fall, Spring	French	4
FR 303 - French Language in Context: Emerging Independent Abroad III	Fall, Spring	French	4
FR 352 - French Language in Context: Independent Abroad II	Fall, Spring	French	4
FR 401 - French Language in Context: Emerging Competent Abroad I	Fall, Spring	French	4
FR/BS 324 - Business French	Fall, Spring	French	3
FR/CM 325 - French Conversation and Current Events	Fall, Spring	French	3

History
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
PO/HS 290 - History of Europe: Building Contemporary Europe	Fall, Spring	English	3
SO/HS 315 - France, the Middle East and Islam	Fall, Spring	English	3
SO/PO/HS 340 - Transatlantic Identities	Fall, Spring	English	3

International Business
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
IB 360 - Entrepreneurship & Start-Ups: A European Perspective	Fall, Spring	English	3
IB/MG 371 - International and Intercultural Management	Fall, Spring	English	3
MG/IB 393 - Leading Across Cultures: Principles and Practice	Fall, Spring	English	3

International Political Econ
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
PO/IE/IR 370 - Green Growth, Sustainability, and the New Economy	Fall, Spring	English	3

Internship Seminar
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
IN 395 - Internship Seminar	Fall, Spring	French	3

International Relations
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
IR/EC 340 - Economic Integration and European Markets	Fall, Spring	English	3
IR/PO 310 - France and the European Union	Fall, Spring	English	3
PO/IE/IR 370 - Green Growth, Sustainability, and the New Economy	Fall, Spring	English	3
PO/IR 345 - New Security Issues in a Globalized World	Fall, Spring	English	3
PO/IR/EC 355 - Emerging Markets and Development Strategies in the 21st Century	Fall, Spring	English	3

Management
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
IB/MG 371 - International and Intercultural Management	Fall, Spring	English	3
MG/IB 393 - Leading Across Cultures: Principles and Practice	Fall, Spring	English	3

Marketing
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
CM/MK 340 - Luxury Business Strategies & Communication	Fall, Spring	English	3
MK 315 - Introduction to Global Marketing	Fall, Spring	English	3
MK 330 - Introduction to Luxury Brand Management	Fall, Spring	English	3
MK 350 - Digital Marketing & Communications	Fall, Spring	English	3

Political Science
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
IR/PO 310 - France and the European Union	Fall, Spring	English	3
PO/CM 320 - Media and Current Affairs in France and the European Union	Fall, Spring	English	3
PO/CM 330 - Media, Politics, and Political Communication in the U.S. and France	Fall, Spring	English	3
PO/EC 350 - International Political Economy	Fall, Spring	English	3
PO/HS 290 - History of Europe: Building Contemporary Europe	Fall, Spring	English	3
PO/IE/IR 370 - Green Growth, Sustainability, and the New Economy	Fall, Spring	English	3
PO/IR 345 - New Security Issues in a Globalized World	Fall, Spring	English	3
PO/IR/EC 355 - Emerging Markets and Development Strategies in the 21st Century	Fall, Spring	English	3
SO/PO 312 - France Today: Politics and Society	Fall, Spring	English	3
SO/PO/HS 340 - Transatlantic Identities	Fall, Spring	English	3

Sociology
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
SO/HS 315 - France, the Middle East and Islam	Fall, Spring	English	3
SO/PO 312 - France Today: Politics and Society	Fall, Spring	English	3
SO/PO/HS 340 - Transatlantic Identities	Fall, Spring	English	3
US/SO 360 - Contemporary Paris: Politics, Policies, and People	Fall, Spring	English	3

Urban Studies
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
US/SO 360 - Contemporary Paris: Politics, Policies, and People	Fall, Spring	English	3

Partner Institution(s)

Paris School of Business

Founded in 1974, the Paris School of Business is a Grande École management school located in the 13th arrondissement of Paris. The school is known for academic excellence and international preparation. Students attending classes at the Paris School of Business will be able to take advantage of the many clubs and vibrant energy on campus. The university offers a variety of English-taught business courses, which are worth 2.5 credits. You can select from courses in the following areas:

Potential course offerings may include:

Business Ethics
Entrepreneurship
Intercultural Communication
International and Corporate Finance
International Management
International Marketing

Internships

Interning while you study in Paris gives you a rewarding job experience with a wealth of long-lasting career benefits. You will:

Gain a better understanding of the real-life, everyday culture of your host country
Add global work experience and skills to your résumé or your application for graduate school
Improve your confidence

Internships are open to students who place into FR352 or higher. All of our internships are supervised and earn IES Abroad credit. You participate in a 3-credit seminar to complement the practical experience you gain during the internship.

Placement Examples

Past students have interned in the following fields. Don’t see your field listed here? Just talk to your IES Abroad Advisor—we are always seeking out new opportunities for our students.

Business & Startups
Communications
Human Resources
Marketing

Field Trips & Events

Even though your adventure starts in Paris, our field trips take you beyond the city to discover the culture and traditions of your host country. These trips are subsidized by IES Abroad. Here are a few possible destinations:

Normandy
2 Days | Fall & Spring
This overnight trip focused on World War II will introduce you to an important piece of French history. Visit museums commemorating the historical day as well as the American cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, located above Omaha Beach. There will also be a guided tour of a cider farm.

Loire Valley
2 Days | Spring
This overnight trip, focused on Renaissance castles and French royal sites, will introduce you to a very important part of French and culture and history. Discover some of the famous châteaux in the heart of the Loire valley.

Versailles
1 Day | Fall & Spring
Enjoy a visit to the Sun King’s famous château, in all its gilded glory, and tour the magnificent gardens and fountains.

Fontainebleau and Vaux-le-Vicomte
1 Day | Fall
Tour these beautiful châteaux just outside of Paris. Dating back to the 12th century, the massive Châteaux de Fontainebleau offers manicured gardens and lakes. Although smaller in stature, Châteaux de Vaux-le-Comte is a baroque masterpiece.

Giverny
1 Day | Spring
Visit artist Claude Monet’s home in the beautiful village of Giverny, and walk through the spectacular gardens that gave him so much inspiration. Monet’s water lily paintings and many others were painted here.

Note: IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities, and length of stay may vary according to term and availability.

Course-Related Trips

Course-related trips are organized as an integral part of IES Abroad courses and contribute to a general knowledge of French culture and society. Participation is based on course registration. Examples of past course-related trips are listed below:

The Champagne Region
1 Day | Fall & Spring
Visit the city of Épernay in the heart of the Champagne region to meet Champagne producers and learn how it is made.

Geneva
1 Day | Fall & Spring
Visit international organizations like the International Institute for Sustainable Development, the United Nations, or the World Trade Organization.

Daily Life

Part of making you feel at home in Paris is doing our best to help you feel safe and cared for. Whether it is an orientation program that makes you feel prepared, your housing that is well-located and comfortable, or field trips that take you to places off the beaten path—we’re all about our student services.

Orientation

The program begins with a two-day orientation that introduces you to the IES Abroad Paris Business & International Affairs staff, your fellow students, and the city of Paris.

A welcome dinner and a bus tour of the city are included in orientation.

Following orientation, you engage in a week-long intensive French language program that prepares you for life in France and includes cultural visits to help you discover the city.

Our Comprehensive Orientation & Re-Entry Experience (CORE™) begins right when you arrive and continues through the semester with activities focusing on academic and cultural adjustment. Detailed information about housing, public transportation, culture, health and safety, and other important topics are also covered.

Housing

We want to make sure that your greatest challenge is deciding which landmarks to see first or discovering the best café—not finding a place to live where you feel comfortable. We do our best to locate housing that is reflective of how the local students are living. Our goal is that when you leave Paris, it will feel like home.

Homestays - Stay in a French home in the city of Paris or its surrounding banlieues (suburbs), and have breakfast daily and three evening meals per week with your host(s). Other meals are available at university cafeterias and inexpensive restaurants.

International House - A limited number of single rooms with private bathrooms are available at a foyer managed by a Catholic association. Female students of all religious backgrounds are welcome. Students have access to a common kitchen, lounge, and laundry room. Meals are not included.

Apartments - A limited number of shared apartments are available for an additional cost. Apartments include kitchen facilities and shared bathrooms. An IES Abroad Resident Assistant lives on-site or nearby. Meals are not included. Internet is available.

Extracurricular Activities & Cultural Events

Redefine the way you live and learn in Paris through our cultural events, such as:

Guided tours of the Marais, the Latin Quarter, and the high fashion district
Outings to operas, ballets, and other cultural events

Get to Know Your New City

Get More Monet For Your Money!

Spend all the time you want in the many museums of Paris like the Musée d’Orsay with cheap ticket prices thanks to your IES Abroad student card.

Bask in the Good Life at the Place des Vosges

This stately square features arched arcades, and gorgeous 17th- and 18th-century apartment buildings surrounding an immaculate garden. Grab a cup of coffee, have a seat on a bench, and take in the surroundings.

Picnic by the Seine

Watch boats and share brie on baguettes with friends, then dance while live bands play on the river banks.

Explore the Parc de la Villette

This massive park is home to a canal, themed gardens, museums, a cinema, and large architectural sculptures.

Encore! Encore! Enjoy the Theatre

Experience ballet and opera performances under a ceiling painted by Marc Chagall at the Palais Garnier opera house.

Program Cost

Consider these prices as a starting point. We encourage you to contact your study abroad office to determine the actual cost to you when factoring in financial aid, scholarships, your home school policies, and other factors.

Term: Spring 2020
Term	Tuition	Housing	Insurance	Total
Spring 2020	$15,520	$3,650	$230	$19,400

Term: Fall 2020
Term	Tuition	Housing	Insurance	Total
Fall 2020 Academic Year	$15,520 $27,920	$3,650 $7,300	$230 $455	$19,400 $35,675

Scholarships & Aid

Program-Specific Scholarships

Robert McNeill Need-Based International Business Scholarship

Up to $3,000; awarded to 2 students each year

This scholarship is named in honor of Robert McNeill, member of the IES Abroad Board of Directors for 25 years (6 years as Chairman). Open to students who have an interest in international business. Majors might include management, marketing, economics, finance, international relations, and social and behavioral sciences.

Dr. William Louis Gaines Need-Based History or International Relations Scholarship

Up to $1,875; awarded to 4-6 students each year

This scholarship is named in honor of Dr. William Louis Gaines, President of IES Abroad from 1974-1992. Dr. Gaines was dedicated to strengthening IES Abroad's academic framework, broadening the scope of IES Abroad locations, and securing the financial foundation of the organization.

Open to students majoring in History or International Relations.

Use our budget worksheet to calculate your costs

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$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid

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Our Center

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professor working with students in a classroom at the Paris BIA Center

While in Paris, we want to ensure you have every opportunity to immerse yourself in new experiences. That’s why our IES Abroad Paris Business & International Affairs Center staff is committed to providing outstanding academic and student support services. We take care of the details, so you can soak up every moment of your Parisian experience.

The Paris Business & International Affairs Center is located in the 15th arrondissement, in a residential area between the Vaugirard & Plaisance metro stops. The area has many shops and is well-served by public transportation.

Our Center is your connection point for all things IES Abroad.

Take your IES Abroad courses in the Center's technology-equipped classrooms
Browse resources in the book corner
Work on homework in the student computer area
Meet with staff in their offices

Other features include: High-speed WiFi connectivity, printer access, and video keypad security system

Our Staff

Nathalie Lenfant

Center Director

Nathalie Lenfant has been the Director of the IES Abroad Paris Business & International Affairs Program since its inception in 2007. She has worked with IES Abroad since 1998, when she began as the Internship Coordinator of the Paris French Studies Center. She was named Associate Director of IES Abroad Paris French Studies in 2002. She holds a French License in English with a specialization in American Civilization from the University of Poitiers and a graduate degree from the École Supérieure de Traducteur Interprète et Commerce Extérieur of the Catholic University in Lille. During her studies, Mme. Lenfant spent a year as a foreign exchange student in Richmond, Virginia, and a summer as a student at Oregon State University. Prior to joining IES Abroad, Mme. Lenfant worked at the French National Office of American Field Service (AFS) as a regional coordinator of volunteering, and as a coordinator of housing, intercultural training, and student activities.