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Paris Summer – Language Immersion
$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid
Academics
Our mission is simple: to provide you with the highest quality academic and cultural experience abroad possible.
You will enroll in one or two courses depending on your language level. You either enroll in one language course, one language and one area studies course, or two area studies courses. All courses are taught in French at the IES Abroad Center by local faculty.
- Students with 2-3 semesters of French will enroll in Intermediate Intensive French Language and Culture.
- Students with 4-5 semesters of French will take Advanced Grammar & Culture and one French-taught area studies course.
- Students with 6 or more semesters of French will take two French-taught area studies courses.
Courses
These courses are taught at the IES Abroad Center by local faculty.
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.
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| SO/FP 320 - Immigration and Diversity in Paris | French | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| FR 251 - Intermediate Intensive French Language and Culture | Summer | French | 6 |
| FR 301 - Advanced Grammar and Culture | Summer | French | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| HS 353 - Histories and Legends of Paris | Summer | French | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| PO 382 - French Foreign and European Policy | Spring | French | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| SO/FP 320 - Immigration and Diversity in Paris | French | 3 |
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. Here are a few possible destinations:
Giverny
1 Day | Summer
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.
Normandy
1 Day | Summer
A morning train ride takes us to the historic beaches of Normandy. Explore museums and discover the harbor remains in the town of Arromanches, followed by a visit to Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery.
IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities and lengths of stay may vary according to term and availability.
Course-Related Trips
IES Abroad Paris organizes course-related trips that complement what you’re learning in the classroom, and contribute to your general knowledge of French culture and society. Destinations may include:
- Île-Saint-Louis
- Musée Carnavalet
- Maison de Victor Hugo
- Musée d'Orsay
- Neighborhood tours
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’s the orientation program that prepares you for what’s ahead, your housing that is well-located and comfortable, or the field trips that take you to places off the beaten path—we’re all about our student services.
Orientation
Your program begins at home with our virtual orientation to help you prepare for your IES Abroad experience. Orientation continues once you arrive abroad and introduces you to the IES Abroad Paris staff, your fellow students, and the city of Paris. During the first week of the program, you will begin your language learning experience and participate in activities to meet and bond with others at the same language level.
Once on-site, you will participate in a one day orientation which includes a welcome dinner, cultural activities, a walking tour of the city, and introductory sessions on life in Paris.
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.
Apartments – Single room in apartment complex, with students accross many floors. Apartments include kitchen facilities. Meals are not included. Laundry and fitness facilities available onsite.
Private Residence Hall – IES has a very limited number of single rooms available in a local private female-only residence hall. You will have a private bathroom, and access to communal spaces shared accross residents. This option is only available to students with a demonstrated level of French proficiency.
Extracurricular Activities & Cultural Events
During your summer in Paris there will be plenty of opportunities to experience the local culture.
Some past IES Abroad events have included:
- Ballets at the opera
- Theater performances at local theaters
- Visits to open air markets
- A wine tasting
- Museum visits
- Neighborhood tours
- Picnics in local parks
- Conversation club with French students.
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 | Tuition | Housing | Insurance | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer 2022 | $5,533 | $1,676 | $135 |
$7,344 |
Scholarships & Aid
Use our budget worksheet to calculate your costs
$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid
Our Center
The IES Abroad Paris French Studies Center is located on a bustling market street near the Cimetière du Montparnasse. The area is filled with restaurants, food shops, boutiques, and cafés.
Our Center is your connection point for all things IES Abroad.
- Take your IES Abroad courses in the Center's classrooms
- Meet with staff in their offices
- Study in the library
- Connect with friends in the student foyer
- Enjoy a sunny day sitting in the garden
Other features include: high-speed internet, WiFi, and printer access
Our Staff
Scott Lyngaas, Ph.D.
Center Director
Dr. Scott Lyngaas has been the IES Abroad Paris French Studies Center Director since 2014. Scott came to IES Abroad from Beloit College, where he was Associate Dean and Associate Professor of French. He received his doctorate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he wrote his dissertation on Francophone historical fiction. In addition to Paris, Dr. Lyngaas has also lived and worked in Aix-en-Provence and Brussels.
Health & Safety
With 70 years of experience, we are proud to set the standard for health and safety in study abroad. Our Chicago-based and on-site staff are all highly trained and experienced in the matters of health, safety, and crisis management. We are here for you from predeparture to your return, and are ready to support you—no matter what time zone you’re in.
In response to COVID-19, enhanced safety guidelines will be implemented this year—such as social distancing and personal protective equipment (PPE) in on-site classes, in-country field trips and travel only, and apartment or residence hall housing (no homestays) that ensures proper space should self-quarantining be necessary.
How We Support You
We plan for "what if" so that you don't have to. From international health insurance included in the cost of your program to highly-trained local staff who can connect you to English-speaking healthcare providers, we are working around the clock to ensure your health and safety while abroad.
Learn more about the support you can expect to receive on our programs, including:
- International health insurance through CISI in the case you need to see a doctor or mental health professional
- 24/7 emergency support whether you encounter an issue while traveling or in your host city
- Location-specific health and safety information presented at orienation by on-site staff
- TripTracker system allowing you to share independent travel plans in case you need to be contacted swiftly in a crisis
- A mandatory cell phone policy so that you can be contacted locally and receive any emergency updates via call or text
- Crisis drills so that you feel prepared to respond to an emergency should one arise
- And more!
Health & Safety Resources
You safety begins with being accurately informed from the moment you're considering study abroad through to the day you return home.
Take note of ways you can maintain your health and stay safe abroad while reviewing our resources, including:
- IES Abroad MAP for Student Health, Safety & Crisis Management
- Study Abroad Safety Tips for Traveling
- IES Abroad Student Blogs on Safety and Mental Health
- And more!
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Contact a Past Student
From budgeting tips to housing insight, IES Abroad Ambassadors volunteer their study abroad and internship experiences and advice.
