AIFS Study Abroad Program in Paris, France
Spend an amazing semester studying abroad at the Cours de Civilisation Francaise de la Sorbonne, University of Paris IV or the Catholic University of Paris with AIFS! In between classes you can look forward to enjoying cafes and restaurants throughout the famous City of Lights. Explore France's artistic and architectural heritage with visits to world-class museums like the Louvre, d'Orsay and Pompidou Centre, and monuments like the Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame.
Take in all that Paris has to offer while perfecting your French in "La Ville Lumiere." For more information about studying abroad in Paris with AIFS, please visit our website to fill out an online application.
Reviews
90%Overall
Rating
100%Overall
Rating
First of all, this program provided The Best Class I've ever taken in my entire academic life,(and i've gone to school in four countries now)Philosophy spring sem. '08... I'll risk sounding overly drammatic, and say it changed my life, in more ways than one. The teacher was brilliantly unconventional, and quite simply awesome. I credit that single class for developing the kind of critical thinking that all colleges claim to foster in our(students) minds, but they don't, not really... it was truly liberating experience, and I'll never forget it, thank you...
Now, everything else: AIFS staff was fantastic, completely supportive and helpful as much as they could with absolutely everything. Computers/internet, books, class/test schedules, etc. welcome to hang out as much as you want, and generally a positive place to be.
The program was very good, it wasn't straight french shcool, more of a cultural education program for foreign students, language, culture, history, architecture(i wasn't there, but they took tours all around paris), but they left more than enough Free time to explore on one's own.
One pleasant surprise were the weekend excursions out of town, which weren't mentioned ahead of time, completely free, busses, hotels when overnight, visited castles, old walled cities, vinyards(caves), parfume factory, Van Gogh's room, etc, etc. Don't miss those...
And Overall everyone was great, I haven't met oe rude person the whole time i was there, the whole french stereotypes we hear in u.s.- that's all they are stereotypes. I've heard some ppl had issues here and there, but my theory is that your attitude is reflected back at you from others, be nice to others and they'll(mostly) do the same.
final and i think the most important advice I could give is to be open to everything new and/or different. Say Ciao to your comfort zone, and live a litte, enjoy your time here, there, everywhere...
Cheers
100%Overall
Rating
I went abroad for a semester because I wanted to challenge myself, to become more independent, more wordly, and be able to relate to many different kinds of people. I also wanted to improve my French. My experience provided all of that and more. It's been a year now since I was in Paris, and I miss it every day--I wouldn't give up my time in Paris for anything.
During the week, we had classes every day. You could choose however many classes you wanted to take. Don't let the program staff bully you into taking more than you want to take--the point of being in Paris is NOT to go to school and study your butt off, but to experience the city! I took the required language class (3 hours/day) and one other French Civlization class. Both were good classes but were time consuming. I decided early on that my grades didn't matter that much to me and was much happier after that. The language class is every day, and the other classes are once or twice a week. I lived with one other girl in a French family's house, which was amazing. We had our own bedroom. We would wake up, eat the breakfast provided by the family, catch the metro to school, go to class, then do something fun in the afternoons (museums, parks, etc). Our classes were located in the middle of Paris, right across the river from Notre Dame Cathedral.
The excursions provided by the program are wonderful. They're free, they're guided by experts--why wouldn't you go? They took us to places like Versailles, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Edith Piaf museum.
Wonderful, amazing, life-changing, extraordinarily fun! DO IT!
90%Overall
Rating
I was very pleased with my experience with AIFS. The staff over there was extremely supportive and helpful and they worked hard to coordinate great housing and activities. The academics could have been more rigorous with more courses that were actually in French and with French students. Also, there could have been more organized opportunities to interact with French students because almost all of our academic time was spent with American or other international students. The average day consisted of attending language courses that were tailored to the individual's level and these classes were shared with international students. In addition to the language classes, all participants had at least 2 additional classes that were spaced out during the week. I had two classes that met twice a week for 2 hours and one class that met once a week for 3 hours. Two of these courses were extremely informative and offered great opportunities to learn more about and explore Paris. After classes, students were free to visit the AIFS and hang out, explore the city, or go to lunch and dinner together. Though classes were important, the majority of the experience was available for exploration, fun, and a simple enjoyment of and experience with the city.
90%Overall
Rating
This program caters to a broad range of people.
Our Spring 2008 group had students who had never been out of the country and chose to live on-campus, while some more advanced French speakers lived in homestays or in off-campus apartments. The living options make it easy to tailor everything to your comfort and independence level. I was in an off-campus apartment, which meant more freedom, and being able to cook your own food. We had an amazing outdoor market in front of our place every week, so it was popular to shop there.
On-campus people had meal plans with the school, so they were a bit more limited. (Living on-campus also had a 2am curfew/lockout, so beware of that.)
My only words of wisdom are to understand that this is an American-heavy program. Since you're surrounded by dozens of fellow Americans in classes and housing, it's easy to bond with them and forget to explore what makes the French tick.
I'll always remember the night my friend and I were sitting elbow-to-elbow in this crowded Basque restaurant in the 11th arrondissement. The people next to me heard us speaking English and asked us how we liked France. We talked with them for the entire dinner. These kind of situations really made the semester memorable, and probably wouldn't have happened if we'd been a huge group of Americans.
Take advantage of the support and cultural activities AIFS provides, but remember to get out and break free from the group when you can!
Users who viewed this program also viewed...
Further Info
About AIFS Study Abroad
Founded in 1964, AIFS prides itself as an industry leader in providing summer, semester, and academic year study abroad programs. AIFS sends nearly 5,000 undergraduates every month to study abroad in one of 23 AIFS international campuses.
Programs are available in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Botswana, Brazil, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Greece, India, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Peru, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Turkey, as well as multi-country programs. AIFS offers Gap Year programs, along with internships and volunteer opportunities abroad. With locations throughout the world, AIFS College Study Abroad is able to offers high-quality, college-level courses in subject areas as diverse as Islamic Studies, French Cinema, business and engineering.
All of Their Programs
Program Information
Related Programs
-
97% Overall Rating - 7 Reviews
-
88% Overall Rating - 6 Reviews
-
92% Overall Rating - 6 Reviews
-
92% Overall Rating - 6 Reviews
-
93% Overall Rating - 6 Reviews
This program was all that I could have hoped for! It started out with three amazing days in London, England. We were given a tour of central London by a wonderful tour guide name Nicki, she showed out group all of the best places to go, the best places to eat, and many historical sites as well. After London, we were off to Cannes, France. It was just stunning, clear water, friendly staff, and excursions to Nice and Monaco. We were housed in dorms for our 2 week language orientation, which helped all of us get closer to each other as well as practice our French skills. This part of our trip was the most essential part! It was hard work getting used to the French educational system, which is a lot like the Socratic method used in Law schools, but you learn so much!
After a 5 hour TGV ride, we were finally in Paris. Breathtaking is the only word that one can use. We explored in our group, and most of us became flaneurs, and found a bunch of great spots to hang out, do homework, or just have a picque-nique.When it came to the Sorbonne's placement tests, I think all of us were scared, but it went off fabulously! The teachers were extremely nice, while their homework was sometimes difficult. They really want their students to learn, so they push them academically. Trust me, it is well worth it! I learned so much and now I am not scared to speak French. By the end of my time abroad, French just rolled off of my tongue. The best part of the experience were the ladies at the AIFS: Paris office! They are just great, they are always there for you and want you to do your best and have the best time possible. When it was time to leave, I cried my eyes out when I had to say good-bye to them. Everyone should go on this trip, it will change you forever. I am now independent and my french language skills have greatly improved. Apply, Apply, Apply!!! You will not regret it!