Interdisciplinary Study in Paris with IFE!

In spring 2023, I studied on the Institute for Field Education’s Paris Program. This program is a particularly enriching experience for students looking to blend multiple studies. As an English Literature major and a French minor, I was able to immerse myself in the French language while also furthering my literature education with an internship at the Sorbonne’s Department for Research in Comparative Literature. IFE has a great support system for finding an internship, preparing you for it, and working through it with students. I knew people who worked in a variety of fields: media production, marketing, science, architecture, political/social organizations, and more! The program has a strong support staff that works to build community and give their students a special experience. IFE is not a program for folks that are looking for a chance to be in a new place/explore; it’s an academic program that can be rigorous at times but still rewarding. It’s a very good chance to have practical, professional experience while immersed in the French language. The classes themselves are not always the most interesting, but they do help stimulate listening and speaking comprehension.
IFE offers multiple locations that all have their own perks, and I found being in Paris very lively. Paris is easy to navigate and full of exciting things to do—from the obvious tourist landmarks to lesser-known museums, parks, and other haunts. It’s a beautiful, intimidating, and politically evocative environment. I found that Paris gave me the opportunity to live in a very dynamic city full of different perspectives, activities, and events. A lot of museums, tickets, and landmarks are at a reduced price (or free) to students 18-24 with an ID card, so do everything that you can! I personally recommend trying a homestay if possible with IFE’s program. It’s a further level of immersion and can offer some unique opportunities that the student dormitories (foyers) may not. I had a great experience with my host Mme Dartigues, and IFE staff can help you if you run into any issues.
Other than the internship opportunity, the best part of IFE for me was the community. I know it can be a gamble with the group you end up with, but I found we were able to establish a good rapport, connect over shared experiences, and make some really special memories. There are other students from the IFE program that I would still consider friends, months after the fact. In addition to the students, the program directors are very kind and helpful throughout the program. It would not have been the same without their support and the environment they helped to build within the program. If you can, visit Etretat and other cities outside of Paris! You’ll have to organize trips like these yourself (maybe with some other students in the program), but it’s really rewarding and cool to see places outside of Paris and get away from the city every once in a while! Especially take advantage of the break between the preparatory session and the internship (it’s about a week to just explore and have a good time)!