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The Experiment: France: Cultural Discovery

The Experiment: France: Cultural Discovery

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The Experiment in International Living
4.85 · 27 reviews
Community Choice Award Winner
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The Experiment in International Living

 4.85 · 27 reviews
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Location
  • France
    • Paris
Length
2 - 4 weeks
Program Categories
Adventure Travel Cultural Immersion Language Immersion Study Abroad
Need-based funding, General grants/scholarships
Health & Safety
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Program Details

Program Type
Direct Enrollment
Timeframe
Summer
Housing
Host Family Hotel
Language
French

Pricing

Starting Price
6571
Price Details
Program fee includes college credit, meals, lodging, all program activities, in-country transportation, health insurance, and experienced group leaders.
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Meals Transportation
What's Included (Extra)

Health insurance

What's Not Included
Airfare
Oct 22, 2025
Jan 10, 2026
Wish List
14 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Experience the richness of France on a journey that blends culture, history, and cuisine. Begin in Paris, exploring landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and Champs-Élysées while savoring local flavors and café culture. Live like a local during a 9-day homestay in a northern or southern town, sharing meals and traditions with your host family. Continue your travels to regional highlights, Colmar in the north or Lyon in the south, to explore unique heritage and culinary traditions. Conclude in Paris with a hands-on baking workshop, reflecting on your unforgettable journey through France’s landscapes, flavors, and way of life.

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COMMUNITY REVIEWS SUMMARY

This program offers deep cultural immersion through homestays and diverse group experiences across France and Germany.

AI-generated summary from verified community reviews Read reviews →

Video and Photos

Video thumbnail Play Video
Group of students pose in Paris
Student with arms outspread in French village
Group of students pose in front of the Arc de Triomphe
Flower shop in France
Group of students pose in front of the Eiffel Tower
Food in cafe in France
Group of Experimenters
View of canals in France

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Diversity & Inclusion 💙

Diverse identities and experiences are essential to intercultural exchange. We are committed to recruiting and supporting participants of the broadest socioeconomic, racial, ethnic, and geographic diversity of any high school exchange program in the world.
Diverse identities and experiences are essential to intercultural exchange. We are committed to recruiting and supporting participants of the broadest socioeconomic, racial, ethnic, and geographic diversity of any high school exchange program in the world.

Impact 🌎

Environmental sustainability is a key component of all programs. Participants minimize their environmental footprint by using public transit, eating local food, and participating in community service projects in collaboration with, and according to, the needs of local communities.
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Social and environmental responsibility is more critical now than ever. We are committed to delivering programs that support and are respectful of the diverse communities and ecosystems that host our programs.

Our programs are developed in close consultation with local and international partners and with a critical understanding of the communities and regions we visit.
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Program Highlights

  • Gain lifetime experiences while engaged in a program that combines city stay, homestay, visits to museums and famous sites, language immersion, and outdoor activities.
  • Experience authentic French daily life during a 9-day homestay—share meals, explore local sites, and connect with your host family to discover regional traditions and culture.
  • See much of Paris during visits to renowned sites and landmarks, such as the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum, as well as historic neighborhoods.
  • Enjoy French cuisine in streetside cafes and restaurants or during meals with your homestay family.
  • Practice your French language skills by interacting with locals, especially your peers.

Program Reviews

4.85 Rating
based on 27 reviews
Leave a Review
  • 5 rating 88.89%
  • 4 rating 7.41%
  • 3 rating 3.7%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Growth 4.75
  • Support 4.9
  • Fun 4.85
  • Housing 4.75
  • Safety 4.8
Good for Students, Adventure travelers, Under 18
Showing 25 - 27 of 27 reviews
Angie
26
Female
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

More Than I'd Hoped For

Aug 14, 2017

I'm so glad I went on this journey with no true expectations of what it would look like. The spontaneity with which I approached this beautifully complex foreign country made the experience all the more rich. I gained an immense amount of confidence in my french speaking abilities and formed close with bonds with the friends I met along the way and the places I hope to return to. And the best part was, as fate would have it, the part I dreaded the most: the homestay!

125 people found this review helpful.
Helpful
Hannah
Female
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Once in a Lifetime Experience

Aug 14, 2017

This program's main goal was to teach about the French culture and to teach about the regional differences. This program accomplished that and then some. Within the first day I learned about all 14 of my now great friends and I learned so much about the daily Paris life. It was busy busy busy, no time to stop. When we were participating in our homestays, I immediately noticed the differences in speak, and in culture. I felt immersed wherever I went, every time I was encouraged to speak French, and every time I spoke it without being encouraged. I felt truly like I was a part of the country. I adapted quickly and fell in love immediately. Now, back at home, I've implemented new things I learned into my home life. For example, I am in love with apricots now and buy them whenever I go to the store. I also encourage fresher produce and less store shopping and more farmer market outings. If you're looking for an amazing experience through an amazing program, go with this one. You won't regret it.

121 people found this review helpful.
Helpful
Monument where Parisians will peacefully protest
Pyramid to the Louvre
Inside Notre Dame
Eiffel Tower
Notre Dame
French Toast with Caramel Sauce and Ice Cream
View of Orange Town
Group shot under Pont du Gard
Group Leaders Canoeing
Kinder Treat
Roof of Hotel in Italy
Nhat
Male
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Cherishing The Memories For A Lifetime

Jul 27, 2017

The Experiment provided me with an amazing opportunity to travel to a beautiful country and meet new friends along the way. Their commitment to diversity cultivated an interesting group of individuals whose personalities heightened my experience in ways I did not believe was possible. From dancing with strangers in Colmar to choreographing a spectacle for our host families, there was never a dull moment with my fellow experimenters. In finding the perfect balance between scheduled events and free time, The Experiment allowed us to truly discover French culture for ourselves rather than through lectures or assigned reading. This was truly an experience I will never forget.

116 people found this review helpful.
Helpful

Questions & Answers

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Chelsea Johnson

Program
The Experiment: France: Cultural Discovery
Job Title
Group Leader
Thumbnail

Chelsea is a global citizen and international educator who is dedicated to facilitating education abroad experiences for others. Her time living and studying or working in Spain and Latin America have contributed to her passion for language learning and the impact of an immersion experience abroad.

After studying abroad twice in Spain and Chile, Chelsea graduated from Colorado State University in 2013 with a BA in Spanish and a BS in Business Marketing. She has led high school exchange programs for several years in Nicaragua, Ecuador and within the US. Chelsea is enthralled with learning as many Spanish dialects as possible throughout her journeys in Latin America.

A native Coloradoan and mountain lover, she enjoys spending time in nature, creating art, and meeting people from all over the world. She is currently studying towards her MA in International Education at SIT Graduate Institute in Vermont.

What is your favorite travel memory?

Hiking in El Cajas National Park near Cuenca, Ecuador with new friends from different countries!

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

Leading a trip with the Experiment provided a lot of personal and professional growth for me. I really got to know my students and see them change throughout the whole trip, and learned how to best support them through the relationships we developed. I also gained a lot of experience in guiding student learning through the experiential learning cycle.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

Probably Ecuador because I love the country and I’m passionate about the environmental theme!

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

The Experiment is unique because of its experiential pedagogy, homestay experience on every program, and commitment to providing opportunities to students from diverse backgrounds.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

For me, the most important factor in our field is creating a seamless experience of support for all students and cultivating a culture of student empowerment.

Location

Location:
Paris
Currency:
Euro
Weather:
Jan-Mar
54 F / 36 F
Apr-Jun
73 F / 45 F
Jul-Sep
77 F / 54 F
Oct-Dec
61 F / 37 F
Airports:
Paris Charles de Gaulle
( CDG )
Paris Orly
( ORY )

If you talk to anyone that has ben to Paris, they will likely tell you that it felt magical. There is something exceptionally different in Paris; it could be the twinkling of the Eiffel tower every night, the smell of fresh bread wafting through the streets at all hours, the abundance of art, or the sheer beauty of Les Jardins. This city will leave you awe-struck.

About The Experiment in International Living

The Experiment is the most respected provider of international exchanges for high school students. For over 90 years, we have empowered young people to step off the beaten path, experience the world as a classroom, and develop the skills they need to solve the challenges of tomorrow. Gain a deeper understanding of the world as you launch your...

  • Go Overseas Award
  • Go Overseas Award
  • Go Overseas Award
  • Go Overseas Award

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