APA Paris: Immersive Academics, Culture, Community

Embarking on an adventure abroad is always a transformative experience, but my time in Paris with the Academic Programs Abroad (APA) was nothing short of extraordinary. From the unique course offerings to the comprehensive cultural immersions, APA provided an unparalleled journey into the heart of French culture, its beauty, its complexities, and its colonial legacy.

APA's curriculum is thoughtfully designed, offering a rich selection of courses that delve deep into French history, art, politics, and society. Each class was an invitation to explore the nuances of French culture, encouraging not just academic growth but personal introspection. The professors and instructors, experts in their fields, brought subjects to life with passion and depth, making learning both engaging and impactful.

What set APA apart was its commitment to cultural immersion. Through various activities and excursions, I was able to experience France beyond the classroom walls. Visits to historical sites, museums, and cultural landmarks offered a tangible connection to France's past and present. Moreover, APA's focus on the country's colonial legacy provided a critical lens through which to understand its culture and societal dynamics. This aspect of the program was particularly enlightening, offering a comprehensive view of France's impact on the world and the complexities of its multicultural identity.

The journey with APA wasn't just about academic enrichment; it was a holistic experience that catered to personal growth and cultural understanding. Living in Paris, navigating its streets, and engaging with its people allowed me to develop a profound connection to the city and its culture. However, immersion in a foreign culture can sometimes be overwhelming. In those moments, APA was a steadfast support system, a "rock" that helped me navigate the challenges of cultural adaptation. The staff's genuine care and guidance ensured that every student felt supported and valued, making the immersive experience more enriching and less daunting.

Even after the program concluded, APA's support did not wane. Their continued encouragement and resources have been invaluable as I further my journey with the French language and my connection to France. This ongoing support underscores APA's commitment to its students' long-term growth and their connection to French culture.

Reflecting on my time in Paris, it is clear that the experience was transformative. The lessons learned, the connections made, and the cultural insights gained have left an indelible mark on my personal and academic development. My time with APA in Paris is not just a memory to be cherished; it is a foundation upon which I will continue to build my understanding and appreciation of French culture.

In sum, my experience with APA in Paris was much more than an academic program abroad; it was a journey of discovery, learning, and personal growth. The comprehensive approach to cultural immersion, coupled with the unwavering support of the APA team, provided a deep and nuanced understanding of French culture. I will forever cherish my time in Paris with APA, and I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of such a remarkable program.

I can't imagine a better study abroad program than APA. I wasn't even initially planning on studying abroad (I studied hard sciences, and most programs seem geared toward social sciences or humanities). But after taking the leap with APA, I could not be happier. I improved my french enormously, I was able to genuinely integrate into a different culture and country, and I built all of these skills of open-mindedness, resilience, confidence, and others. I was supported at all times, and APA gave me the tools to feel at home in this new city, with constant excursions, shows, and workshops.

The academic options available through APA are also incredible; being able to take courses at any Parisian university ensures that everyone will find what they want (or need), and you feel like a genuine French student rather than a visitor. Claire, Sophie, and Blandine are wonderful people as well as perfect help throughout the program. 3 years later, I now live in Paris, and I thank APA for giving me the base to continue living my dream. I'm so glad I chose APA!

Participating in Academic Programs Abroad - Paris was one of the best decisions I have made during my time as an undergraduate. The team of women behind the program are some of the most capable, supportive, and attentive people I have had the privilege of meeting.
I arrived to Paris relatively advanced in speaking French and left fluent -- all thanks to the program's dedication to giving its participants a fully immersive experience. I had no close ties in the city before arriving and left knowing that I would always have a family to look out for me there (thanks to my fabulous homestay arrangement).
The program's unique mix of program-provided courses and courses provided by local universities (like the Sorbonne!) enabled me to get a feel for what academic life was like in Paris and gave me a nice feeling of independence since we weren't always in our safe little cocoon (as the majority of participants in the program are from US schools). It was such a unique and eye-opening experience!
Overall, I cannot recommend this program enough to responsible students that want to:
1. Ameliorate their French language skills
2. Experience academic culture in Paris
3. Make new memories that will mature them and increase their self-confidence and ability to maneuver independently in the world around them
4. Visit cities and regions outside of Paris (this program includes culturally rich (and, quite frankly, awesome side trips to places outside of Paris).
5. Get out of the cocoon of their home university and experience all that the world has for them!

I am a Political Science and French double major, and I studied abroad with Academic Programs Abroad in Paris for the Fall 2019 semester! I absolutely loved my experience. The staff is wonderfully friendly and supportive, so even when I came upon difficult situations or experienced stress, I never doubted that everything would work out. If you're looking to improve your French skills, this is definitely a program for you. Each of my classes were taught in French and my proficiency improved by leaps and bounds over the course of four months. I also loved getting to know Paris, and Europe as a whole; the cultural program that APA puts together is incredible. With a weekend in Normandy, a day in Chartres, a play at the Comédie française, a cooking lesson, several dance performances, a cheese-tasting, and so much more, I felt culturally fulfilled by the time I left the country. If you would like to participate in a program that provides a truly valuable academic challenge along with a cultural education, I cannot recommend APA Paris enough.

Where do I even begin! Studying abroad with APA was my first time in a country besides the United States, and I absolutely fell in love with Paris (and Europe at large) thanks to the program's support and lineup of cultural events. The small, private nature of the program lends itself to this kind of care. For instance, when we arrived, we were given Navigo passes that allowed us free and unlimited access to the Paris Metro system and beyond. The program was great about its treatment of its students as individuals: I felt a sense of community and structure within the program, but also a great sense of independence to craft my experience and spend my free time in the ways that I desired. Everyone knew one anther, and great, lifelong relationships were formed as a result. Immersion into the Parisian University System was invaluable to my experience, and I left feeling like I could take on the city with ease.

APA was a huge reason that I had such an amazing experience abroad. Their incredible academic support and the cultural events they set up for students throughout the semester, provides students with both language and cultural immersion. Additionally, the option to stay with a homestay family, a dorm, or on your own provides students with flexibility in their living arrangements so that each student can choose what would be best for them. Since the program remained fairly small, only about 20 students, the staff provided us with personalized attention, especially during class registration since the French system can be much different than what we are used to. Overall, they truly cared that each student was having a fulfilling experience. APA is a fantastic program, and I highly suggest it!!

I cannot say enough amazing things about APA. While at first I was hesitant to be thrown into all things French, APA helped push me and support me through every step of the way. I walked away from my semester in Paris with a vast cultural appreciation, near fluent in the language. Taking my business courses in French forced me to acquire a deeper understanding of the material, and between living with a host family, communicating with peers, and taking yoga entirely in French, I advanced tremendously without really realizing it in the moment. I am so grateful for the opportunity to live in a city with something new to see and do daily and with a program to help me grow so much. Not to mention I'm now a pro when it comes to the metro! Such a great experience going solo as I met so many likeminded students through APA who later became my travel buddies.

I highly recommend APA! The academic program offers probably the most flexible and diverse set of options possible, with access to multiple universities, in-house courses, and self-study. The APA staff was incredibly helpful with all aspects of student life, really going above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable with our courses, host family, and general life in Paris. One aspect of the program that I really underestimated before coming here was the cultural program. Getting (essentially) free weekly tickets to shows across Paris was an amazing way to engage with the cultural side of Paris in a way that I wouldn't have thought to do or wouldn't have been willing to spend the money on (don't miss the shows at the CentQuatre!). The program offers a great deal of independence while still fostering a tight-knit community between the students and staff (especially through the group trips). My language skills improved a lot and I overall gained confidence and independence.

My advice to future students is to speak French as much as possible (even when only among Americans) and go out as much as possible! When choosing classes, prioritize scheduling and finding classes that seem manageable/ professors that seem chill. I'm really academically oriented, but go for the 3- (or 4-) day weekend - you'll learn so much from taking classes in French within a new system, so focus the rest of your energy on cultural and social opportunities! Also, just be aware that your host family (or other living arrangement) will almost certainly not be in the center of the city, and that you'll sometimes have long commutes to classes. This is just realistic and part of life in Paris, but it's something I didn't think about before.