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CIEE French and Critical Studies in Paris, France

CIEE: Council on International Educational Exchange
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Video and Photos

The Louvre, Paris, France
Eiffel Tower on New Years Eve

About

The promise of beauty, glamour, luxury, and taste—countless artists and scholars have been allured and inspired by Paris. And now it’s your turn.

Study abroad in Paris and you’ll achieve substantial, measurable improvement in your French language skills and as well as a clear understanding of the political, social, and cultural complexity that characterizes contemporary France. A unique two-track program offers quality academic content for both low-intermediate and high-intermediate students, meaning in Paris, there’s a program to fit your particular interests and abilities.

Study abroad in Paris and you will:

- Improve your French and discover Paris and contemporary French society in a program designed for the intermediate student

- Choose from a two-track program with a broad range of quality CIEE content courses in French for the high-intermediate student, and English for the low-intermediate student

Study Abroad Risk Free!

In the unusual event we have to cancel your study abroad or internship program due to a health, safety, or security concern, you’re covered with our Program Assurance Advantage.
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Scholarships

CIEE Scholarships
CIEE Offers More Than $8 Million in Scholarships Every Year!

We know cost is one of the biggest barriers to studying abroad. At CIEE, we dedicate real resources to help break down the cost barriers so every student who wants to study abroad, can do so.

Value
$500 - $2,500
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Questions & Answers

Reviews

8 Rating
based on 2 reviews
Leave a Review
  • 9-10 rating 50%
  • 7-8 rating 50%
  • 5-6 rating 0%
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  • Academics 9.5
  • Support 7.5
  • Fun 8.5
  • Housing 7.5
  • Safety 9.5
Showing 1 - 2 of 2
Default avatar
Sydney
25
Female
7/10
No, I don't recommend this program

Harder than Necessary

Sep 20, 2017

This program was a lot harder academically than advisors made it out to be. It was hard to get help from the staff about problems that occurred with teachers. I was also in a homestay that was not located in the city of Paris. We had many problems with specific teachers and how they graded which was tough to deal with. We also dealt with a lot of administrative tasks that students should not have been dealing with. I learned a lot, but the academic side made it very tough to enjoy the culture side.

What would you improve about this program?
Lower the academic standard as well as the grading scale because it is too harsh for an abroad program.
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Andrew
41
Male
9/10
Yes, I recommend this program

A Life-Changing First Experience in Paris, France

Feb 4, 2016

This a retelling of what's in my fellow CPEC (as it was known then) student's intro chapter to his personal memoir and history of the circus called The Ordinary Acrobat (plug!). Our program director told us we had an event coming up--a circus show. Circus? With elephants? No, no. Nouveau Cirque. We saw Et après on verra bien, loosely translated "And after, you'll really see", incorporating acrobatics, a guy singing Simon and Garfunkel in a French accent, a guy yelling "Ça va!!!" et us responding and a guy falling with a chair on a trampoline, saying in French, "the more you guy up, the more you'll come down." It inspired me to continue nurturing my passion for the arts in French and my friend to write a book and have a career in circus and all of us to want to learn French better.

What would you improve about this program?
More communication with staff throughout semester related to workload and health issues.
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Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Andrew Palmacci

Program
CIEE French and Critical Studies in Paris, France

Give us a little intro

I studied English at Boston College and graduated in 2002. I was born in Brookline, Massachusetts (hometown of Conan O'Brien) and grew up in New York City. My go-to dance move is a mimed record-scratching DJ with headphones.

Why did you pick this program?

I picked this program because it was in Paris, offered an in-French option, which I took, and was geared to the high-intermediate student. I liked that they had an intensive language session before the actual program started, so you could get your bearings and improve your language skills once there and in advance of proper classes.

What do you tell your friends who are thinking about going abroad?

I tell them to take as many target-language courses as possible and familiarize yourself as much as you can with the culture. The more prepared you are for diving into the immersion of in-country studies, the better. Listen to music, find someone at your university to talk to and watch movies.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

I'd advise that person to apply for housing with a family or professional. It's much more social, you'll have a built-in native friend(s) and maybe you'll make a lifelong contact.

What's your favorite story to tell about your time abroad?

My favorite story is shooting film and taking photos under the Eiffel Tower with my friend Kevin as a memento and way of sending me off at the end of the first semester when him and our group of friends (L'équipe=The team) were staying on for the year. He made me write down something I wanted to let go of and we burned the paper. We put the ashes in a film canister and walked the Eiffel Tower to the second level. Me, Kevin and our other accompanying friend Mason's first time up the landmark tower. We then scattered the ashes over the railing.

Is it worth it taking classes at your study abroad country's actual university if you're in an enclosed study abroad center with its own classes?

Yes! I was in a program with a center and its own classes, but I benefited greatly from taking a literature class (good for credit in my major) at University of Paris-III. It was tough, but I was in an environment with "real" French students. I also, through attending a branch of the University of Paris, had the chance to audition and was accepted into the Choir of the University of Paris, where I served as Tenor for the semester I was there.

About CIEE

A nonprofit, non-governmental organization, CIEE is the world leader in international study and exchange programs. For more than 75 years, CIEE has helped thousands of students, professionals, and educators gain the knowledge and skills necessary to live and work in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world by offering the most...

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