French Language & Liberal Arts

Institut Catholique de Paris
Paris, France
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Program Overview

Program Overview

  • Popular Subject Areas

    French Language & Liberal Arts

  • Location

    Paris

  • Host University

    Institut Catholique de Paris

    Located in the 6th arrondissement, near the famous Latin Quarter and the Jardin du Luxembourg, the Institut Catholique de Paris (la Catho) is an ideal setting for students. ISA students at the Catho will take courses through the university's Institut de Langue et de Culture Française (ICLF), which offers courses in French language, culture, and civilization. While the host university lies in the heart of the bustling city, it consists of multiple buildings enclosed by a relaxed courtyard and gardens. The Catho is fully accredited and recognized by the French Ministry of Education (Ministère de l'éducation nationale).

  • Term

    Academic Year 2 2022

  • Program Dates

    Early Sep, 2022 - Late May, 2023

  • Program Length

    Academic Year

  • Application Deadline

    Jun 01, 2022

  • Forms and Payment Deadline

    Jun 15, 2022

  • Credit

    420 - 504 Contact Hours

  • Eligibility

    2.50 Minimum GPA*

  • Cost

    $29,750

Study Abroad Program Description

Designed to hone your knowledge of French language and culture, this program offers courses to international students in all levels of French, from beginning to advanced.

French language courses are taught in French, while culture and civilization courses (covering topics such as art, literature, communications, gastronomy, fashion, and politics) are taught in either French or English. The higher your language level is, the more opportunity you will have for taking culture and civilization courses (see academic information section for more details). All courses are taught by host university faculty at the Catho's Institut de Langue et de Culture Française (ILCF).

Enjoy Flexibility with ISA Flex

We’ve partnered with Arizona State University (ASU) to help you overcome common study abroad challenges by adding an ASU Online course to your ISA program. With more than 2,100 courses to choose from, ISA Flex minimizes academic challenges, like major requirements and limited course options, so you can make the most of your experience abroad. Once you’ve applied, access the Flex form in your ISA Student Portal for more information on how to add this to your program and enroll in the course you need.

*Eligibility

MINIMUM GPA

Students must have a minimum grade point average of 2.50.

MINIMUM ADMISSIONS PREREQUISITES

There is no language prerequisite for this program.

To participate in this program, you must be 18 years of age or older.

What's Included

Comprehensive Advising and Support

24-Hour Emergency

Comprehensive Health, Safety, and Security Support

Airport Reception

Visa Support

Tuition at the Host University

Housing

Meals and Laundry Service

Bridging Cultures Orientation

Full-Time Resident Staff

On-Site ISA Offices

Internet Access

ISA Discovery Model

Excursions

Cultural Activities

Insurance

Official Transcript from the Host University

Professional Development Toolbox

Scholarship Opportunities

Academics

Support & Funding

U.S. Team

Matt Gulizia

Program Manager, France

PARIS TEAM

Annamaria Antonopoulos

Resident Director, France

Gabriel Antonopoulos

Assistant Director, France

Delphine Lechevalier

Homestay & Student Services Coordinator, France

Housing

Living in ISA housing will give you the opportunity to experience aspects of the French lifestyle that are inaccessible to the average visitor to Paris. Uncovering the uniqueness of your "quartier" (neighborhood) and the surrounding areas will help you to feel right at home. No matter which type of housing you choose, you will commute to class as most Parisians do, via métro. With an open and adaptable mind, the experience of living in another culture can be highly rewarding.

We strive to match your housing preferences with our available accommodations, however, housing preference requests cannot be guaranteed.

Homestay

Host families are best option if you are seeking full linguistic and cultural immersion during your time abroad. Each host family has been carefully selected by ISA's resident staff in order to best accommodate your needs and to ensure a comfortable living situation. Homestays will provide breakfast seven days a week, dinner four days a week (Mon - Thurs), and laundry service once a week. Some homestays will house multiple students while others may house one. Single rooms may be guaranteed for an additional fee.

Apartment

Apartments are a great housing option if you are seeking a great deal of independence during your time abroad. Apartments are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, and availability is limited. Rent and utilities are included in the program price, and each apartment is fully furnished. The apartments are speckled throughout the city of Paris, and they are generally comprised of shared rooms. Meals and laundry service are not included.

You will pay a $500 refundable security deposit if living in this ISA housing option. ISA may retain some, or all, of this deposit in the event of damage to property, or if utility usage exceeds the allotted monthly amount.

Independent Housing

You may elect to secure housing independently. If you select this option, you will receive a discount equal to the housing portion of the program price.

Housing is not included during the winter break and/or the break between the fall and spring semesters for those students completing the full academic year. Housing is also not included between intensive month sessions and the academic semesters. Please contact your ISA Site Specialist if you would like to add ISA housing for an additional cost during these periods.

Excursions

THERE’S MORE TO DISCOVER WITH ISA

ISA excursions allow you to explore the diverse, distinct, and gorgeous landscape of France (and potentially surrounding countries) that you may not be able to visit on your own. While abroad, you will have the chance to go on two weekend trips, one day trip, and one optional excursion to Morocco. The destinations shown below are a sample of some of the possibilities, which are finalized in the time leading up to the start of your program.

Aix-en-Provence

Aix-en-provence (or simply "Aix") is one of the most well known and beloved regions of Southern France. Aix is known for its distinct Romanesque architecture, colorful, buildings, and the beautiful fountains speckled throughout the city. While on this trip, you will go on a guided tour and a visit to the seaside town of Cassis, winding your way through the lovely provincial countryside.

Bordeaux

The first thing that likely comes to mind when you think about Bordeaux is wine, and with good reason. Bordeaux is the world's major wine industry capital and is home to the "Vinexpo", the world's most popular wine fair. Half of this port city is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with over 362 historical monuments. While in Bordeaux, you will take a guided tour of the city, have a wine tasting at one of the local wineries, and visit the famed Great Dune of Pyla.

Bruges

Bruges has been called the "Venice of the North" because of its stunning canals and beautifully preserved buildings. While on this excursion, you will take a guided boat tour through Bruges, highlighting the main sights in the city. You will have plenty of free time to explore many of the city's famed attractions, including the Beguinage, the Basilica of the Holy Blood, and the Bruges belfry.

France Discovery Day Trip

Visit one of the many notable destinations outside of Paris on this day trip. The change of scenery from the bustle of Paris is a great way to gain a different perspective on French culture and history. Visits vary from term to term and have included trips to Giverny, Versailles, Chantilly, Reims, Fontainebleau, or Chartres.

Ghent

Ghent is a wonderful city in Belgium that is known for being "historical without being fossilized". It's a lively student city that still maintains its medieval charm. While visiting the city, you can see St Bavo's Cathedral, the Ghent Belfry, and the many canals that wind their way through the town.

Loire Valley

The Loire Valley is also known as the "the Garden of France" since it is filled with vineyards, fruit orchards, and gardens. You will have the chance to visit a few of the over forty châteaux that are scattered this beautiful countryside, such as Chambord and Chenonceau, while staying overnight in the city of Tours.

Mont St Michel

This spectacular site remains one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of France, second only to Paris. You will perform "La Traversée", the crossing of the Bay between San Malo and Mont-Saint-Michel to get to the Mont Saint Michel Abbey and surrounding areas. From a distance, one can see the "pre-sale" sheep (a gastronomic specialty thanks to their naturally salty meat) grazing on the salt marshes. The Mont St Michel Abbey is connected to the mainland by an improbably thin stretch of land, and you will hear all about its history and significance on a guided tour.

Normandy

While exploring the region of Normandy, you will have the chance to visit the beautiful walled port city of Saint Malo. You will also spend time at the famous D-Day beaches and trek to Le Mont Saint Michel, the gorgeous ancient abbey that is one of France's most recognizable landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Morocco * Optional

This multi-day, optional excursion takes you across Morocco, one of the most colorful and diverse countries in the world. It encompasses direct cultural encounters with locals, guided tours through the medina, and opportunities to learn the ins and outs of haggling with Moroccan vendors. You will have unforgettable experiences in the Sahara desert riding camels and waking up to see the spectacular views of the sunrise.

Cultural Activities in Paris

The ISA on-site team encourages you to explore the city and culture of Paris. The team facilitates this by offering a robust calendar of events that showcases what makes Paris special. These activities vary each term, and previous offerings have included cooking classes, a night at the Opera, a "How to become Parisian in one hour" comedy show, tea at the Grande Mosquee de Paris, and museum visits (Louvre, Orsay, Pompidou, etc.).

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