Garden Room and Lounge of a host family's home in Paris.

Located in the 14th arrondissement of Paris, the ISA office is a convenient 10-minute metro commute from the Catholic University of Paris and the Latin Quarter. The Eiffel Tower and Champs-Elysées are also easily accessible by metro. This newly renovated office is the location for weekly meetings and houses a classroom/meeting room, resident director offices, a bathroom, entryway, computer/internet terminals and wireless capabilities for those who wish to bring their laptop. During normal office hours (generally Monday-Thursday from 10-1 and 2-7pm; and Fridays from 10-1 and 2-5pm) students may visit to access the free computer/Internet facilities, receive tutoring, utilize academic and other resources, check the ISA bulletin board for upcoming group, community, and cultural events, or simply visit with the ISA staff.

Some ISA students will be attending the Catholic University of Paris, commonly referred to as the “Catho”. The school is located between the Montparnasse quarter--famous for its painters and literary cafés--and the Latin Quarter, two blocks away from the Jardin du Luxembourg in the St. Germain area. The campus of the Catho is composed of two large, beautiful courtyards and surrounding classrooms. Students also have the option of participating at the Sorbonne during the semester or year. The world-renowned Sorbonne is found in the famous Latin Quarter. Students participating in the Fine Arts and French Language summer program will take French classes from a French university and art classes. In the case of the art classes, the city is your classroom! Art courses take place at various sites and in museums throughout Paris, and language courses take place in the classroom, typically at the Sorbonne.

Semester and year students will live with host families. Students participating in a summer session or the intensive month session will have the option of living with a host family or staying in a residence hall. Homestays Families in France have a very close and strongly knit household. Due to this you may find four to six family members living in one home. It is also possible that some families may consist of only 1-2 members. Although homes will vary, (some may be houses but most homes in Paris are apartment-style), all of them will provide a comfortable bed and a good light for studying. Students will typically live about 30-40 minutes by metro from the university. Breakfast in France typically includes coffee or hot chocolate and baguettes with butter and jam. Dinners will vary with each family, as they could be 4 course meals or they could be much simpler. In France, even the simplest meal is prepared and served with care. Table manners are very important to the French, so remember that little courtesies will mean a great deal to your host family and those around you. If you enjoyed a meal, be sure to compliment the cook. Keep an open mind and try new things. You just might be pleasantly surprised. Bon appétit! While staying in a homestay, reasonable hours should be kept. This usually means being home by midnight on school nights. Talk to your hosts about your schedule so that they will know what to expect and will not become unduly concerned. It is best if you socialize with your friends in a café and not at the home where you are staying. Be sure to find out how your hosts feel about you inviting someone in, but in general you should assume that guests are not permitted at the home. Asking how your host family how they feel about something or what their policy is on a certain issue can help to alleviate any potential misunderstandings on either side before they occur.

Foyers (Residence Halls) ISA students who participate in a summer program or the September intensive month program will have the option of living with a host family or in a residence hall (subject to availability). Please note that additional costs may apply for students who choose to live in a foyer. ISA students who stay in foyers will live an average of 30-40 minutes (by metro) from the university. Overall, the dorms in Paris are large, old, charming buildings. Most dorms house about 100 to 150 students. They are quite different from dorms that we are used to in the US in that they are located in the middle of the city rather than in the center of a college campus. In Paris, there will usually be cafés and all kinds of stores in the area, even on the same street as the dorms. Dorms can be co-ed or single-sex. ISA students are expected to respect and comply with the rules of the foyers. Due to the warm summers in Paris, it is recommended that you bring a small fan from home or purchase one once you arrive.