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

    Fall 2 2024

  • Program Dates

    Sep 04, 2024 - Dec 21, 2024

  • Program Length

    Semester

  • Application Deadline

    May 01, 2024

  • Forms and Payment Deadline

    May 15, 2024

  • Credit

    168 - 252 Contact Hours

  • Eligibility

    2.50 Minimum GPA*

  • Cost

    $16,650

  • This session is closed and is no longer accepting applications.

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

Credits

Contact Hours

168 - 252

Recommended U.S. Semester Credits

12 - 18

Recommended U.S. Quarter Units

16 - 25

Academic Information

Course Availability and Scheduling

  • The course list below indicates the proposed courses for the upcoming term. The host university has not yet confirmed the current course list at this time. This site will be updated once ISA receives the updated list of courses, along with a notification of the change to currently accepted students.
  • Culture & Civilization courses are typically in the afternoon, and French language courses are in the morning. You will very likely need to take a French language course to fill your schedule and to avoid course scheduling conflicts.

Course Selection and Language Requirement

  • Most students will take one French language course which counts as the majority of their total credits/hours. You may then fill the remainder of your schedule with culture courses in French or English, described in more detail. The below structure is subject to change based on enrollments and course offerings at the Catho each semester.
    • All French Language courses will be 126 contact hours and 9 credits. The language courses will run Monday-Friday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
    • If you place into the Beginning French courses (A1-A2), you will be required to take a French language course. You are strongly encouraged to take Written and Oral French as your electives. 
    • If you place into B2.2 or C1 French, your class will consist of students in either level.
  • Courses and course hours of instruction are subject to change.
  • Eligibility for courses may be subject to a placement exam and/or prerequisites.

Course Credit

  • Credits earned vary according to the policies of your home institution. According to ISA policy and possible visa requirements, you must maintain full-time enrollment status, as determined by your home institution while on the program.
  • The contact hour at the Institut Catholique de Paris is 60 minutes. The ISA Cover Letter that will accompany your transcript upon completion of your program will reflect the adjusted U.S. 50-minute contact hour. Please discuss credit transfer with your home university prior to departure.

Transcripts

  • The transcript from the Institut Catholique de Paris will reflect contact hours for each course listed below.  Please be in touch with your U.S. University regarding credit transfer for this program.

Language Placement

  • Enrollment in French courses is determined by the results of a language placement exam administered by the Institut Catholique de Paris. Please note that your performance on the placement exam may not reflect the number of semesters of language instruction you've already completed at your home university. We strongly suggest that students who are trying to place into any level of language beyond true beginning prepare for the language placement exam by reviewing previous coursework.

Courses

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Institut Catholique de Paris
Misc. School
Courses in English
French Language (taught in French)
126 Contact Hours
126 Contact Hours
126 Contact Hours
126 Contact Hours
126 Contact Hours
126 Contact Hours
126 Contact Hours
126 Contact Hours
Course Disclaimer
  • Courses and course hours of instruction are subject to change.

Support & Funding

ISA is here to support you when it comes to navigating identity questions related to traveling abroad, providing resources and information for your accessibility needs, and identifying funding for your program abroad.

SUPPORT TEAM

Our U.S. staff is available to support you though every stage of your study abroad journey. Please reach out with any questions about ISA programs or life on-site to your country-specific Program Manager.

Our on-site staff are there for you as soon as you arrive in country and will support you throughout your time abroad.

U.S. Team

Kiri Johnson

Program Manager, France

PARIS TEAM

Annamaria Antonopoulos

Resident Director, France

Gabriel Antonopoulos

Assistant Director, France

Delphine Lechevalier

Homestay & Student Services Coordinator, France

Sylvanie De la Victoire

Student Services Coordinator, France

Identity Resources

Accessibility & Accommodations

With our wide portfolio of program types and locations, we’re confident there is a suitable, accessible program for each student.

Securing accommodations abroad can take time, so we ask that those with requests inform ISA early in the advising process. We recommend reaching out to your Program Manager or our Accessibility Team (accessibilityteam@worldstrides.com) to discuss your accessibility needs or accommodations abroad.

Destination Information

Our diversity pages for each ISA destination include information on Indigenous communities, languages, race and ethnicity, religion, LGBTQIA+, and disability access. We hope it will help when reflecting upon and contextualizing intersectionality in your host community.

Identity Blog

ISA offers students the opportunity to blog about their experiences abroad from their own diverse perspectives. These posts can be found on the ISA Student Blog, and interested students should email diversity@studiesabroad.com for more information.

Funding

All students should have the opportunity to study abroad. To help make this a reality, ISA offers a variety of scholarships to help cover your study abroad costs. To learn more about our scholarship opportunities, check out our scholarships & grants page!

If you receive financial aid from your home university, you can likely use those funds for study abroad, as well. Speak with your home university’s financial aid office to learn about your options. Check out steps for using financial aid.

Questions about scholarships and funding? Email us at higheredfinaid@worldstrides.org

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. They will be located throughout Paris and the surrounding areas. 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. There is an extra cost for the apartment housing type; please contact your ISA Paris Program Manager for more information. 

The apartments are furnished and may be individual or shared rooms. Meals and laundry service are not included. Spots are limited, first come/first served, and placement is not guaranteed. Apartment types/set-up are subject to change based on availability of housing providers in Paris.

You will pay a $300 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.

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 one overnight trip, two day trips, 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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