Program Overview
Program Overview
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Popular Subject Areas
Intensive French Language
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Location
Paris
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Host University
Institut Catholique de Paris
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Term
Summer 3 + 4 2025
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Program Dates
Late May, 2025 - Late Jul, 2025
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Program Length
Summer
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Application Deadline
Mar 25, 2025
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Forms and Payment Deadline
Apr 10, 2025
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Credit
168 Contact Hours
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Eligibility
2.50 Minimum GPA*
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Cost
$10,990
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Study Abroad Program Description
Designed to help you advance your French language skills, this program gives you the opportunity to focus exclusively on elements of French language (such as verbal and written comprehension, expression, phonetics, and more). The program is available to students from all language backgrounds, from the beginning (débutant) to the superior (supérieur) language levels. The intensive month serves well as a precursor to the academic year or semester programs; it may also be completed as an individual program.
Classes are comprised of international students from around the world, providing you with a unique perspective and environment from which to learn. All courses are taught in French by host university faculty at the Institut Catholique de Paris in its Institut de Langue et de Culture Française (ILCF).
Housing between the intensive month and semester sessions is not included in the program price but may be secured at an additional cost. Back to back sessions of this program are available during the summer. You may select both sessions when submitting your online application and will receive a discount from the combined price of the sessions. For more information about this option, please contact your France Program Manager.
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
Internet Access
ISA Discovery Model
Insurance
Professional Development Toolbox
Scholarship Opportunities
Full-Time Resident Staff
On-Site ISA Offices
Academics
Credits
Contact Hours
168
Recommended U.S. Semester Credits
14
Recommended U.S. Quarter Units
20
Academic Information
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, for the duration of 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.
Level Progression
- Students often progress two language levels over the course of a back to back intensive French language program, per the Institut Catholique de Paris language level system. However, language level progression cannot be guaranteed.
Courses
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Student Residence
The student residence is a nice option if you would like to be fairly independent while living in a more student-centered environment. The residence halls are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, and availability is limited. The residence halls are located at Cité Universitaire in the 14th arrondissement. The dorms have shared kitchens, showers, and restrooms on each floor, and laundry facilities are available for an additional cost. You will also have access to the cafeteria located on the dorm campus, where meals can be inexpensively purchased. Rooms may be single or shared, and meals and laundry service are not included.
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.
Excursions
THERE’S MORE TO DISCOVER WITH ISA
ISA excursions allow you to explore the diverse, distinct, and gorgeous landscape of France that you may not get to visit on your own. While abroad, you will have the chance to go on one weekend trip and one day trip, to the following destinations.
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.
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.
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.).