Program Overview
With its grand boulevards, world-famous monuments, and iconic skyline (think: the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and Sacré Coeur!), it will be difficult to leave this charmingly romantic city. Along with its many historic world-renowned museums, art flourishes in Paris in the form of public gardens, sidewalk cafés, and outdoor markets, fragrant with fresh fruit and pastries.
This program combines rigorous study of the French language with a broad range of classes taught in French by accomplished faculty. You can also experience what life is like for French students by taking one or more courses at a local French university. Tutoring is available if you need help with the transition to higher education in France.
Visit www.IESabroad.org for complete program details.
Why Paris?
You know what it's like to fall in love—but Paris won't break your heart. You'll want to spend all of your time admiring cultural icons like the Eiffel Tower. You'll get lost in the city's exquisite art scene. You'll want to savor the decadent French cuisine at local restaurants. You'll take long walks along the River Seine and wander aimlessly through the city streets for hours. All in the name of love. Je t'aime, Paris!
Student Life
We strive to make sure you feel safe, cared for, and at home while you’re away from home. Whether it’s the orientation program that makes you feel prepared, your housing that is well-located and comfortable, the cultural events that make it easy and fun to meet other international and local students, or the field trips and walking tours that take you to places tourists don’t usually see—we’re all about our student service. Learn more about the day-to-day studying abroad on this program. From field trips to housing, it’s all on IES Abroad’s website.
Scholarships & Aid
IES Abroad firmly believes that financial limitations should not prevent a qualified student from participating in an IES Abroad program. That's why we commit $5 million in study abroad scholarships and aid, all offered through one quick and easy application. Check out all of our scholarship options at www.IESabroad.org/aid.
Aid Application Deadlines:
Summer – April 1
Fall/Academic Year – May 1
Spring/Calendar Year – November 1
The IES Abroad Difference
We can say that our academic standards are completely unmatched, our partnerships with more than 500 global universities and colleges speak to the quality of our programs, and our health and safety practices have set the standards for the entire field of study abroad. And all of that would be true…. But what really sets us apart is our commitment to you. As a not-for-profit study abroad and internship provider, you are our bottom line. Your success is our success. And in today’s world, that’s a pretty extraordinary thing.
- 135+ Award-Winning Study Abroad and Internship Programs
- 33 Global Locations
- Advising & Student Support from predeparture to after you return home
- Strong Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
- $5+ Million in Aid and Scholarships
- Passionate, Mission-Focused Staff and Faculty from our headquarters in Chicago to our Centers around the world
- 70 Years of Experience
About IES Abroad
Founded in 1950, IES Abroad is a not-for-profit academic consortium of more than 260 top-tier American colleges and universities, with more than 240 additional partner universities worldwide. IES Abroad provides premier study abroad and internship programs around the world through IES Abroad, IES Internships, IES Abroad Customized & Faculty-Led Programs, and The Study Abroad Foundation. With more than 400 study abroad programs in 85 locations worldwide, the organization creates authentic global education opportunities for thousands of students annually. IES Abroad has nearly 140,000 alumni who have benefited from studying in IES Abroad programs since its inception. Discover more about what we offer with all of our programs.
More Information:
www.IESabroad.org
Overview
The very best way to learn to understand a language and culture is to live with and learn from native speakers. That's the idea behind the all new Hollins in Paris - French Studies program, hosted by IES Abroad. Students will be given the opportunity to immerse themselves in the French language, living with Parisian families and enrolling alongside French students at one of Paris' world-class universities.
In class, on field trips, and relaxing at home, you'll polish your conversational French and learn to appreciate French culture by immersing yourself in it. Paris is an exciting city that offers an amazing array of resources and events for students of all interests.
"Paris will be your classroom. This program facilitates full immersion in the French language and in French society through a varied and dynamic academic program, excellent homestays, cultural activities, internships, and conversation clubs. In addition, faculty members integrate course-related trips into all courses."
ACADEMICS
Students can choose between a variety of academic options, from area studies courses taught within IES Abroad's French Studies Center to direct-enroll courses at local universities to internships. Students will take 15-19 credits per semester, exploring French Language, history and culture. Each student will also be required to observe the IES Language Pledge, which requires that participants speak only French in the program center and classrooms, to create an immersive environment for language study.
IES Abroad has partnered with several French universities to provide students with the widest range of course topics possible. Students may take courses at the Institut Catholique de Paris (ICP), the Université de Paris-Sorbonne (Paris IV), the Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris and the Paris Marais Dance School. These universities, i
n addition to the courses taught at the French Studies Center, offer a diverse catalog of options, from Art History to French Literature, Political Science, Music, Philosophy, Sociology and more.
INTERNSHIPS
Students with a high French proficiency can participate in internships at a variety of businesses and non-profit organizations for academic credit.
Popular fields include, but are not limited to:
- Art Galleries
- Business & Marketing
- Education
- Non-Governmental Organizations
All internships are taken in conjunction with the credit-bearing seminar, which will help you to contextualize the practical work experience and your immersion in French professional culture.
HOUSING AND MEALS
Hollins students in the Paris French Studies program have several options for housing. We encourage students to live in homestays, to continue the language immersion at home. Hosts are located in Paris or its surrounding banlieues, and placements are made with each student's needs and preferences in mind. However, students also have the choice of staying in an apartment, residence hall, or an international house.
Breakfast is provided daily in the homestay, along with three evening meals per week, which are taken with the host family. Other meals can be purchased at the university cafeterias or in local restaurants with the additional meal stipend provided by Hollins.
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND EXCURSIONS
The Hollins in Paris - French Studies program includes a number of field trips and events, organized by IES Abroad. These are included for no additional cost, and include local excursions within the city and to other locations in France.
Locations include:
Giverny - Visit artist Claude Monet’s home in the beautiful village of Giverny and walk through the spectacular gardens that gave him so much inspiration. Monet’s water lily paintings and many others were painted here.
Reims - Take a tour of the Cathédrale Notre Dame de Reims and visit a Champagne producer to learn how the famous sparkling wine is made, and enjoy a tasting.
Provins - Experience history in this fortified medieval town that hosted trading fairs, markets, and jousting tournaments for centuries in the heart of the Brie region.
In addition to those trips, students can participate in a number of extracurricular activities like the Weekend Conversation club, visits to museums like the Louvre and Musée d'Orsay, guest speaker events, nights at the comédie française and other Parisian theaters, etc! These trips are subject to change- please contact your IES Abroad advisor for more information.
OTHER PROGRAM FEATURES
IES Abroad requires that students take part in an on-the-ground orientation week at the start of each semester. The Comprehensive Orientation & Re-Entry Experience (CORE) begins as soon as students arrive, and covers topics like cultural adjustment, public transportation, and academic expectations. Following orientation, you will engage in a one-week, language-intensive program to prepare you for classes taught in French.
As Hollins students, you're also entitled to a number of additional features, such as a stipend to cover gaps in the meal coverage provided by the homestays, assistance with the cost of local transportation and visa support before you embark.
WHAT'S COVERED BY THE COMPREHENSIVE FEE
- tuition
- accommodations
- meals
- orientation on the Hollins campus and in Paris
- comprehensive health insurance while abroad
- program handbook and other materials
- program-organized, non-optional field trips or excursions
- IES Abroad student card
ADDITIONAL COSTS
- roundtrip airfare
- visa costs
- books and other course-related expenses
- local transportation
- rental or purchase of required cellphone and usage fees
- personal expenses including independent travel
- optional excursions
- costs associated with optional cultural activities (if applicable)
For a more detailed breakdown of costs, please view the budget sheets at the top of this page.
ELIGIBILITY
Minimum requirements are:
- Junior or sophomore status (juniors are given priority)
- Cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher
- At least 4 semesters of college-level French
- One strong faculty recommendation and French language assessment
- No major disciplinary infractions
Applicants are evaluated on their academic and personal maturity, flexibility, and openness to new cultural experiences. Hollins recommends approved candidates to the program, which makes final admissions decisions.
Please note: In addition to the Hollins application, you must also apply directly to IES Abroad for acceptance into this program.
