French Language & Culture

Paris, France

Summer '25 Applications Open

Language & Culture

Select a Term...

Dates

Jun 8 - Jul 5, 2025

4 weeks

Costs

$7,650

Application Deadline

January 15, 2025

Request Information

Dates

Jul 6 - Aug 2, 2025

4 weeks

Costs

$7,650

Application Deadline

January 15, 2025

Request Information

Discover the elegance and charm of Parisian life and a language spoken by more than 100 million people.

Dive into the richness of French with four weeks of language immersion in France’s capital. After language classes, engage in French conversations in the bustling, cobblestone streets of the Latin Quarter, at the hilltop neighborhood of Montmartre, and on visits to iconic landmarks like the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower. Catch the sounds of traditional French folk music from street musicians, window-shop outside Bohemian boutiques, and meet Parisian locals, too. The city’s many cafés, bookstores, markets, and parks all become backdrops to an authentic local experience.

Living with a host family, share French meals each day and deepen your understanding of local customs and traditions. On weekends, go on excursions to the village of Sceaux for a private visit of the estate and its picturesque gardens and discover the castles, history, and gastronomy of the Loire Valley. By immersing yourself in French culture and everyday life, you will not only level up your French, but you’ll also get to enjoy the country the way Parisians do.

The Take-Aways

Language Growth and Cultural Competence

Come home with a higher level of French and a greater understanding of French culture. Use your STAMP 4S language proficiency pre- and posttest scores to demonstrate your language growth and help you earn a Seal of Biliteracy.

College Credits

Choose to earn 4 college credits toward your future college degree. Take advantage of the credits to stand out on your college applications or to satisfy college language requirements.

Lifelong Skills and Friendships

Return with greater self-confidence, independence, and adaptability. Enjoy a broader worldview and diverse friendships from across the U.S. 

60

Hours Of Instruction With A Native French Teacher

4

College Credits

1

Life-changing Experience

The Destination

Welcome to Paris—la ville lumiere (city of light), a global center of art, fashion, and culture.

As a symbol of the Age of Enlightenment, Paris holds a special place in Europe. Set in northern central France and founded by Celts in the 3rd Century B.C., la ville lumiere grew from humble origins to be at a crossroads of trade and be a worldwide cultural mecca. Thirty million visitors a year revel in its diversity and delicious cuisine, enjoying melt-in-your-mouth croissants and patisserie fit for Marie Antoinette herself!

The Musee d'Orsay houses the world’s largest collection of impressionist artworks. Come face to face with Venus de Milo and the Mona Lisa in the Louvre, the world’s largest and most visited museum. Pay homage at the first couture fashion house on Rue de la Paix or flex your science muscles at the National Museum of Natural History and the Musée des Arts et Métiers. For the eclectic, there’s the Museum of Magic and the Paris Catacombs, with its maze of underground galleries. At the core of French cultural heritage and offering something for every interest, Paris stands as a captivating city awaiting discovery.

Cultural Awareness

��911wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local ��911staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Paris.

Daily Life

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Each day offers a balance between interactive instruction and cultural activities with time on your own, too. Morning classes and afternoon activities may swap places.

Breakfast at your homestay
Engaging French classes with expert language instructors, all native-speakers
Lunch in the community with your fellow Global Navigators
Out and about for authentic conversations in the community and a cultural activity
Dinner and evening discussions at your homestay

Weekend

Overnight or day excursions to top sites
Quality time with friends and your host family

Check out the blog posts to discover more about daily life and excursions on program.

Housing

Carefully-screened homestay

24/7 Support

1 Program Leader for every 12 students and support from local staff

Weekly Learning Goals

In ��911classes, Level 1 is for students acquiring basic French, Level 2 is for those who can carry on everyday conversations, and Level 3 is for those who can participate in discussions on social and academic topics. In the spring before you depart, you’ll take a language proficiency test and when you arrive on site, you’ll participate in an oral interview. How you do on the test and in the interview will identify the level that is right for you.

Each week, you’ll explore a Theme and create a Project. Each day in class, you’ll learn French through engaging activities and then, in the community, try out your new French in conversations with locals.

Week 1: Settle in and meet your classmates as you explore the Identity Theme. Ask and answer questions, give information, describe your favorite things and your family at home and in France. For your Project, create and present a Personal Profile.

Week 2: Take in the local scene as you explore the Community Theme. Describe places, attractions, and events in Paris. Tell what you want to buy in shops, and express your likes and dislikes in food and fashion. For your Project, create a Photo Gallery of Life in Paris and share it in a conversation.

Week 3: Continue improving your French as you delve into the Discovery Theme and, for your Project, create and present a Travel Flyer for a destination in France. Give and follow directions, give details of a trip itinerary day-by-day, and describe the destination, the weather, and what to do there.

Week 4: Consider the impact of your summer in this week’s Personal Growth Theme. Tell what you experienced in France, make cultural comparisons, and participate in study abroad interviews. For your Project, create a Study Abroad Album and share it in a panel discussion.

Week 1: Settle in and meet your classmates as you explore the Discovery Theme. Ask about and describe family members, discover and describe exciting things to do in Paris, and compare daily routines and customs in France and the USA. For your Project, create and present a Memory Book of Your Life in Paris.

Week 2: Explore French culture during this week’s Creativity Theme. Compare musical performances, express opinions on art, tell what happened in movies, and persuade a classmate to attend a cultural event. For your Project, create a Photo Gallery on French Culture and share it in a conversation.

Week 3: Delve into Paris in this week’s Community Theme. For your Project, create and present a Neighborhood Tour in Paris. Describe the city and what happens there. Role play scenes in a market and restaurant. Report on Paris's past and future.

Week 4: Consider the impact of your summer during the Personal Growth Theme. Tell what happened in memorable moments and how you felt about it. Make cultural comparisons and persuade a friend to study abroad. For your Project, create a Study Abroad Album and share it in a panel discussion.

Week 1: Settle in and meet your classmates during the Cultural Encounters Theme. Tell what happened on a first encounter abroad. Summarize past and current events in Paris. Express your opinions as you compare cultural norms and stereotypes. For your Project, create and present a Field Report on Paris.

Week 2: Explore French culture in this week’s Creativity Theme. Describe street art and profile artists, express opinions on magazines and movies, and compare musical performances. For your Project, create an Arts & Culture Magazine and share it in a conversation.

Week 3: Continue advancing your French as you delve into the Discovery Theme. For your Project, create and present an Awareness Campaign about a global threat. Give information on its causes and effects, explain solutions, and persuade others in debates, justifying your arguments.

Week 4: Consider the impact of your summer in this week’s Personal Growth Theme. Conduct a class survey on experiences in France and make cultural comparisons. Tell an original story about a memorable moment and speculate on what’s next for you. For your Project, create a Study Abroad Album and share it in a panel discussion.

Sample Activities

Just imagine all the fun you’ll have!

Flex your artistic credentials and create your own graffiti murals with a local street artist in the Bercy Skate Park.
Impress your friends with delicious chocolate eclairs as you master the art of making pâte à choux from French pastry chefs.
Challenge your fellow Global Navigators to a game of ��é�ٲ��Ա�ܱ� in the sun-drenched Parisian parks.
Explore the hidden secrets of Paris, walking through the underground labyrinth of bone-filled catacombs.
Channel your inner French aristocrat by strolling through the grounds of the Parc de Sceaux. Picnic in the gardens before hitting the summer soldes (sales) in the outdoor market.

Please note activities are based on past programs and subject to change at CIEE's discretion to adapt to local circumstances and participant feedback. Our goal when arranging activities is always to enhance your experience.

What Students Are Saying

“I had an amazing experience studying abroad in Paris! My French teacher was exceptionally nice and entertaining. I had an outstanding host family who helped me to feel at home. My French improved greatly, and I made a lot of awesome friends!”

Kalia H., Global Navigator Alum
“It’s truly the experience of a lifetime. I have made countless memories that I will never forget. ��911has allowed me to explore Paris in the most authentic way.”

Emma G., Global Navigator Alum
“I got to learn a lot of vocabulary and learn how the locals speak! I’ll always remember the trip to Parc de Sceaux and the cruise on the Seine!”

Cecilia U., Global Navigator Alum
“Navigating Paris with my friends was amazing! It brought a sense of independence. My favorite parts were finding more untouched parts of the city and getting better at navigating the metro.”

Julia S., Global Navigator Alum

From CIEE

Classroom Experience: A Springboard to Proficiency Growth with CIEE

By Elizabeth Mbunya at CIEE

The Language and Culture Program with ��911kicked off its second session on July 30, 2024. The overall goal of the program is for students to develop proficiency in the... keep reading

From CIEE

À Sarcelles with Olympic stars of our own !

By Lindsay Krulock at CIEE

Last week, our students hopped on the RER D train to venture out to Sarcelles, a small town in the northern suburbs of Paris. Our group entered a brightly-lit domed... keep reading

From CIEE

Playing Detective : Escape game in the Marais !

By Lindsay Krulock at CIEE

This past Thursday, our students took it to the bustling streets of the Marais to participate in an interactive escape game, called ClueZ. The Marais, or the “Marsh”, is a... keep reading

Eligibility

Participants must be 14 years old and above.
Program open to all current high school students—Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors—who have completed at least one year of high school French. Students who have completed at least two years of high school French may qualify for the Honors French Language & Culture program in Rennes, France.
For scholarship eligibility requirements, please check our scholarship page.

For more information, refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.

Dates & Fees

Application Fee

$25

Optional College Credit Fee

$150

Learn more about how to get college credit for your future college degree.

Program scholarships and tuition include iNext Travel Insurance, but do not cover the cost of flights. Find additional details about what’s included with your tuition.

More questions? Find answers, get application support, sign up for virtual presentations or contact us!

Program	Application Due	Start Date	End Date	Costs
Program Summer Session I 2025 4 weeks	January 15, 2025	Start Date June 8, 2025	End Date July 5, 2025	Costs $7,650
Program Summer Session II 2025 4 weeks	January 15, 2025	Start Date July 6, 2025	End Date August 2, 2025	Costs $7,650

Ready to change your life?

What’s Included

Interactive Classes

Housing

3 Meals/Day

(Dietary Needs Accommodated)

All Ground Transportation

(Once In-country)

Optional Flight Chaperone

(Flight Cost Not Included)

Pre-departure Advice and Orientation

Access to WIFI

(No international data plan or SIM card included)

All Cultural Activities and Excursions

Comprehensive Medical and Travel Protection

24/7 Emergency On-site Support

Our Staff

Delphine Mauny

Center Director

A born-and-bred Parisian, Delphine has extensive experience in international education, having worked with American high school students, college students, and adults traveling to France.