France, Paris
http://www.academicintl.com/city.php?country_id=2&city_id=4&country_image_id=2&city_image_id=23&content_id=133
Apply early. Students are accepted on a first come first serve basis.
API provides beginning to high-level coursework for both the language and the non-language student, in English (in some locations) and the foreign language of the host country. Choose from courses in Liberal and Studio Arts, Humanities, Language, History, Science and more! Northeastern students can choose from the following programs:
Open to beginning, intermediate, advanced and superior level French speakers. Classes are taught in French. Students in the Language and Culture Studies Program select a combination of French language and cultural electives, referred to as French Civilization courses. The number of credits earned for each language course and the cultural electives varies according to the particular session a student selects. Additionally, as indicated below, in some sessions the French Civilization electives are available only to students at the advanced level of French or higher. A student's French level is based on a placement exam administered upon arrival by the Sorbonne.
A special note for Fall quarter: Beginning and intermediate level students are not eligible to earn credits for French Civilization courses. Opportunities exist for advanced level semester and year students to earn additional credit for French Civilization courses. Contact the API office for more information.
Students who wish to refresh their French skills before starting the standard class session may choose to participate in the fall or year early start programs, which include an intensive month of study in September for an additional 50 contact hours (3 semester credits) of French language instruction.
Additional course options: Advanced level students have the option of earning an additional three credits each semester if they choose to complete an elective course taught exclusively for API students (see Course Offerings). A limited number of teaching internships are also available for intermediate to superior level students. An additional fee is charged for participation in the 3-credit internship.
Students at all levels take French language classes. The amount of credits each student receives for the French language classes varies and depends on the student's level placement and session duration.
French language classes are designed to increase students' written and oral comprehension and expression. All French language classes involve Oral French, Written French, Phonetics and also involve components of French Culture and Civilization.
Students in the International Studies Program complete a French language course, along with 2-3 additional elective courses, for a total of 12-15 credits per semester. French language classes are offered at all levels, and all elective courses are taught in English. It is recommended, but not required, that students have completed one semester of college-level French prior to studying in Paris. Students take a placement exam that is administered by the Institut Catholique prior to arrival and are placed into a French course based on the results of this exam.
Beginning and low-intermediate level students take 9 hours of French language per week for a total of 6 semester credits. They also enroll in 2-3 elective courses (worth 3 semester credits each) for a total of 12-15 credits per semester.
High-intermediate and advanced level students take 6-9 hours of French language per week for a total of 4-6 semester credits. They also enroll in 3 elective courses (worth 3 semester credits each) for a total of 13-15 credits for a single semester.
Academic year students at the high-intermediate and advanced levels are encouraged to take 9 hours of French language per week and only 2 electives during the fall semester (for a total of 12 semester credits), in order to have three elective options remaining in the spring.
Paris is well known as one of the most romantic and intriguing cities in the world. While the city maintains its status as the premier modern city in France and a leader in politics, art and fashion, every city street holds some portion of the history of the city. For the history lover, the tour should begin in the heart of old Paris, the Ile de la Cite, which lies in the middle of the Seine River. Here you can explore the Cathedrale de Notre-Dame de Paris, the Palais de Justice and a hidden jewel, Ste-Chapelle. This small chapel with its incredible stained glass is one of the foremost examples of 13th Century French architecture. For the art lover, the city holds hundreds of museums all boasting incredible collections, including the Louvre, the Musee d'Orsay, the Musee Rodin and the Centre de Georges Pompidou. Tucked away in the city's 20 arrondissements, or districts, are many more sights and sounds to discover.
Students in Paris, France can choose to live in a studio apartment, a dormitory or with a host family. After careful screening, API selects local families who will host students for the duration of their study abroad program. The families provide some meals during the week, and students will have access to the family's kitchen to prepare and store food. In the apartments and dormitory, meals are not provided, but students will have access to a kitchen. All students are given a CROUS card charged with a monthly meal stipend equivalent to 5 lunches per week. Students in host families and apartments will use laundromats to do their own laundry; the dormitory has coin-operated laundry facilities in the building. Most students will have a single room and will be the only student with the host family. Most students will commute to and from school via metro and can expect commute times of 30-45 minutes. The dormitory is equipped with wireless internet. Students in apartments and families typically do not have internet access.
Full-time Northeastern student, 2.75 GPA, and middler (third) year or above.
$21,400 per Semester for the 2009/2010 academic year. Includes: tuition, housing, orientation, and round-trip airfare via Boston.
