Gap French Language and Liberal Arts at Institut Catholique de Paris

France Paris Arc De Triomphe Champs Elysees 124132723
What's Included

We invite you to study abroad with API in France at the Institut Catholique de Paris! This program offers French language instruction at all levels, in addition to an array of liberal arts and French culture courses conducted in English and French. This program also offers the opportunity to complete an optional teaching internship in a local school.

Earn valuable academic credit toward your degree, advance your French language skills, experience life in the majestic "City of Light," and explore all this beautiful country has to offer!

What's Included?

Highlights

Pre Departure Services

Advising

APIConnect Platform

Orientation Materials and Resources

Access to International Phone Plans

API Alumni Network

Social Networking

Scholarships

On Site Services

Airport Reception

API Center

On-Site Orientation

Excursions

Resident Director

Tuition

Medical and Life Insurance

Social and Cultural Activities

Welcome and Farewell Group Meals

Volunteer Opportunities

Monthly Transit Pass

Tutoring

Housing (including meals and laundry with some options)

Language and Culture Tools

Re-Entry Services

Re-Entry Materials and Support

Post-Program Evaluation

Transcript

Alumni Network and API Ambassador Program

Reflection Sessions
View all opportunities and amenities

Application Requirements

  • Minimum 2.5 G.P.A.
  • Open to all levels of French speakers
  • Completed API application
  • Official transcript, most recent grade report, or high school diploma
  • Entry requirements: valid passport with student visa
Dates & Fees
Session Program Dates Program Cost Application Deadline Extended Application Deadline Payment Deadline
Fall Aug 29, 2023 - Dec 16, 2023 $17,900 May 29, 2023 No Extension Jun 28, 2023
Academic Year Aug, 2023 - May, 2024 $34,900 May 29, 2023 No Extension Jun 28, 2023
Spring Early Start Jan, 2024 - May, 2024 $20,900 Oct 5, 2023 No Extension Nov 4, 2023
Spring Jan, 2024 - May, 2024 $17,900 Nov 1, 2023 No Extension Dec 1, 2023
Excursions

API students participate in excursions designed to help familiarize them with the culture and surrounding areas of their host city and country. The following is a listing of potential excursions for API Paris programs. API may need to modify the excursions offered in a given term due to travel restrictions or health and safety concerns.

  • Loire Valley

    Visiting the Loire Valley palaces is like visiting 16th century Renaissance France when fortified medieval fortresses were transformed into delicate castles inspired by Italian architecture. Such is the case of le Château d’Amboise where Leonardo da Vinci was buried.

    The Château de Chenonceau is an exceptional site not only because of its original design, the richness of its collections, its furniture and its decorations, but also because of its destiny, since it was loved, administrated and protected by women.

    Depending on the program, the students may also enjoy a traditional boat ride on the Loire river or he splendor of Chambord’s castle and its exceptional architectural creation that draws its inspiration from the French tradition as much as from the new ideas of the Italian Renaissance.

  • Normandie

    Students will travel to Mount Saint Michel, one the most visited sites in France, and walk in the quicksand of the bay. The group will then explore Saint Malo city, a haunt of pirates for hundreds of years, the “Cité Corsaire” that has always done things its own way. The old town is still surrounded by granite walls, while the tidal islands next to the city continue to be fortified by 17th century bastions.

  • Alsace / Allemagne

    The Alsace region is located in the Rhine plaine in the north eastern part of France. It is bordered by Germany and Switzerland. Over the centuries Alsace has been back and of forth under the control of France and Germany; a rich bicultural heritage is therefore strongly anchored in this welcoming region. The architecture of the villages and the cities, the gardening works, the religious plurality and the daily use of language dialect make you feel like being in a different country when you are definitely in France!

    Gastronomy is not a legend in this area! You will be puzzled by the variety of local culinary traditions : baeckeoffe, sauerkraut, flammekueche, kugelhopf, bretzel, bredele, just to mention a few of them. They are a real pleasure for the palate!

    A stop on the other side of the Rhine will be a nice opportunity to discover a part of the Schwarzwald region in Germany giving this three days excursion an international dimension.

  • Lyon

    France’s second largest city, Lyon is located on the Rhone and Soâne Rivers with many sites to see, including the Gallo-Roman Museum, two excavated Roman theaters, and the 19th century Basilique Notre-Dame de Fouvière. In Lyon, visitors can take a unique journey through time and across cultures through traipsing down its narrow streets, crossing its “traboules“ (narrow secret passages). Lyon's Parc de la Tête d’Or showcases botanical gardens, a small zoo, lakes for sailing, running trails, and many areas for relaxing.

  • Normandy - Honfleur & Etretat

    Honfleur is so utterly enchanting, it's hard to remember that it was built essentially for commerce. Its harbor sits in a great location, tucked away on the southern side of the Seine’s estuary. During the Hundred Years War, the French king had this strategic spot fortified, but that didn’t stop the English from taking over for several decades.

    The little town of Etretat is located in the Pays de Caux, on a section of the coast of Normandy called “La Côte d’Albâtre”, and is renowned for its impressive white cliffs, featuring arches, a large rock needle-like structure and tunnels (which Impressionists painted so memorably).

  • Toulouse

    Welcome to Toulouse, capital of Occitania! Toulouse is a city of colors, with its pink brick facades, its emblematic flower, the violet, the blue of the pastel... Located in the heart of the South-West, between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, the "Pink City" joyfully combines heritage and the art of living. Yesterday, capital of the Visigoths, today aeronautical and space capital, Toulouse invites you to discover its two thousand years of history and has many surprises in store for you!

  • Loire Valley

    Visiting the Loire Valley palaces is like visiting 16th century Renaissance France when fortified medieval fortresses were transformed into delicate castles inspired by Italian architecture. Such is the case of le Château d’Amboise where Leonardo da Vinci was buried.

    The Château de Chenonceau is an exceptional site not only because of its original design, the richness of its collections, its furniture and its decorations, but also because of its destiny, since it was loved, administrated and protected by women.

    Depending on the program, the students may also enjoy a traditional boat ride on the Loire river or he splendor of Chambord’s castle and its exceptional architectural creation that draws its inspiration from the French tradition as much as from the new ideas of the Italian Renaissance.

  • Normandie

    Students will travel to Mount Saint Michel, one the most visited sites in France, and walk in the quicksand of the bay. The group will then explore Saint Malo city, a haunt of pirates for hundreds of years, the “Cité Corsaire” that has always done things its own way. The old town is still surrounded by granite walls, while the tidal islands next to the city continue to be fortified by 17th century bastions.

  • Alsace / Allemagne

    The Alsace region is located in the Rhine plaine in the north eastern part of France. It is bordered by Germany and Switzerland. Over the centuries Alsace has been back and of forth under the control of France and Germany; a rich bicultural heritage is therefore strongly anchored in this welcoming region. The architecture of the villages and the cities, the gardening works, the religious plurality and the daily use of language dialect make you feel like being in a different country when you are definitely in France!

    Gastronomy is not a legend in this area! You will be puzzled by the variety of local culinary traditions : baeckeoffe, sauerkraut, flammekueche, kugelhopf, bretzel, bredele, just to mention a few of them. They are a real pleasure for the palate!

    A stop on the other side of the Rhine will be a nice opportunity to discover a part of the Schwarzwald region in Germany giving this three days excursion an international dimension.

  • Lyon

    France’s second largest city, Lyon is located on the Rhone and Soâne Rivers with many sites to see, including the Gallo-Roman Museum, two excavated Roman theaters, and the 19th century Basilique Notre-Dame de Fouvière. In Lyon, visitors can take a unique journey through time and across cultures through traipsing down its narrow streets, crossing its “traboules“ (narrow secret passages). Lyon's Parc de la Tête d’Or showcases botanical gardens, a small zoo, lakes for sailing, running trails, and many areas for relaxing.

  • Normandy - Honfleur & Etretat

    Honfleur is so utterly enchanting, it's hard to remember that it was built essentially for commerce. Its harbor sits in a great location, tucked away on the southern side of the Seine’s estuary. During the Hundred Years War, the French king had this strategic spot fortified, but that didn’t stop the English from taking over for several decades.

    The little town of Etretat is located in the Pays de Caux, on a section of the coast of Normandy called “La Côte d’Albâtre”, and is renowned for its impressive white cliffs, featuring arches, a large rock needle-like structure and tunnels (which Impressionists painted so memorably).

  • Toulouse

    Welcome to Toulouse, capital of Occitania! Toulouse is a city of colors, with its pink brick facades, its emblematic flower, the violet, the blue of the pastel... Located in the heart of the South-West, between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, the "Pink City" joyfully combines heritage and the art of living. Yesterday, capital of the Visigoths, today aeronautical and space capital, Toulouse invites you to discover its two thousand years of history and has many surprises in store for you!

  • Lyon

    France’s second largest city, Lyon is located on the Rhone and Soâne Rivers with many sites to see, including the Gallo-Roman Museum, two excavated Roman theaters, and the 19th century Basilique Notre-Dame de Fouvière. In Lyon, visitors can take a unique journey through time and across cultures through traipsing down its narrow streets, crossing its “traboules“ (narrow secret passages). Lyon's Parc de la Tête d’Or showcases botanical gardens, a small zoo, lakes for sailing, running trails, and many areas for relaxing.

  • Normandy - Honfleur & Etretat

    Honfleur is so utterly enchanting, it's hard to remember that it was built essentially for commerce. Its harbor sits in a great location, tucked away on the southern side of the Seine’s estuary. During the Hundred Years War, the French king had this strategic spot fortified, but that didn’t stop the English from taking over for several decades.

    The little town of Etretat is located in the Pays de Caux, on a section of the coast of Normandy called “La Côte d’Albâtre”, and is renowned for its impressive white cliffs, featuring arches, a large rock needle-like structure and tunnels (which Impressionists painted so memorably).

  • Toulouse

    Welcome to Toulouse, capital of Occitania! Toulouse is a city of colors, with its pink brick facades, its emblematic flower, the violet, the blue of the pastel... Located in the heart of the South-West, between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, the "Pink City" joyfully combines heritage and the art of living. Yesterday, capital of the Visigoths, today aeronautical and space capital, Toulouse invites you to discover its two thousand years of history and has many surprises in store for you!

Program Details

What You’ll Study

TOTAL CREDITS - 12-15 credits per semester

The French Language and Liberal Arts program at the Institut Catholique de Paris (ICP) is open to students at all language levels and is a great opportunity to continue to develop French language skills in Paris. The ICP follows the European framework for their language levels, dividing students into the following: A1-1, A1-2, A2-1, A2-2, B1-1, B1-2, B2-1, and B2-2. A student’s French level is based on an online placement exam administered before arrival by the ICP. All students will take up to 15 U.S. semester credits during the semester.

BEGINNING LEVEL OPTIONS (A1-1, A1-2, A2-1, A2-2)

Students at the beginning language levels are required to take 15 contact hours of French language per week. Students take one comprehensive course that focuses on reading, writing, and speaking skills and will spend approximately 3 hours in the classroom each day. Students at a beginner level are required to do this program.

Students at the beginning levels have the option of earning an additional 3 credits each semester with an English or French elective offered through the ICP

INTERMEDIATE AND ABOVE LEVEL OPTIONS (B1-1 AND ABOVE)

Students at all other language levels typically take 6-15 contact hours of French language and culture courses per week. Depending on how many contact hours of French language and culture a student takes, they may be able to take 1 or 2 cultural electives (offered in English).

Students at the high-intermediate language level (B1-1) and above also have the option of earning an additional three credits each semester if they complete an elective course from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, at the API office. Students generally take this course in place of one of the cultural courses at the ICP. Course subject to minimum enrollment.

TRANSCRIPTS

Students receive a transcript from the Institut Catholique de Paris upon completion of their program. If a student enrolls in the API-led course or the teaching internship, they will receive a transcript from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

  • Caroline headshot

    Caroline Mobley

    Caroline Mobley will be your Program Coordinator and will help prepare you for your API program.

    (she / her / hers)

  • Francine Bost Millischer

    Francine Bost-Millischer

    Francine Bost-Millischer will be one of your Resident Directors in Paris and a resource for you on-site.
    (she/her/hers)

  • Screen Shot 2022 10 04 at 10 05 41 AM

    Cyprien Maillard

    Cyprien will be your Student Life Coordinator in Paris and a resource for you while you are in France!

    (he/him/his)

  • Screen Shot 2022 10 04 at 10 06 40 AM

    Laure Cochin

    Laure will be your Academic Coordinator in Paris and a resource for you while you are in France!

    (she/her/hers)

Courses
Click Here to Find Classes

COURSE OFFERINGS

Students at all levels will take from 6-15 hours of French language and/or culture coursework per week. They may then complete 1-3 elective course options offered in English or French depending on a student's language proficiency. Intermediate and advanced-level students may choose to participate in a teaching internship or API-taught coursework.

CREDIT INFORMATION

Most API partner universities in France operate on the contact hour system, wherein the number of credits earned depends on the time spent in class. To determine the conversion of contact hours to U.S. semester credits, divide the contact hours available by 15.

OPTIONAL ELECTIVE COURSES

Students have the option to take additional elective courses in Paris. Some electives are taught in English while others are taught in French. French elective options require an intermediate to advanced language proficiency level. Students generally take this course in place of one of the cultural courses at the ICP. These elective courses incur an additional fee and are subject to change.

SPRING INTENSIVE OPTION

Students in this program take 21 contact hours of French language per week, over 3 weeks, earning an average of 4 credits. Students can either do the Jan Term in Paris before starting their Spring semester at their home university or add the intensive month to their Spring semester in Paris as an Early Start program. This option is open to all levels of French speakers.

TEACHING INTERNSHIP

All students with 4 semesters of college-level French (equivalent to the intermediate level) or more are able to participate in the teaching internship for an additional 3 credits. Beginning and intermediate-level students can also complete the internship, but are not eligible to earn credit or a grade for the experience. Spaces are limited and are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. An additional fee is charged for the internship. Students teach English in a French school. This is a unique experience for API students in Paris to get to know Parisians and Parisian life from the inside, not only through the teenagers in the classes students teach, but also from the teachers that students assist. The regular professor asks the student what is to be taught and helps students prepare for class. In order to get the 3 credits, students are required to teach English about three hours a week, to keep a journal where all course plans and weekly evaluations are registered to present it in French at the end of the semester and to write a final internship paper (in French) analyzing the French teaching system and their perception of French society through their own teaching experience.

Courses at Institut Catholique de Paris (Semester French Language & Liberal Arts)

For the most up-to-date course availability on this program, explore our Class Finder. Sort courses by term, area of study, and more!

Click here to find courses, syllabi, and more!

Courses at Institut Catholique de Paris (Semester French Language & Liberal Arts)

For the most up-to-date course availability on this program, explore our Class Finder. Sort courses by term, area of study, and more!

Click here to find courses, syllabi, and more!

Courses at Institut Catholique de Paris (Semester French Language & Liberal Arts)

For the most up-to-date course availability on this program, explore our Class Finder. Sort courses by term, area of study, and more!

Click here to find courses, syllabi, and more!

Courses at Institut Catholique de Paris (Semester French Language & Liberal Arts)

For the most up-to-date course availability on this program, explore our Class Finder. Sort courses by term, area of study, and more!

Click here to find courses, syllabi, and more!

Highlights
  • Classes taught in French and English
  • Transcript from U.S. accredited institution available (University of Massachusetts, Amherst)
  • Teaching internships available (for credit)
Housing

API students studying abroad in Paris have three different housing options – students may choose to live with a host family, in a shared apartment, or in a student residence. Participants who will be under age 18 for any portion of their session abroad are required to live in supervised housing with a host family and must adhere to a curfew set by API while still a minor.

Students who choose to live with families are provided with five breakfast meals and two dinner meals per week with the family, along with a grocery stipend card to offset the cost of meals. Host families serve as a unique introduction into French culture and may be made up of a married couple with children, retirement-age couples, or a divorced or widowed woman with or without children. Most families live in apartments with 2-4 bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen, and a living/dining area. In some cases, there may be another API or international student in the same apartment. While most family placements offer a single room, some students share a double room.

Students also have the option of living in shared apartments that are located throughout Paris. Most are designed to house 4 students in double-occupancy bedrooms, though some may be larger. Meals are not provided, however, apartments are equipped with kitchen appliances, and students receive a grocery stipend card to offset the cost of meals.

Students in the dorm generally live in single rooms. Some rooms may be equipped with a sink, though students share bathroom and kitchen facilities. Most of the other students in the dorm are American. Students who select the dorm option are responsible for their own meals, though they will receive a grocery stipend card to offset the cost of meals.