Fall Semester Elective 2026
12 credits
Select a ProgramJoin an international student body on ICP’s historic campus, located in the heart of central Paris. The school champions open-mindedness, dialogue across borders, and academic rigor in a range of subject areas. This program gives visiting students the opportunity to experience the French educational system first-hand and to integrate into classes alongside degree-seeking ICP students. Students select their courses from the Liberal Arts department at ICP, earning up to 12 US credits.
Highlights
- Central Paris campus located in one of the most beautiful neighborhoods of the city.
- A perfect program for students who want to experience France’s educational system.
- Integrate into French student life.
Program Dates
August 27, 2026 – December 20, 2026
Application open until: May 15, 2026
Apps accepted on a rolling basis
Application Requirements
Complete online application
Personal statement (300-500 words)
Official transcript
Passport scan (photo page)
Digital photo (passport style)
EU privacy consent form
Eligibility Requirements
Age: 18+
Academic Year: Sophomore (2nd year) or above
* contact SAI if you don’t meet requirements
Cumulative GPA:* 3.33 (on a 4.0 scale)
English Language:* Non-native English language speakers must submit proof of a minimum B2 level, or proof of attending school in English for 3+ years.
Economics | International Economics
English and American Language and History
History and Political Science
Suggested Course Groups
This course is dedicated to an introduction to early British and American photography and to Pictorialism on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, including female photographers. It goes as far as the 1960s, including fashion photography, photo-reportage etc.
This course provides an introduction to British art and the creation of the British school of painting from Elizabethan miniatures to the creation of the Royal Academy of Arts in 1768.
This course provides an education to British art during the 19th century from 1848 to 1914 with a focus on the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, the Aesthetic movement and the Arts and Crafts in England and Scotland. It also includes an introduction to Gender studies applied to the artistic field with sessions dedicated to female artists in the Pre-Raphaelite and Arts and Crafts movements.
Learning Objectives:
- To promote academic literacy of the principles of international economics and enhance understanding of international activities and trade among countries and entities
- To gain familiarity with economic thinking and to use economic theory and the tools of economic analysis to a range of issues, including the recent financial crisis.
– Analyze market structures and consumer/producer behavior.
– Understand national income, monetary systems, and fiscal/monetary policy.
– Evaluate current economic issues using basic models.
– Develop critical thinking and quantitative reasoning in economics.Course Outline:
– Supply and Demand
– Consumer and Producer Theory
– Monetary Policy
– Global Issues & Review
As a logical progression from the first-year bachelor’s program aiming to familiarize students with the North American continent from the 15th century to the end of the 19th century, this course examines the major political, economic, and social dynamics shaping the United States from the Progressive Era through the first half of the 20th century. We will specifically explore the following themes: the Progressive Era (progressivism and reform movements, including the role of women in the suffrage movement) and the Roaring Twenties, the Great Depression and the New Deal, America’s role in the World Wars and its emergence as a global power, Civil Rights Movement and social and cultural movements, the post-war economic prosperity and the rise of consumer culture, and immigration and American identity.
An in-depth study of some significant moments and events of Britain in the 20th century through the analysis of primary sources. The seminars aim to help students to develop their analytical skills and use knowledge acquired from the lectures. By the end of the semester, you will have a good understanding of the different political ideas and economic approaches that have shaped modern Britain, and of its most influential people, parties and social movements.
Following the theoretical approach of the different political organisations and regimes, the course will elaborate on different examples of contemporary forms of government such as United Kingdom, USA, China, Russia, Iran, India…In order to fully understand the founding principles of the different political organisations and apply the specific methodology of Comparative Politics. The course is entirely in English, in order to allow the students to master the specific vocabulary attached to this field of study.
This Suggested Course Group consists of the following two classes:
Introduction to British Contemporary Art History: Lecture – 24 contact hours for 2.5 credits
British and American Contemporary Art History: Lecture – 24 contact hours for 2.5 credits
Course numbers and descriptions are listed in the catalogue above.
Academic Structure
This program is designed for students who wish to experience French university courses in English. As such, participants should be aware that the academic structure is somewhat different from what students are accustomed to in the United States. Because the number of credits associated with each class is lower than most US university semester courses, students should expect to enroll in more classes per term in order to achieve the minimum required 12 US credits.
To achieve 12 credits per semester, SAI students are required to enroll in a minimum of three 2.5 credit courses, after which they may select the appropriate number of supplemental courses to bring them up to the minimum 12 US credits required. Note that any course taken as part of a SAI Suggested Course Group will count toward the three 2.5 credit course minimum.
SAI Suggested Course Groups are collections of classes offered at ICP which are thematically similar and such groupings can help students compose their schedules along certain academic lines. They can also be used as suggestions for how to efficiently achieve a 12 credit course load.
If you have questions about how credits work at ICP, please contact SAI Admissions.
Classes at ICP are split into two categories: “lectures” and “tutorials.” Lectures generally involve a professor offering prepared remarks to a larger group of students. In addition, lectures tend to last around two hours per session. Tutorials, on the other hand, generally consist of small-group discussions facilitated by a teaching assistant allowing for active engagement with the subject matter. Tutorials are generally shorter, lasting about one hour per session. In some cases, lectures and tutorials are offered in the same subject during the same term and students are welcome to enroll in both concurrently.
Courses & Schedule
ICP courses run Monday – Friday. Students choosing intermediate or advanced level classes must be prepared to prove that they meet the prerequisites by showing their current transcript. Please note that listed course options are not final until days and times are posted; until then, course options should be treated as tentative.
Course Registration
SAI students complete their course registration directly through an ICP student portal. Upon confirming their intention to pursue the SAI program at ICP, students receive login information for their ICP student account directly from the university. SAI’s Paris Admissions Counselor will help guide students through this process. Enrollment in ICP courses are processed on a first-come/ first-served basis and students should complete their course requests as early as possible. After students receive their course registration confirmation, no changes can be made until students arrive on-site. ICP’s drop/add period occurs during the first week of semester classes.
| Pre-Departure Calendar | |
|---|---|
| May 15 2026 |
Application Closes Applications accepted after closing as space permits. |
| Within 1 week of acceptance |
SAI Deposits Due $500 Enrollment Deposit (applied toward program fee) $300 Security Deposit (refundable) |
| May 1 2026 |
50% of Total Program Fee Due Students who are accepted and submit SAI deposits after this date will have an amended pay schedule. 50% of the Program Fee will be due within 5 business days, based on the deposit payment date. |
| May 15 2026 |
Financial Aid Agreement & Financial Aid Program Deposit Deadline Students wishing to utilize SAI financial aid payment deferment must complete the Financial Aid Agreement form and submit the Financial Aid Program Deposit by this date. Students whose deposit payment date is on or after this date will have a deadline of 5 days after the deposit. |
| May 29 2026 |
Enrollment Closes Students must complete their enrollment, including paying deposits, by this date. |
| June 1 2026 |
SAI Scholarship Application Deadline Students wishing to apply for an SAI scholarship must have all application items submitted by 11:59pm Pacific Time on this date. |
| June 15 2026 |
SAI Financial Aid Verification Deadline Students wishing to defer payment until financial aid disbursement must submit the financial aid verification form to SAI by this date. |
| July 1 2026 |
Balance of Total Program Fee Due (For students utilizing SAI financial aid payment deferment, any balance not covered by aid is due) |
| On-Site Calendar | |
|---|---|
| August 27 2026 |
Arrival & Housing Check-in Students arrive at Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airport. SAI airport pickup is provided between 9:00am and 12:00 noon, and students are transferred to SAI housing. |
| August 28 2026 |
SAI Orientation Mandatory SAI orientation is held at the SAI Paris office and introduces students to their city while covering safety, policies, housing, and culture. |
| September 1 – 3 2026 |
ICP Academic Orientation ICP holds a day of orientation activities. In addition to the mandatory orientation, students have the opportunity to tour the campus. |
| September 7 2026 |
ICP Classes Begin |
| December 19 2026 |
ICP Classes End |
| December 19 2026 |
ICP Finals End |
| December 20 2026 |
Program End & Housing Check-out Students must move out of SAI housing by 10:00am to return home or pursue independent travel. |
| SAI Program Fees* | USD |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | $120 |
| Security Deposit Refundable at the end of the term. |
$300 |
| Program Fee Includes tuition, standard housing and SAI 360° Services (see What’s Included). |
$19,450 |
| Optional / Additional Fees: | |
| Optional Private Room Housing Supplement Private room in a shared apartment, with a shared bathroom. |
$2,400 |
| Optional Homestay Housing Supplement Homestay housing in a private room. Includes daily breakfast and 3 or 5 dinners/week |
3 dinners/wk – $150 5 dinners/wk – $650 |
| International Mailing Supplement When applicable, students are charged an international mailing supplement to ensure visa paperwork arrives in a timely manner. |
$90 |
*prices are subject to change
Please see SAI Policies for SAI cancellation & withdrawal deadlines.
Note: certain SAI-affiliated US universities require specific payment arrangements. These may require that some fees are paid by the student directly to SAI, and other fees are paid to SAI by the affiliated university on behalf of the student. If you attend a SAI-affiliated university please contact your study abroad office or speak with your SAI Admissions Counselor for details.
| Budget | Low Est. | High Est. |
|---|---|---|
| Airfare to/from Paris |
$900 | $1,800 |
| Visa |
$350 | $450 |
| Books, Supplies & Course Fees Course fees may be imposed to cover field trips and/or materials. |
$150/ course | $450/ course |
| Meals Includes groceries and eating out. |
$650 / month | $1,000 / month |
| Personal Expenses | $350 / month | $450 / month |
| Transportation within Paris Public transportation with some taxi rides. |
$125 / month | $150 / month |
| Weekend Travel Cost varies greatly by student. |
$300 / month | $1,000 / month |
This is a SAI 360° Services Program; it includes our full services!
- Program tuition and U.S. academic credit
- Accommodation in carefully selected student housing
- Airport pickup on arrival day
- Welcome reception and events
- Orientation to the host city and school
- On-site staff who foster a welcoming community and provide assistance when needed
- SAI Viva Experience: cultural engagement, excursions & wellness activities
- Student health insurance providing full coverage and medical emergency evacuation
- 24-hour on-site emergency support
- Farewell event
Pre-departure and Re-entry services
- Knowledgeable Admissions Counselor dedicated to you, providing friendly assistance
- Helpful pre-departure tools and resources
- Parent & family resources
- Online student groups to acquaint you with other SAI students
- Student visa advising
- Assistance with financial aid processing
- Need-based SAI scholarships
- Alumni Ambassador Program, with paid internship opportunities
- SAI alumni network
SAI offers all students the Viva Experience: frequent cultural activities, at no extra cost, for participants to get to know their community, city and country. Following is a sample of the activities included in this program. Please note that actual activities may differ.
Welcome Activity: Visit to the Montparnasse Tower
After the SAI welcome and safety orientation, the group travels to the famous Montparnasse Tower and to enjoy breathtaking, panoramic views of Paris and her famous monuments.
Fragonard Perfume Museum Guided Tour
Located in the Opéra Garnier quarter of Paris, the Musée du Parfum Fragonard unveils the manufacturing secrets of perfume and its extraordinary history from antiquity to the present day.
Day Trip to the Château de Fontainebleau
Fontainebleau is known to be the only castle that has been the temporary residence for all monarchs from the 12th to 19th century, and is surrounded by forests and lakes. Students visit the castle and its beautiful surroundings, then lunch together at a classic French brasserie.
“Ghosts, Legends, & Mysteries” Evening Tour in Paris
What better time of year to delve into the mysteries of the illustrious City of Lights? Students learn about the darker history of Paris, along with the mysteries and ghost stories that still haunt the streets of the city today. A private guide leads the group through hidden alleys and showcases the darker legends of several famous landmarks and monuments.
Nature Hike in the Fontainebleau Forest
Students escape the city for a fun hike in the forest of Fontainebleau! After a short train ride, students follow a beautiful trail through the old hunting grounds of French kings. This excursion is a great way to get away from the city and get some fresh air!
Ceramics Workshop
Students gather at a local workshop for a fun ceramic class where they create their own ceramic keepsakes.
Farewell Dinner
Students celebrate the end of a successful semester abroad and say their goodbyes over a delicious French meal.
Standard Housing: Student apartment or residence
Standard housing includes a shared occupancy room in a shared student apartment or a student residence (option to upgrade to private bedroom, if available). All SAI housing in Paris is fully furnished and comes equipped with towels, bed linens, and wireless Internet. Students have access to kitchen facilities, comfortable common areas, and washing machines. SAI on-site staff is available to respond to any housing needs that may arise.
Optional Housing: Family homestay (additional fee applies)
Students choosing the homestay option will be placed with a local family, which could be an older couple or a family with children. SAI homestay families are thoroughly screened and are accustomed to welcoming visiting students into their homes. Homestays provide a private bedroom in the family home with basic furnishings. Wifi is included, as is access to laundry facilities. Students opting for this more immersive housing get breakfast included, as well as 3 or 5 dinners per week (cost varies).
Passports
Passports should be valid for at least 3 months after planned departure from Europe.
Student Visas
In accordance with French law, students studying in France for 91 or more days are required to obtain a student visa. Those with French/EU citizenship are exempted. Non-US nationals should consult their local consulate for information on student visa requirements.
Students must appear in person at a TLS Contact Center to present their student visa application. Visa applicants living in the United States are able to set up their appointment at one of the ten visa centers regardless of their location. TLS Contact Centers are located in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington D.C. In some cases the nearest processing center may be in a neighboring state, which might necessitate air travel. Please plan and budget accordingly. Our Student Visa Office is available to assist students in getting ready for their appointment; SAI provides student visa consulting for all students at no cost.