CCFS’s 12 week French Language & Civilization program offers SAI students a rich immersion experience, based on techniques developed by the school over more than a century of language instruction. Courses include classroom work, as well as work in the phonetics lab to help students improve grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary. In addition to language classes, students are invited to attend between two and eight lectures per week. These lectures, or conférences de civilisation, are taught in French and are designed for students at varying levels of proficiency. Each lecture addresses an important cultural topic and helps students deepen their appreciation of French society.
Application: closed
Application Requirements
Complete online application
Personal statement (300-500 words)
Official transcript
Passport scan (photo page)
Digital photo (passport style)
EU privacy consent form
Highlights
- Join an international cohort of students studying in the center of Paris.
- Enjoy access to world-class language and culture instructors in a small classroom environment.
Program Dates
January 25, 2024 – May 25, 2024
Eligibility Requirements
Age: 18+
Academic Year: Sophomore (2nd year) or above
* contact SAI if you don’t meet requirements
Cumulative GPA:* 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale)
French Language: Students must have completed at least one semester of college-level French before applying for this program.
The course includes 10 hours per week of classroom work (for 12 weeks), plus five hours per week of lab work (for 6 weeks). Total contact hours = 150
The course includes 10 hours per week of classroom work (for 12 weeks), plus five hours per week of lab work (for 6 weeks). Total contact hours = 150
The course includes 10 hours per week of classroom work (for 12 weeks), plus five hours per week of lab work (for 6 weeks). Total contact hours = 150
The course includes 10 hours per week of classroom work (for 12 weeks), plus five hours per week of lab work (for 6 weeks). Total contact hours = 150
The course includes 10 hours per week of classroom work (for 12 weeks), plus five hours per week of lab work (for 6 weeks). Total contact hours = 150
The course includes 10 hours per week of classroom work (for 12 weeks), plus five hours per week of lab work (for 6 weeks). Total contact hours = 150
The course includes 10 hours per week of classroom work (for 12 weeks), plus five hours per week of lab work (for 6 weeks). Total contact hours = 150
Courses & Credits
This program requires students to have completed at least one semester of college-level French (or equivalent) before applying.
Students register for a single French Language class, which consists of 120 hours of classroom instruction (10 hours per week for 12 weeks) and 30 hours of work in the phonetics lab (5 hours per week for six weeks). Based on the number of contact hours, students earn a total of 10 language credits during the term.
Language Placement Test
Upon being admitted to the program, students will complete an online French placement exam. Their level of proficiency will be determined by this exam and they will be placed accordingly (CEFR levels A1 – C1). Once students arrive in Paris, they will also take an assessment of their phonetic skills.
French Civilization Lectures / Conférences de civilization
Students choose from two and eight lecture series per term. Lectures in a particular series meet once per week for 1.5 hours, allowing students to earn one (1) credit for each series successfully completed. Students who wish to earn credit for their attendance at lectures will take a final exam for each at the end of the term. Please note: these lectures are taught in French for students at varying levels of proficiency, from beginner/intermediate through advanced.
| Pre-Departure Calendar | |
|---|---|
| October 1 2023 |
Application Closes Applications accepted after closing as space permits. |
| Within 1 week of acceptance |
SAI Deposits Due $500 Confirmation Deposit (applied toward program fee) $300 Security Deposit (refundable) |
| October 1 2023 |
50% of Total Program Fee Due Students who are accepted and submit SAI deposits after this date will have an amended pay schedule. Either 50% or 100% of Program Fee will be due within 5 business days, based on the deposit payment date. |
| October 15 2023 |
Enrollment Closes Students must complete their enrollment, including paying deposits, by this date. |
| October 15 2023 |
SAI Scholarship Application Deadline Students wishing to apply for a SAI scholarship must have all application items submitted by 11:59pm Pacific Time on this date. |
| November 15 2023 |
SAI Financial Aid Verification Deadline Students wishing to defer payment until financial aid disbursement must submit the financial aid verification forms to SAI by this date. |
| December 1 2023 |
Balance of Total Program Fee Due |
| On-Site Calendar | |
|---|---|
| January 25 2024 |
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 their SAI housing. |
| January 26 2024 |
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. |
| February 5 2024 |
French Language Classes Begin |
| Coming soon |
French Civilization Lectures Begin |
| April 8 – 12 2024 |
Spring Break – no classes |
| Coming soon |
French Civilization Lectures End |
| Coming soon |
French Language Classes End |
| Coming soon |
French Language Exam Period |
| May 25 2024 |
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). |
$12,950 |
| Optional / Additional Fees: | |
| Optional Homestay Meal Supplement Students wishing to add more dinners per week (daily breakfast and 3 dinners/week are included). |
5 dinners – $580 |
| 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
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 | $1,200 |
| Visa |
$350 | $450 |
| Books, Supplies & Course Fees |
$25 / course | $75 / course |
| Meals Includes groceries and eating out. |
$400/ month | $800 / 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 and transportation on arrival day
- Welcome reception and events
- SAI orientation to the host city and school
- SAI staff on-site dedicated to fostering a welcoming community for all students by providing assistance to diverse needs
- SAI Viva Experience: frequent cultural activities & trips outside host city
- Student health insurance providing full coverage and medical emergency evacuation
- 24-hour on-site emergency support
- Farewell event with all students
Pre-departure and Re-entry services
- US-based admissions counselor assigned to you, providing friendly assistance
- Helpful pre-departure tools and resources
- Online student groups to acquaint you with other SAI students
- SAI Student Visa consulting
- Assistance with financial aid processing
- Need-based SAI scholarships
- Paid registration fees for national re-entry conferences
- SAI Ambassador Program for SAI alumni, 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 Musee Quai Branley
Students are welcomed to their new city with a stroll up Rue Cler, one of the 7th Arrondissement’s most charming pedestrian streets. Turning left towards the Eiffel Tower, the group will then take the short walk to the Musee Quai Branley, which houses many of Paris’ treasures of non-Western art.
Montmartre Walking Tour
Students take a guided tour through the Montmartre district and glimpse the nooks and crannies of the most bohemian district of Paris, once home to artists such as Renoir, Picasso, Edith Piaf and others.
Cheese Tasting Workshop
Have you ever wondered what makes French cheese so extraordinary? Students take a two-hour tasting workshop with a cheese expert, during which they will receive an introduction to French cheese types and cheese-making regions. Cheeses will also be paired with a selection of wines for tasting.
Macaron Baking Course
Students get their hands dirty learning how to make macarons – one of France’s most famous cookies. Following the 90-minute course each participant will take home a box of their own macarons.
Tour of the Palais Garnier and a visit to the Galeries Lafayette
Students take a guided tour of the Palais Garnier, home to the Opera of Paris and the setting of Gaston Leroux’s 1909 novel, The Phantom of the Opera. After the tour, we’ll cross Boulevard Haussmann to visit the main building of the Galeries Lafayette, one of Paris’ most iconic high-end department stores. We’ll take in the exquisite stained-glass dome as we ascend through the atrium to the seventh floor, where we’ll enjoy the view from the building’s outdoor terrace.
Farewell Dinner
Students celebrate the end of a successful semester abroad and say their goodbyes over a delicious French meal.
Standard Housing: Family homestay
Standard housing includes a private occupancy bedroom in a family homestay. Students are placed with a local family, which could be an older couple or a family with children. Homestays offer a wonderful opportunity to deepen cultural and language immersion. SAI homestay families are thoroughly screened and are accustomed to welcoming visiting students into their homes. Wifi is included, as is access to laundry facilities. Daily breakfast and 3 dinners per week are included in the cost, with the option to upgrade to 5 or 7 dinners per week.
Passports
Passports should be valid for 3 months after planned departure from France.
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 VFS Visa Processing 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 nine visa centers regardless of their location. VFS Global Centers are located in Washington DC, Boston, New York, Atlanta, Houston, Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco. 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 our students at no cost.