PCA’s 4 week summer program offers students an intensive environment to deepen their understanding and sharpen their skills in art and design. Courses expose students to Paris in a unique way, by combining classroom time with excursions to various sites around the city. Students enroll in two back-to-back 2 week classes, one from “Session A” and one from “Session B,” for a total of 6 credits.
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
- Select from a range of courses in Fine Arts, Design, and Liberal Arts.
- Popular courses include: “Paris Through its Museums” and “Photography in Paris.”
Program Dates
June 13, 2024 – July 13, 2024
Eligibility Requirements
Age: 18+
Academic Year: Sophomore (2nd year) or above
Cumulative GPA:* 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale)
* contact SAI if you don’t meet requirements
Fine Arts
Interior Design
Liberal Studies
Photography
With visits to the Musee des Arts Decoratifs and its jewelry galleries, we will meet influencers of the Parisian and French jewelry world. We will also visit the famous Place Vendome, home to many iconic jewelry houses, such as Van Cleef and Arpels, Cartier and more.
What you will learn: You will explore interior design within the immense art and design scene of Paris. You will explore the fundamentals of interior design through a hands-on approach including drawing, model making, âÃÂÃÂlook and feelâÃÂàcollages, mood board making and more.
Where you will visit: Through a series of playful exercises, often starting with iconic visits to important design icons and exemplary destinations in Paris, you will discover interior design and Paris together. Whether you are considering more advanced studies in interior design but beforehand or you would like to experience a just a taste of it, studying this course in Paris is the answer.
Drawing from life, movement, perspective, architecture, land art, collage, writing as exploration, and several other two-and three-dimensional techniques, you will learn and develop skills to open creative sensibility and inspirational valves. Using the world around you to create, not just physically but through translating observation and being inspired, fluidity and self-respect in creative terms will also unfold.
Exploring life outside the studio, you will visit Bois de Vincennes as well as galleries in la Marais, Palais de Tokyo, Jardin des Plantes, Parc de Sceaux and the abandoned railroad, La Petite Ceinture, Pere La Chaise Cemetary, La Foret Meudon. You will explore varying arrondissements, forests, and nearby suburbs with a minimum amount of supplies on our backs (ie., paper, tape, cutter, colors, ink, graphite). The world is our studio.
Courses & Schedule
SAI students are free to enroll in any available course, but prerequisites must be demonstrated through students’ transcripts. Students choose two back-to-back 2 week courses (one from session A and one from session B). Courses are intensive and meet 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday – Friday.
Course Registration
Students choose their courses after they have been accepted into the program. As soon as the PCA schedule is confirmed, students are asked to complete a Course Approval form, which is used to specify first-choice and alternate-choice courses. All posted schedules of classes are tentative and subject to change unless otherwise noted. SAI’s Paris Admissions Counselor will guide students through this process.
| Pre-Departure Calendar | |
|---|---|
| March 16 2024 |
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) |
| March 15 2024 |
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. |
| March 15 2024 |
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. |
| March 30 2024 |
Enrollment Closes Students must complete their enrollment, including paying deposits, by this date. |
| March 30 2024 |
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. |
| April 14 2024 |
Balance of Total Program Fee Due |
| On-Site Calendar | |
|---|---|
| June 13 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 SAI housing. |
| June 14 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. |
| June 17 2024 |
PCA Academic Orientation & Session A Classes Begin PCA orientation covers academic policies, and provides opportunities for students to meet one another. Following orientation, session A classes begin. |
| June 28 2024 |
Session A Classes End |
| July 1 2024 |
Session B Classes Begin |
| July 12 2024 |
Session B Classes End |
| July 13 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). |
$9,150 |
| Optional / Additional Fees: | |
| Optional Private Room Supplement Private room in a shared apartment, with a shared bathroom. |
$550 |
| Optional Homestay Housing Supplement Homestay housing in a private room. Includes daily breakfast and 3 or 5 dinners/week. |
3 dinners – $200 5 dinners – $350 |
| 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 |
| Books, Supplies & Course Fees Course fees are sometimes imposed to cover field trips. |
$25 / course | $125 / 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
- Personal assistance from your dedicated Admissions Counselor
- 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 Lunch & Walking Tour
Students are welcomed to their new city with a delicious lunch and walking tour of the many Parisian sites, including the Eiffel Tower and the Champs de Mars.
Le Marais Walking Tour & Dinner
Students take a guided stroll through one of the most fashionable neighborhoods in Paris: Le Marais! The district is known for much more than its colorful vintage shops and food, but also for its rich history and culture.
Bateaux Mouches
On this activity, SAI students explore the heart of Paris by boat! Students enjoy a cruise on one of the city’s iconic Bateaux Mouches and take in Paris’ beautiful architecture from the water.
Visit to the St. Chappelle & the Conciergerie
Students visit two incredible feats of Parisian architecture. The St. Chappelle was the chapel to the kings of France and is known for its remarkable stained glass, which remains some of the most intricate in Europe. Just a few steps away from St. Chapelle students also visit the Conciergerie, which once imprisoned Marie Antoinette.
Day Trip to Deauville
Students take a 2 hour train ride to the beautiful coastal city of Deauville. Founded in the 19th century by the Duke of Morny, Deauville was meant to be the “elegant kingdom” close to Paris, and is known for its architecture and beautiful beaches.
Open Market Tour with Tastings
Le marché, or outdoor market, is a tradition at the heart of Parisian life, providing the city with a focal point for social interaction and culinary inspiration. Students take a tour of the celebrated market, and learn about its neighborhood and history. Students also receive tips on how to select the best fruits and vegetables, according to the season.
Farewell Evening Picnic
Students celebrate the end of a successful summer abroad and say their goodbyes over a typical French picnic along the Seine.
Standard Housing: Student apartment
SAI student apartments are convenient and well equipped, and include a shared occupancy bedroom in a shared student apartment (option to upgrade to private bedroom, if available). Typical residences house 2 – 8 students and contain a combination of kitchen, bathroom(s) and living areas. Furnishings, a washing machine, basic kitchen supplies, bed linens and towels are provided. All apartments are equipped with wireless Internet. Housing configurations are designated as female, male, and in some locations, gender-inclusive. SAI on-site staff is available to respond to any maintenance 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 the option of a certain number of dinners per week (cost varies).
Passports
Passports should be valid for 3 months after planned return from France.
Student Visas
In accordance with French law, U.S. students studying in France for 90 days or less are not required to obtain a student visa. Therefore all U.S. students do not require a student visa for this program. Non-US nationals should consult their local Consulate for information on student visa requirements.