Study Abroad | Paris

Housing

Included

Paris Homestay

Homestays are located within the city of Paris and about 40 minutes by metro from classes and the AIFS office. You will have a key and can come and go as you wish. The homestay includes:

• Double bedroom with another AIFS student
• A single room may be available for a supplement of $125 (January 2025) / $150 (January 2026)
• Access to kitchen
• Privacy for study
• French style breakfast daily and 3 dinners with host family

Optional

Communal Residence ($825 January 2025 / $850 January 2026)

Live with other AIFS students in residence halls located in central Paris for a supplemental fee. The residence includes:

• Double or triple bedrooms
• Breakfast every day and lunch or dinner 5 days a week – this may be in the form of an allowance
• Self-service laundry facilities

Internet access is included in all AIFS housing in Paris.

City Facts

Food

Paris is famous for its restaurants and haute cuisine, food meticulously prepared and artfully presented. Thanks to immigration, every French regional cuisine and almost every national cuisine in the world can be found in Paris; the city has more than 9,000 restaurants. In addition to restaurants, the café concept arrived in Paris in the 17th century. Since then, Parisian cafés have been considered centers for the city’s political and cultural life.

Fashion

Since the 19th century, Paris has competed for the title of Fashion Capital of the World, particularly when it comes to haute couture, hand-made clothing for special clients. Some of the largest fashion houses and designers call Paris home including Dior, Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld, and Christian Lacroix. The city also plays hosts to two Fashion Weeks, held in January and July. 

Architecture

The city owes its style to its aligned street-fronts, distinctive cream-grey “Paris stone” building decoration, aligned top-floor balconies, and tree-lined boulevards. Amazingly, Paris has never been destroyed by catastrophe or war and has preserved even its earliest history, including many famous landmarks and buildings. Parisian architecture is best highlighted in the city’s churches (Basilica of Sacré-Cœur, Saint Chapelle, La Madeleine, Notre Dame Cathedral), Palais Garnier Opera House, Louvre Pyramid and Eiffel Tower.

Site Staff

AIFS Abroad in Paris Co-Directors, January Term Program

Danica Debizet

Bonjour! “Hello” in French, one of the four languages I am fluent in, along with English, German and Slovak. You have quite the experience awaiting you in Paris; from the cultural activities offered, the number of museums to visit and the various people you’ll meet, it is sure to be an amazing time.

I studied for three separate MA degrees in Paris and Grenoble and have lived in four different countries. I consider myself a “global citizen” and am looking forward to helping you to adjust to your time abroad. As your Program Director, I am here to advise, listen, help and encourage you to make your stay in Paris a wonderful experience that you will always remember. My door is always open to meet you.

AIFS Abroad in Paris Co-Director, January Term Program

Jane Downs

As a French and British national, I have lived in Paris for almost three decades. With Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Cambridge University in the UK, and an additional Master’s in Art History, I love making the most of the city’s cultural offer –its wealth of art and history are endlessly interesting. When not in museums, I can be found strolling through a park or up to my elbows in pottery clay!

Having first come to France as a high school student, I lived for 2 years with a French family. It was an experience that prepared me well for welcoming study abroad students and helping them navigate their stay overseas. I am sure that you will have an enriching, life-changing experience, acquiring not only a wealth of new skills, but also a new second home, in the city of light.

The Program Director provides academic advice, introduces you to the community and handles communication with the University.

Cultural Activities

Learning does not begin or end in the classroom. To help you get a true taste of French culture, a wide range of cultural activities and excursions are included in your program fee. Activities and events will include:

• Welcome dinner in a typical French restaurant
• Guided city tour in a private bus with an English-speaking professional guide
• Visit to the Opéra Garnier
• Bateaux-Mouches boat trip along the River Seine
• Château of Versailles excursion
• French King’s cake and cider tasting