Paris: Gap Year

Focus on the French artisanal culture

Overview Academics Support Housing Culture Dates & Fees Application

Academics

Begin the three-month program with an orientation focusing on an intensive three-week French language course. Once the foundation is set, students continue with weekly 90-minute individual language support sessions for the remainder of their time in Paris.

In order to better understand the history and intricacies of French society, the cohort follows a mix of three cultural and civic courses. Site visits and field trips are built into lessons, highlighting themes that are discussed during classroom instruction.

Professors have been carefully chosen not only for their expertise in the respective fields but also for their willingness to share, connect, and welcome a diverse group of international students to France.

Your Schedule

Students enroll in the following courses, each worth four credits each. All classes are conducted in French.

Intensive French Language

During the first three weeks, class meets for 30 hours. Lessons alternate between language courses (grammar, vocabulary, and culture) and oral and written workshops.

After the third week, the course transitions to weekly 90-minute individual support sessions: 30 minutes are spent with the French professor and 60 minutes are spent with a teaching assistant.

These courses begin after Week 3 of Intensive French Language

An Economy of Creation: Discovering the French Savoir-Faire

Steeped in tradition, discover the artisanal fields for which France is recognized. Learn general professional vocabulary to be used in a business setting as well as the vocabulary and specific culture surrounding these sectors:

  • Fashion, perfume, leather goods, shoemakers, and tailors; Sustainable and eco-friendly fashion
  • Cuisine: chocolatier, pastry chef and baker
  • Wine: from the producer to the winemaker to the sommelier
  • Design / Art Gallery

Site visits to workshops, laboratories, and centers for these “Made in France” professions are organized.

Painting, Sculpture in France in the 19th Century

Explore an exceptional period, centered around the Impressionism movement, and conclude with a visit of Monet’s gardens in Giverny.

France Today

This political science course discusses how the country’s past politics have shaped today’s current events.

View Course Catalogs

At the end of the program, each student will receive the following end-of-term packet:

  • Transcript (includes credit hours, French grades, and American equivalents)
  • Professor’s evaluation (includes detailed report of the grades earned)
  • Course descriptions and bibliographies
  • Student’s academic schedule

APA is recognized as a private institution of higher education by the French Ministry of Education.

Your time in La Francophonie is not over

Spend a summer studying in Dakar, Senegal or Fort-de-France, Martinique or interning in Paris. Or, return to France as a member of one of our Paris or Multi-Country: France, Morocco, Senegal cohorts.

As an APA alum, you automatically qualify for returning student discounts. Receive $500 off semester programs and $250 off summer programs.

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