IES-Paris: French Studies

The program is open to Purdue students who have completed at least two semesters of university study by the start of the program. Successful candidates will demonstrate academic success, maturity and a desire to experience another culture. 

In addition, students must take at least one French course within the year prior to the program's start date.

Students interested in completing courses while abroad from Purdue colleges or departments that are not listed above should discuss this with their study abroad advisor before applying to the program.

Paris will be your classroom. This program facilitates full immersion in French language and in French society through a varied and dynamic academic program, excellent homestays, cultural activities, internships, and conversation clubs. In addition, faculty members integrate local course-related trips into all courses.

IES offers unique courses that explore French Language, History, and Culture through an in-depth and hands-on approach. Our world-class professors and course options at prestigious local universities enhance your academic experience and provide you with new perspectives each day in class.

You take 15 to 19 credit hours per semester. All courses are taught in French.

In order to create a French language environment, you are required to observe a rigorous language pledge while at the IES Abroad Paris French Studies Center.

For more information on available courses, please click here.

Due to COVID-19, excursions are subject to change.

Even though your adventure starts in Paris, IES field trips take you beyond the city to discover the culture and traditions of your host country. An orientation trip and field trips are included in your program fee. For more information and to see example destinations, click here.

Students should carefully note what costs need to be paid to Purdue University or to a co-sponsor or agency, and what costs need to be paid at the overseas study location.  This will vary by program.

Program fee includes: tuition, on-site orientation and field trips.

Housing fee includes: placement with a host family, daily breakfast, and three evening meals per week. A limited number of self-catered (no meals included) apartments are available for an additional fee (students should also budget more for meals if choosing this option). See the IES website for details.

*For Fall 2021, homestays are unavailable. Housing cost is for an apartment and no meals included, see meals line for approximate meal costs.

Costs for this program are estimated and subject to change. The cost figures listed below are for: Spring 2022

Purdue University financial aid may be applied to the costs of studying abroad. Students interested in receiving financial aid should

• direct financial aid inquiries to the Division of Financial Aid on the West Lafayette campus; 
• consult website Study Abroad Financial Aid Process;
• complete and submit the FAFSA by the appropriate deadline.

NOTE:  Recipients of certain tuition remission and scholarship programs should pay careful attention to the regulations for using those benefits for study abroad.  Ask your financial aid advisor about any limitations.

Click here for a list of scholarships and grants available to assist with the costs of studying overseas.

For full consideration, students must submit all supporting documents before or by the application deadline.  Popular programs fill quickly, often before the deadline.  To insure a place in a program, apply early.

As soon as a student submits an online application, a My Study Abroad account is created. Applicants should consult this page often to check on the status of the application.

Click below to search for Purdue students who have participated in this program and are willing to be contacted.  If you get no results, you can use the search form to find people who studied in the country you are interested in.

The websites listed below contain information about this program. The accuracy of information at external sites cannot be guaranteed.

• Program Sponsor's Home Page: IES
• Program Website
• Search Google(tm)*
• Department of State Consular Information
  (You must find France in list)
• CDC Travel Information (You must find France in list)