CEA Study Abroad in Paris, France

Studying in Paris with CEA was an incredible experience. The classes offered allowed me to explore my interests while fulfilling classes needed to graduate (they offered a lot of courses that easily transferred to general electives and even some major classes. The workload was clear and easily manageable, and the classes themselves were super interesting. In my architecture class, we would have weekly excursions to on-site locations we had previously studied in class, which was a really great way to get to know new parts of the city. I also took a French language class at the Sorbonne. I got to meet international students and get exposed to the French education system. The class met for 2 hours 5 days a week and also had a phonetics component which really helped me with my pronunciation. However, I would say this class isn’t for everyone because it was definitely difficult to get adjusted to the French teaching style, and was a big time commitment for just one class. The studio I stayed in was modern and had everything necessary for a comfortable semester. The support from the staff was above and beyond my expectations. They were always quick to respond to any questions or maintenance requests, and were really easy to talk to and ask about the city. They were really friendly and always ready to give recommendations on things to do in the city and even helped me buy a train pass when I travelled around France. The program also did a really great job into helping us immerse ourselves into Parisian life and French culture. The excursions around Paris were my favorite part because I got to discover new parts of the city and explore a really wide variety of interests (from a France v. Germany soccer match to seeing a modern dance show at the Opera Garnier!) The weekend trips that are included in the program were something that I really enjoyed because we got to see unique parts of the country while having everything pre-planned out for us.

Studying abroad with CEA was the adventure of a lifetime. It has inspired me to do so much more travel in my life and I can't wait to go back to Paris! The onsite and offsite staff were so helpful and kind throughout the whole process and made the experience enjoyable. Our professors took us on amazing field trips to places like the louvre and the opera house. I've never had so much fun while going to class, and there was still enough time for me to take plenty of trips. They helped me find an internship, which was such a valuable experience to add on to my semester abroad. I feel so much more prepared to graduate after having so many unique and rewarding experiences throughout the semester. I'll never forget what an incredible semester I had in Paris with CEA.

I have always dreamed of studying abroad and CEA made this a reality for me. They had the most classes that could transfer back into my degree — I even had the option of choosing the courses that most interested me, which was hard to find through other programs. The communication between staff and students is excellent. Just before orientation my flight to Paris was cancelled, but they were patient and attentive in making sure I still had a smooth transition into my semester in France. My studio apartment was very small (or should I say Parisian) but very comfortable. CEA was quick to respond to any housing issues we had; our washing machine broke and was fixed in a matter of two days. This communication is consistent with the professors as well. Their expectations are clear, the workload is considerate and manageable, and (in my experience) the courses are very gears towards cultural immersion. My art history classes often took place on location in the city, so we could take full advantage of studying away from our home institutions. Excursions were well planned and lots of fun. I also loved that excursions with available spots were always opened up to the remainder of the student body, so I was able to jump on even more trips and workshops. The staff was also a valuable resource for Parisian life — often giving me great food recommendations or travel suggestions — and were genuinely concerned with my learning experience and well being. Finally, I also really valued that my experience was so individual. Studying with CEA forced me out of my comfort zone and onto the streets of a foreign country. I learned a lot and am now headed home with memories I will cherish forever. That being said, if you are looking for a study abroad experience that caters more towards maintaining an American identity or fostering a relationship within the student body, this may not be the program for you.

Bonjour Bonjour

I studied abroad Fall of 2017 for one semester with CEA, and truly it wasn't long enough! From pre-departure to arrival and everything in between, CEA is with you every step of the way. I applied about 7 months in advance which gave me a travel voucher of $750 to help with my flight expenses. The pre-depature was made easy as I was throughly told what to do from the start and what needed to get done before I left. Upon arrival to Paris, I was given multiple presentations to help adapt with the culture and how to deal with unexpected situations which made me feel more comfortable being in a new city that I had never been to before. I took classes at Cours Civilization Français a la Sorbonne Monday-Friday and took French language classes. Overall my experience was one in a lifetime. Expect to make life long friends and have tons of fun on the adventures that CEA takes you on. My favorite thing about Paris was watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night. I honestly can't wait to go back and I'm so thankful to have had the experience that I did with CEA!

At CEA, you don't just study while abroad, you study while being so immersed into the local culture and city. I only spent about half of my class periods in the actual classroom - we were always out in the city with our professors (who are brilliant, btw) and learning through seeing and doing! I really recommend CEA in any city, but CEA Paris was amazing as a francophile and lover of French culture.

Above that, CEA provides so much support from the second you apply and even after you return home. I loved CEA Paris that I am returned again as a last semester senior, and the CEA staff have done SO much to make sure I get everything I need out of the program. I didn't expect to receive so much from them the second time around, but the staff has been endlessly helpful and I can't wait to return!

Every summer my university offers an internship opportunity in Paris, but this was the first time my school used CEA to take care of students' logistics (e.g., housing, health insurance). Last year there were nine of us in total going to Paris (plus our professor who did not live with us!). Before coming to Paris we were told that most likely we would all be living in different parts of the city. However, CEA pulled some magic tricks and managed to place us all in two apartments in the same apartment building in one of the wealthiest areas of Paris. And not only this, but my apartment also had a view of the Eiffel Tower!!!! It was spacious for a Parisian apartment, and was nicely decorated. My classmates and I had everything we needed from an iron and washer to a pizza cutter and rice cooker. The CEA center also had additional appliances that we could request, like extra forks, fans, and even hair straighteners. We did have some problems with our shower, but the CEA staff was very responsive and sent someone to repair it the next day after we reported it. They had also told us that the apartment would come with no TV, but it did. This was great because we were able to get a small peak at what French television shows are like, but also because once a week all of my classmates and I would get together to make crepes and watch a movie afterwards. Overall, I really enjoy our housing arrangements. I loved sitting by my window feeling the night breeze and admiring the Eiffel Tower! It truly felt like home and allowed my classmates and I to bond and become like a family!

Being apart of the engineering program at CEA was an interesting experience. This had been the first semester that the program was offered so there were some things that they were testing out for the first time. Overall, the engineering classes weren't terrible. They were different than those offered in the states though. They got two pretty great professors for us and one who was very disorganized with planning. This made learning hard in that class because all of us were unsure of what we needed to know. My other class that I took at CEA was amazing! The professor was great and took pride in her job and showing us a different side of Paris. The only thing I would really change about my stay here is where I chose to live. I lived in the dorm and we did not have reliable WiFi the entire semester. CEA was very helpful about that issue though. Besides that, the dorm was just some rules, some of which were included in the agreement, and some that weren't, that were just rather strange and made no sense. I loved being able to explore Paris on my own time and being able to travel within Europe though during my stay.

CEA Paris has exposed me to an vast array of challenges through the duration of my semester abroad, but the accompanying insights into culture, sociology, history (especially of art), novel academic environments, and international consciousness/"citizenship" have been utterly incredible and dually vital to personal growth that I have no doubt would be impossible to replicate elsewhere.

Paris itself is a location that I genuinely believe outranks [virtually] all others as a destination for study abroad; as I see it, the simple fact is that few if any other global cities can rival the vastness of its rich history, culture, and modern-day draw. For the ways in which their program has permitted me to access and observe that, CEA has my gratitude without reservations.

The CEA Paris staff were an immensely helpful and kind team. All my personal experiences with them were highly positive, whether the reason for our interactions was connected to academics, student life, or my own personal life/experiences in the city.

Culturally, I gained ongoing insights and immersion opportunities through my courses at CEA. I think this was the greatest strength of academics in CEA's Paris Program—the integration of field studies, general out-of-classroom adventures, and French culture learning to encourage a deeper level of immersion in the local culture throughout the semester. Beyond academics too, a series of weekend trips, evening excursions, and in-house workshops supplied almost non-stop opportunities to explore the nuances and histories of Paris/France. This spread of activities was incredibly well-prepared and planned by the CEA staff and aided adaptation immensely. A bit sadly, I did not feel as though I had connection to community in Paris, nor did I find myself building relationships with Parisians through the course of the semester, though this is reflective of French social culture and *not* of CEA's immersion programming.

Through the excursions built into CEA courses and included as weekend activities of the program, there were many times during which I was able to connect more deeply with my peers as we shared very special exploration and discovery experiences in Paris and beyond. Paris/France are beautiful and *fascinating* places, and the people with whom you experience so many "firsts" here are ones with whom you naturally begin to grow closer. Despite the challenge of connecting with the local French people, the sense of community that I see within the student body here at CEA Paris is quite strong, and for that I am very grateful.