Arizona in Paris

For students who have completed French 202 before the start of the program, the University of Arizona offers a six-week total-immersion program in Paris. Courses are taught by members of the UA teaching staff, and students earn six units of UA credit.

Now over 25 years in operation, the Arizona Paris Program has been designed to ensure that all aspects of the program —curriculum, housing, excursions and tours— maximize students’ opportunities to make rapid progress in fluency, comprehension, and writing, while increasing their understanding and appreciation of France and French culture.

The Paris summer program carries 6 units of credit. Depending on the student’s level, several different course combinations are available. A short list of courses is below. 

FREN 301: Pronunciation and Conversation.  This course focuses on oral communication and is designed to enhance listening comprehension and fluency in French.

FREN 302: Grammar, Usage, and Composition.  This course stresses written communication.  In addition, conversation and reading are targeted as means to inform writing. 

FREN 310: Spoken French in Cultural Context. Spoken French in cultural context has for its primary objective to cultivate the student’s ability to speak French correctly (with few mistakes) and authentically (intelligible to a Francophone speaker). Various activities—debates, roundtable discussions, role play, dialogues, interviews and Q/A sessions—will engage the participation of each student. 

FREN 320: Written French in Cultural Context. FREN 320 is designed to give you the opportunity to further develop your ability to communicate in written French and proposes to do so though the extensive and intensive reading and writing of a great variety of French texts. 

FREN 425: The cultural history of France surveyed through selected works of literature, art, and architecture. Readings and discussions, in conjunction with faculty-guided visits to historical sites in Paris. Offered in Paris program only.. Prerequisite: FREN 310-320.

FREN 457: Study of selected film classics, from the origins of the cinema (les freres Lumiere) in 1895 to the 20th century. Draws on the resources of the various Paris cinematheques. Offered in Paris program only. Prerequisite: FREN 310-320.

In addition to classroom instruction, students in all courses participate in faculty-guided visits to historical sites, museums, and monuments in Paris, and in the extended excursions.

The heart of the program is Paris. Students will visit, with faculty and on their own, some of the world’s most famous cultural scenery: from the days of the Romans (Arènes de Lutèce) to the designs of tomorrow; from medieval streets and Gothic cathedrals to some of the most exciting solutions to the problems of the modern city; from the world’s most-visited museums and monuments (Louvre, Versailles, Notre-Dame) to some of the world’s most popular spots for just walking, shopping, stopping to sip an espresso in a sidewalk café (Montparnasse, Quartier Latin, Champs-Elysées). Classes meet at the University of Paris Diderot located in the 13th arrondissement.

Students live in private homes with French families accustomed to welcoming study abroad students. Program fee includes tuition (6 units), housing & meals (demi-Pension), all excursions, tours, and group activities. Financial aid available.