Summer Study in Paris

We invite you to register for our next Summer Study in Paris trip in Summer 2023! Come to our Paris Previews via Zoom (see dates and times below right).

Program Highlights from Summer 2023:

  • French language classes at all levels—beginning to advanced—either at the Institut Catholique de Paris or ESA’s Survival French program
  • Lodging in central Paris in dorm or in families
  • Pass for unlimited bus and metro use in the Paris region
  • Outstanding civilization and cultural activity program
  • Tickets to the opera or ballet
  • Versailles passport
  • Guided visits to the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay
  • College credit available through college partners
  • Weekend in Normandy with scenic Honfleur & Etretat
  • Discover Vaux-le-Vicomte Castle
  • Explore Auvers-sur-Oise where Van Gogh painted

Program Description:

Los Angeles Valley College, East Los Angeles College and the European Studies Association [ESA] invite you to participate in an exceptional educational experience: Summer Study in Paris 2023.

Since the Middle Ages, Paris has drawn students from around the world for university studies, its culture and the experience of its cosmopolitan lifestyle. Celebrating our forty-third annual program, we have the faculty, the background and the knowledge to make your month in Paris worthy of one of the world’s great capital cities. In addition to language classes, you will improve your knowledge of French culture through our rich civilization course—visits, lectures and walking tours. We include the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, the newly renovated Carnavalet Museum and Parisian neighborhoods, as well as an introduction to French history.

On weekends we will also visit Normandy spending two nights in charming Honfleur, Monet’s home and gardens at Giverny, the chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte, and Auvers-sur-Oise where Van Gogh painted. We won’t neglect daily life in Paris either. Additional activities include Versailles, gourmet meals, ballet and opera and more. The quality of our program is shown in the number of participants who repeat it!

Language Program Choices

ESA offers you two language program choices in addition to the civilization course and cultural activities:

15 hours of French class per week at the Institut Catholique de Paris (see below)

OR

Survival French: A French culture and basic language program with thirty hours of language training during the month, taught by ESA faculty. In this course, you’ll learn the basic French you’ll need to speak with storekeepers, café personnel and others in order to feel at ease in the Parisian environment, as well as an introduction to French life—music, food, etc. We recommend this choice for those with no background in French. Intermediate classes are dependent on demand.

The Institut Catholique de Paris

The Institut Catholique de Paris, a private French university of international reputation, will provide your French language instruction. Universities world-wide recognize and regularly grant credit for its excellent language courses. The Institut is located in the St.-Germain-des-Prés area in central Paris, very near our dorms. There you will meet students from around the world, who, like you, have come to Paris to take advantage of the Institut’s fine teachers, up-to-date materials, and small classes. Like many private universities in the US, the Institut has a religious affiliation, but instruction is non-sectarian. ESA, the largest group at the Institut summer session, will handle pre-enrollment formalities. A placement test will determine which course is most appropriate for you.

Institut Catholique Courses

(highly recommended for intermediate and advanced students)

French language courses, elementary to advanced:

9am-12pm Monday through Friday [3-5 semester units]*

These classes offer high quality language instruction in conversation, grammar, culture, and reading. Classes average 20-25 students and use up-to-date materials.

*Credits are given as a guideline only—see academic credit section.

Comments from previous participants

Overall great experience…Great program…Amazing experience!

Everyone was really welcoming and all the professors made themselves available to any need we had

The program exceeded my expectations—from the fancy dinners, the activities, and the day trips.

Your Paris Agenda:

  • June 30: Depart USA.
  • July 1: Arrive Paris. Neighborhood Walks.
  • July 2: Orientation. Walk Historic St.-Germain-des-Prés. My Favorite Paris.
  • July 3: Visit Organic Market. Museum Visits. Dinner. Bateaux-Mouches.
  • July 4: SF/IC Civ Lecture 2. Opera: Faust.
  • July 5: SF/IC Restau-U-Visit. Civ Lecture 3. Walk Quartier Latin.
  • July 6: SF/IC Civ Lecture 3.
  • July 7: SF/IC Louvre Visit. Museum open in the evening.
  • July 8: SF/IC Ballet: Giselle at Opera Garnier.
  • July 9: Day Trip: Vaux-le-Vicomte Castle.
  • July 10: Free Day.
  • July 11: SF/IC Civ Lecture 4. Dessert & Movie Night.
  • July 12: SF/IC SF Market Day. Cheese Tasting. Musee d'Orsay.
  • July 13: SF/IC Civ Lecture 5.
  • July 14: National Holiday. Film: Building the Opera Garnier.
  • July 15: SF/IC Free Afternoon.
  • July 16: Day Trip: Auvers-sur-Oise, Van Gogh Village.
  • July 17: Free Day. Suggested Visit: Versailles.
  • July 18: SF/IC Civ Lecture 6. Culinary Talk: Chef Alex.
  • July 19: SF/IC Paris of the Belle Epoque & Garnier Opera Walk.
  • July 20: SF/IC Civ Lecture 7. Ste. Chapelle Concert.
  • July 21: SF/IC Free Afternoon.

Normandy Weekend:

  • July 22: Giverny. Group Lunch. Honfleur.
  • July 23: Étretat.
  • July 24: Scenic Village Senlis.
  • July 25: SF/IC Civ Test.
  • July 26: IC SF Finals. Free Afternoon.
  • July 27: IC Walk Le Marais.
  • July 28: IC Farewell Party.
  • July 29-30: Free Day.
  • July 31: End of Program.

SAMPLE DAY WITH ESA IN PARIS

  • 7-9 AM: Breakfast at the dorm
  • 9-12 PM: Class at the Institut or Survival French
  • 12-2 PM: Lunch break
  • 2-5 PM: Paris exploration group walk: Ile de la Cité, etc.
  • 7-8 PM: Dinner
  • 8-10 PM: Concert or performance

Some days may contain fewer activities.

All ESA participants may attend the following courses according to their interests:

ESA Civilization Courses

ESA had designed the following courses to help you make the most of your time in Paris. ESA students are welcome to participate in all activities. (Because of the numerous activities in the program, there may be some course/activity conflicts.) There is no additional charge for the following:

French Civilization—Origins to the Present

An historical survey of the relationship between French political life, social structure, art, architecture and urbanism in the Middle Ages, Renaissance, 17TH Century, Enlightenment, Revolution and modern period. Special emphasis on Paris as the center of French civilization. Approximately 12 hours of lecture plus guided visits in and around Paris. For example, a lecture on medieval Paris followed by visits to the Latin Quarter. See calendar for list of visits. Offered in both French and English; some visits in English only.

Contemporary French Culture

Orientation to daily life in the French capital. Practical visits, information on food, music, etc.

ESA FACULTY

The program is led by Dr. Tom Blair, Dr. Terri Nelson, Prof. Camilo Bonilla, Prof. Philippe Kreiter, Prof. Jaklin Yermian and Dr. Lynn Vogel-Zuiderweg. Our faculty help introduce you to Paris (and French) life through its language, customs, history and culture. All our faculty have spent extensive time in Paris. They can help guide you to the secret spots in the city loved by locals but ignored by tourists. They’ll also give you a top ten list of things to eat (Paris is the gastronomic capital of the world), take you on impromptu visits of Parisian neighborhoods and help you find sites that match your interests (e.g. music, architecture, art and sports). Each brings his or her teaching experience, love of France and enthusiasm for sharing Paris with you to the ESA program.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Students stay in well-located dorms in the St.-Germain-des-Prés area of Paris. Each dorm has comfortable community areas—lounge, TV room, student kitchen, library, etc. To suit your tastes, each dorm provides either daily breakfast and dinner or breakfast only. More detailed descriptions of the dorms with photos can be found on our website esaparis.org. Apply early for maximum choice. Single rooms are available at a supplement. A limited number of accommodations with French families are also available.

MEALS

ESA helps students suit their eating tastes. Continental breakfast is provided at the dorm or with the family. One dorm also provides weeknight dinners. You may also take advantage of the student kitchen. We have lists of recommended restaurants in our Paris pratique website.

TRANSPORTATION

ESA has arranged a group flight on Lufthansa Airlines to Paris. Students taking the designated flights receive transfers to the dorms at no charge. Students may choose to make other arrangements, but they are then responsible for arranging transportation to the dorm.

Such a great program and truly a bargain. My dorm felt like home + a good hotel + summer camp. The museum visits are outstanding, the language program, c’est magnifique et formidable!

ACADEMIC CREDIT

Options for academic credit are available for an additional fee, depending on the institution granting credit and the number of units taken. Our affiliate colleges require course enrollment. Information may be found on the program website, esaparis.org, and is distributed at program orientation meetings. Enrollment must be completed before departure and submitted no later than May 25.

APPLICATION & PAYMENT

For information:
Prof. Jaklin Yermian
Email: yermiaj@lavc.edu

MEMBERSHIP ELIGIBILITY

All persons interested in participating in a study program are invited to enroll with ESA. Minimum age is 17. ESA does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, age or gender in any of its practices. The ESA program is designed for people without mobility impairment because of the restrictions placed upon us by the foreign locale. Participants must submit by May 25, 2022, a copy of their proof of vaccination for Covid-19; French law requires such proof for many activities for various activities.

Insurance

ESA participants are obliged to cover themselves against the cost of medical treatment abroad. They can do this by taking out a travel insurance policy. You may use your own insurance, but it must be listed on your program contract. Additional trip insurance is recommended. Please see website for more detailed information.

The Program Fee Includes:

Tuition at the Institut Catholique de Paris, ESA Survival French course, or Tutoring per your choice; accommodation and meal plan selected; special courses and lectures organized by ESA; performance ticket; all ESA excursions including transportation and hotel on the Normandy weekend; Institut certificate; museum/monument entry fees on ESA excursions; bus/metro pass for Paris; international student ID. Students normally are required to enroll in classes for credit with their affiliate college.

The Program Fee does NOT include:

Transportation to and from the program, independent travel; personal items: passport, visas, textbooks, laundry; medical, accident, baggage loss, personal liability, trip cancellation insurance; lunches, dinners in some dorms; US college tuition.

Refunds:

For information:
Prof. Jaklin Yermian
Email: yermiaj@lavc.edu

Download the ESA Brochure for Fee Information & Application Form at esaparis.org

Offered in cooperation with:

East Los Angeles College
Los Angeles Valley College

Free Zoom program preview every month!

Events

There are currently no events

Register for the Zoom meeting previews here.

Dates of other meetings are on the ESA program website at esaparis.org

Join us to get your questions answered and more.

ESA Program website: esaparis.org

Contact

For information:
Prof. Jaklin Yermian
Email: yermiaj@lavc.edu