The program is located in Paris, France. Both dormitories and classes will take place on St. John’s campus, 93 Rue de Sevres 75006 Paris, France.
Paris goes through all four seasons, so it's generally really hot in summer/early fall and gets quite cold in winter. It doesn't snow often but it rains quite a bit.
The food in France is delicious to some and an acquired taste to others. The French take pride in their food as it's a large part of the culture. You are truly Parisian when you walk around with the baguette you just purchased from the grocery store or corner bakery. The pastries are mouth-wateringly amazing.
Yes. It is relatively cheap to purchase a French SIM card and monthly plan. Bring an unlocked phone. As part of the program it is mandatory that each student have their own local cell phone number so that you can be in constant contact with the program director and staff members.
Yes, you will need your computer for class work and to keep in touch with family back home.
You can communicate with family via Skype, iMessage, email, Facebook, WhatsApp, FaceTime, Messenger, etc.
Yes, your family is free to come and visit you in Paris, but they will have to find their own housing accommodations. Please inform the program director in advance on their travel dates.
To send a package to a student in Paris, please use the following address in this manner:
<Student Name>
c/o St. John's University
93 rue du Sévres
75006 Paris
France
Fly into Charles de Gaulle Airport and take a taxi or Uber to our campus at 93 Rue de Sevres 75006 Paris, France.
You will need a valid passport and long-term visitor visa for which you will apply through a consular office in the U.S. months in advance of travel.
Students are, after the first month, free to travel beyond Paris and beyond France on weekends, at their own expense (as long as such travel does not conflict with class schedules). Students are to let the program director know in advance of travel plans.
Asbury’s Paris Semester provides a full, 13-18 credit hour semester of various general foundational credits in addition to courses focusing particularly on modern and contemporary global contributions (including language) stemming from France. Applicants do not need to come to Paris with prior French language training but are required to take French language within the program while in Paris. See “Courses.”
You will take classes at the St. John's campus. French language classes are taken at École l'Étoile language school.
They are students from Asbury along with “visiting students” from other campuses across the country who have chosen to enroll in Asbury’s Paris Semester. You will also be living with students from the St. John's University’s Paris experience program.
See faculty; French language instruction is provided by native speakers holding advanced degrees in French language. Independent studio art instruction is provided by Paris-based studio artists
Classes in Paris Semester meet once a week. They require a certain level of academic independence due to their once-weekly concentration and rigor. Within many classes, students participate in museum and site visits, the cost of which is included.
An attractive draw of this program is its internship component. Regardless of major, staff at Paris Semester will work with accepted applicants to secure an internship aligning with the field of interest.
Because this program is through Asbury University, you can get a copy of your transcript by requesting one from the Registrar's Office.
Throughout the semester, you will manage, as you would at your home campus, a full load of university course credits, augmented by visits to key sites in the city and beyond. You will learn or further strengthen French language skill, travel on academic excursions related to your courses, and gain a newfound confidence and independence. If you are interning, you may be spending 10- to 15 hours a week working during the day.
Much depends on a student’s choice of courses but a typical day in Paris usually involves a morning class once or twice a week; French language intensive each afternoon for the first month; the possibility of an evening class; and internship hours per arrangement with the internship supervisor (for those seeking internship credit). Students make site visits (such as museums) on occasion during the day; eat lunch out on their own; and study in WIFI cafes.
Students love to sightsee, join small groups, experience French cuisine, take in concerts and art shows, walk around the city, shop and so much more. There's so much beauty and history to take in while in Paris.
Yes, students can seek out opportunities to serve with local churches or other organizations.
Students can choose to attend a French-speaking or English-speaking church from a recommended list provided by semester staff. Some host bilingual services which allow students to practice their French comprehension and worship in both English and French.
The metro and bus system in Paris is phenomenal. It's so easy to get around. There are metro stops on nearly every corner. Paris is also very walkable as a city. Prepare for three to five miles of walking per day and bring very comfortable (non-athletic) walking shoes as street wear. Those for whom extensive walking is not realistic please budget for taxi and Uber rides; or scooter rental or purchase.