Paris
Paris, France

Business + Culture

Study Program Part-Time Internship

Dates

-

18 weeks

Costs

Credit

12 - 16 semester hours

18 - 24 quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

Apply Now

Request Information

Contact Us

Dates

-

38 weeks

Credit

12 - 16 semester hours

18 - 24 quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

Apply Now

Request Information

Contact Us

Dates

-

18 weeks

Credit

12 - 16 semester hours

18 - 24 quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

Apply Now

Request Information

Contact Us

Dates

-

18 weeks

Costs

Credit

12 - 16 semester hours

18 - 24 quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

The application deadline has passed.

Apply Now

Request Information

Contact Us

Overview

Put your French language skills and entrepreneurial spirit to work in the City of Light! Designed for students interested in international business, Parisian culture, and the French language, our Business + Culture program offers you the opportunity to recognize and adapt to varied cultural norms related to business while earning credits toward your degree.  

When class is in session, you’ll enroll in electives at CIEE Paris and take business courses at one of our esteemed partner universities, EDC Paris Business School and ISC Paris Business School. Students who have taken four or more semesters of French (or equivalent) will have the option to take courses in French, but no language course is required for admission to this program. Outside the classroom, coursework will be complemented by exciting overnight excursions and day trips to local businesses and cultural sites to explore all Paris has to offer.

Unique Experiences

Explore your interest in business and culture

while visiting La Défense, the business district of Grand Paris

Develop your entrepreneurial spirit

by visiting Station F, the world’s largest startup campus coaching 1,000+ startups

Appreciate the amazing architecture

in Paris’ business district, which is reflected in its numerous skyscrapers

1.1 m

Businesses in Paris

69

Open air markets

Experience
  • Paris skyline river
  • Paris

The Destination

If you’re looking to spend time in one of the world’s most prominent cultural, finance, and commerce centers, look no further than Paris. The capital of France – and the country’s most populous city – is a top tourist destination. You’re sure to fall in love with its historic landmarks, exquisite dining, and charming architecture.

CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Paris. 

hssa paris girls boat tour tower

Other Cultural Activities and Tours

  • Learn the nuances of the City of Light through a guided tour of Paris  
    Explore the hidden corners of Parisian culture, art, and society through weekly extracurricular activities 
  • See the Mona Lisa with your own eyes at the Louvre Museum 
  • Visit the theaters, cafés, and luxury shops of the Champs-Élysées    
  • Treat yourself to fresh baguettes and croissants at every boulangerie and take a stroll in the gorgeous squares and parks that line the city 
  • Learn about cheesemaking from a local cheese monger and taste a variety of their products    
  • Test your skills as a nose at the Fragonard Perfume Museum and learn about the history of perfume-making in southern France    
  • Take a stroll in the Montparnasse neighborhood, learning about the area’s influence on art and literature, and stop for a crêpe at the end of the visit 
Paris

Internships

A for-credit internship (in English) allows students the opportunity to gain practical work experience in a local company within a variety of industry sectors. In addition to the on-site business experience, students participating in an internship program have a CIEE weekly classroom component, which provides academic support to their practical experience. 

Program Blogs

From CIEE

Best 8 Paris Study Abroad Programs

By College Study Abroad at CIEE

Known as the City of Light, Paris is an absolute dream. From iconic attractions like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, to lesser-known fairytale neighborhoods like Saint-Germain-des-Prés and Le Marais... keep reading

Housing
Academics

Academics

The Business + Culture program offers students the opportunity to explore topics related to international business at CIEE Paris. Students will take at least two business courses at one of our esteemed partner universities: EDC Paris Business School and ISC Paris Business School. 

Students can explore interests via a range of elective courses at CIEE Paris. Students who have taken four or more semesters of French (or equivalent) will have the option to take CIEE courses in French, but no language course is required for admission to the program.

Coursework will be complemented by overnight and day trip excursions to local businesses and cultural sites. Additionally, students can choose to participate in a credit-bearing internship in English to gain practical work experience in a company within a variety of French industry sectors.

Official Fall exams at EDC and ISC take place in late December (Fall semester) and late April/early May (spring semester). While the host institutions instruct faculty to allow for early exams with single-semester international students across the board, as a precaution these early exams should be confirmed on an individual basis with the professor at the start of the regular semester session, during the add/drop period. It is up to the discretion of each professor to offer exams before the start of the official examination periods. Professors are not required to offer early exams; therefore, housing will be covered until exams are complete; students must remain on-site until assessment is complete.

GPA

2.5

Additional Requirements

Please refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Requirements

Students enroll in 12-16 U.S credits (recommended 15 credits), comprised of the following:

  • Two to three courses (in English) at one of the local business schools: ISC Paris Business School (ISC) or EDC Paris Business School (EDC). Students need to choose one school and they can’t combine courses from different business schools. Changing schools is not possible.
  • Two to three CIEE courses, in English and/or French.  

For students who want to take classes in French (except language acquisition courses), a minimum of four semesters of college-level French (or equivalent). Students will need to complete a test to confirm their level and determine if additional French language courses are recommended.

Program Credit

Total credit: 12-16 U.S. semester/18-24 quarter credits (15 credits recommended)

Course Credit

  • CIEE Courses: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours  
  • CIEE Language Courses: 3-4 U.S. semester/4.5-6 quarter credits; 45-60 contact hours  
  • CIEE Internship: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 15 seminar hours, 100-120 internship placement hours  
  • ISC courses: Typically 1-2 U.S. semester/1.5 - 3 quarter credits; 14-40 contact hours 
  • EDC courses: Typically 1-3 U.S. semester/1.5-4.5 quarter credits; 18-46 contact hour

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Academic Culture

CIEE courses are designed to follow U.S. academic culture and standards. The class environment typically features a combination of traditional lecture and discussion with co-curricular excursions and activities. Heavy emphasis is placed on student participation.

At the local universities, depending on courses and course format, you may have classes run in similar styles as CIEE courses, or courses which are more formal and consist of lectures with little class participation. In the French higher education system, great importance is placed on oral presentations and written essays. Professors also expect students to work independently and determine their own study and reading schedules. 

Class Format

Courses taught at the CIEE Center are typically for CIEE students only and classes are scheduled Monday-Thursday and meet three or four times per week. Business school classes are scheduled Monday-Friday.

Attendance is strictly enforced both for classes and required co-curricular excursions. Students should expect an average of two hours of preparation required for each hour in class.

Grading

French university grades are based on a combination of midterm and final examinations, research papers, and oral presentations, and are on the French grading scale of 0-20, which CIEE then converts into recommended U.S. letter grade equivalents. The U.S. grading scale of A-F is used for CIEE classes. Students are graded on the basis of class participation, homework, project work, presentations, and midterm and final examinations. Learning outcomes assessment is continuous through personal reflections, evaluation feedback, self-assessment, and requirements as set out in course syllabi. 

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Language of Instruction

English and/or French

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Courses

Course Information

For students who want to take classes in French (CIEE courses only): Four semesters of college-level French (or equivalent) are required.

Academic Projects

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Agriculture

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Business, Economics, Management, and Marketing

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Communication, Journalism, and Media

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Social Sciences

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Languages and Cultural Studies

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Visual and Performing Arts

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Academic Projects

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Agriculture

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Business, Economics, Management, and Marketing

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Communication, Journalism, and Media

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Social Sciences

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Languages and Cultural Studies

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Visual and Performing Arts

Course
Language
Semester Credit

EDC Paris Business School

Created in 1951, EDC PARIS is one of the oldest business schools in France. Owned by its alumni for more than 20 years, in 2017 EDC PARIS joined the Planeta Group, which provides training to more than 100 000 students on three continents.  

For years, EDC PARIS’ field of specialization and expertise has been entrepreneurship and luxury brand management, for which it regularly ranks first in France. CIEE Paris BC students in the EDC track take courses from the Bachelor of Science in Management Program: https://www.edcparis.edu/en/programs/bachelor-management and/or the Grande Ecole Program (years 1 – 3): 

Course offerings may vary from semester to semester. Courses are taught in English and are typically 1 to 3 U.S. credits each (2.5 to 5 ECTS credits). Here is a sample of EDC courses in English: 

Fall courses (in English) 

Bachelor of Science in Management Program:

  • Corporate finance
  • Corporate social responsibility issues & trends 
  • Digital transformation 
  • Entrepreneurial ecosystems 
  • Financial accounting 
  • Global contemporary issues 
  • Human resource management 
  • International business development & Business assignment
  • International business law 
  • International development strategy 
  • Introduction to accounting 
  • Introduction to cross cultural management
  • Knowledge & challenges of the luxury industry 
  • Management of large international accounts 
  • Sales & Customer relationship management 
  • Strategic marketing 
  • Sustainable management /CSR

Grand Ecole Program:

  • Financial Accounting
  • Introduction to Cognitive Psychology
  • Principles of Economics
  • Quantitative Decision Support Methods I
  • Sales & Customer Relationship Management
  • Soft Skills: Team Building
  • Financial Analysis
  • Human Resource Management
  • Organizational Behaviour
  • Quantitative Decision Support Methods III
  • Soft Skills: Connection to Others & Communication
  • Strategic & Operational Marketing
  • Corporate Finance
  • Entrepreneurial Ecosystems
  • Introduction to Cross Cultural Management
  • Project Management & Information Systems Management
  • Strategic Management
  • Sustainable Management /CSR

Spring Courses (in English) 

Bachelor of Science in Management Program:

  • Artificial intelligence challenges
  • Change management
  • Cost accounting
  • Financial analysis & corporate finance
  • International digital business
  • International human resources
  • Introduction to economics
  • Management accounting & cost analysis
  • Operational marketing
  • Operations management
  • Organizational behavior & human resources
  • Organizational theory

Grand Ecole Program:

  • Management accounting & cost analysis
  • Market studies & Sphinx
  • Organizational theory
  • Principles of economics II
  • Quantitative decision Support methods II
  • Climate Change
  • Coding and apps creation
  • Financial mathematics/Advanced data analysis
  • Operations management
  • Artificial intelligence challenges
  • Change management
  • International digital business
  • International human resources
  • Management control

ISC Paris Business School

Established in 1963, the ISC Paris Group is one of France’s few private, independent higher education groups, founded by business and educational visionary Paul Icard. The ISC Paris Business School holds three international accreditations: AACSB, AMBA, and EPAS. CIEE Paris BC students take courses from the Bachelor of Business Administration Program:

Course offerings may vary from semester to semester. Courses are taught in English and are typically 1, 1.5, or 2 U.S. credits each (2, 3, or 4 ECTS credits, respectively). Here is a sample of ISC courses in English:

Fall courses (in English)

  • Business Communications
  • Business Economics
  • Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility
  • Company Performance Optimization
  • Digital Commerce
  • Human Resource Management
  • Introduction to Marketing
  • Marketing Management
  • Research Methodology
  • Strategic Marketing
  • Team Management

Spring Courses (in English)

  • Business Statistics
  • Creativity and Design Thinking
  • Cross Cultural Communication
  • Digital Marketing
  • Financial Management
  • Principles of Business Law
  • Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis

Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.

Scholarships

Scholarships & Grants

CIEE offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.

Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:

  • Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
  • CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
  • MSI Grant
  • Trailblazer Grant

To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application.

Learn more about scholarships

Dates & Fees

Dates & Fees

You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.

Program

Application Due

Start Date

End Date

Fees & Housing

Program Fall 2024 18 weeks Start Date End Date Fees & Housing $20,950
Program Academic year 2024-2025 38 weeks Start Date End Date
Program Spring 2025 18 weeks Start Date End Date
Program Spring 2024 18 weeks Application Due Deadline Passed Start Date End Date Fees & Housing $20,950

To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Participation Confirmation = $300*

Educational Costs = $14,456**

Housing = $6,000

Insurance = $194

Total Fees = $20,950

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Meals not included in program fee = $1,728

International Airfare = $1,250††

Local Transportation = $440

Books & Supplies = $300

Visa Fees = $393†††

Potential travel to consulate for visa = $500††††

Personal expenses = $300†††††

Total Costs = $4,911

Optional Housing

CIEE accommodation options are detailed in the Housing section. Based on availability, Select or Select Plus Housing can be chosen during the application process for an additional fee:

Select Housing Fee = $750^

Select Plus Housing Fee = $1,500^^

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

*non-refundable

**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

For students in homestays, families provide breakfast and 5 meals a week. For students in residence halls/apartments, you should budget approx. $388 per month for groceries if you plan on making your own meals, and more if you plan on eating out regularly.

††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

†††average cost, including Campus France fees

††††If no consulate in your home area

†††††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries

^based on availability

^^based on availability

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Participation Confirmation = $300*

Educational Costs = $14,456**

Housing = $6,000

Insurance = $194

Total Fees = $20,950

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Meals not included in program fee = $1,944

International Airfare = $1,250††

Local Transportation = $370

Books & Supplies = $300

Visa Fees = $393†††

Potential travel to consulate for visa = $500††††

Personal expenses = $300†††††

Total Costs = $5,057

Optional Housing

CIEE accommodation options are detailed in the Housing section. Based on availability, Select or Select Plus Housing can be chosen during the application process for an additional fee:

Select Housing Fee = $750^

Select Plus Housing Fee = $1,500^^

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

*non-refundable

**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

For students in homestays, families provide breakfast and 5 meals a week. For students in residence halls/apartments, you should budget approx. $388 per month for groceries if you plan on making your own meals, and more if you plan on eating out regularly.

††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

†††average cost, including Campus France fees

††††If no consulate in your home area

†††††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries

^first-come, first serve, based on availability

^^first-come, first serve, based on availability

What's Included

Tuition

Housing

Pre-departure Advising

Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions

Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet

Orientation

Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city

On-site Staff

Full-time program leadership and support in your city

Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities

Excursions and/or Study Tours

Travel Protection

CIEE iNext travel protection

24/7 emergency on-site support

Some Meals

For students living in homestays

Staff

Our Staff

Delphine Mauny

Center Director

A born-and-bred Parisian, Delphine has extensive experience in international education, having worked with American high school students, college students, and adults traveling to France.

Franck Le Gac

Academic Director

Franck oversees the coordination, quality, and planning of all courses and educational programing in Paris. He is responsible for faculty staffing, finalization of syllabi, the course evaluation process, and program...

Linda Ponte

Student Life Manager

With a background in intercultural communication, Linda is a key contact for students and helps participants discover and understand the French culture.

Get Started Steps

Get Started

Here’s what you need to do to take the next steps:

1

Start an Application
You're one step closer to an amazing study abroad experience!

2

Connect With Your Campus Study Abroad Office 
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad. 

3

Contact Us 
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.

Request Info