Information

for Parents

Frequently Asked Questions

APA has compiled a list of topics of conversation that often come up when discussing study abroad with our students’ parents. If you have further inquiries, you are always welcome to contact us directly.

What is APA?

Academic Programs Abroad (APA) is a study abroad program provider designing immersive, customized programs for students in Francophone destinations including Paris; France; Dakar, Senegal; Rabat, Morocco; and Fort-de-France, Martinique. Students can choose to spend a short-term, summer, semester, or an entire academic year with us. APA also offers a two-month Parisian summer internship option.

Participants on our study abroad programs come from American universities and colleges while gap year participants do not need to be matriculated at a higher education institution.

In addition, APA designs faculty-led and custom programs for higher education institutions. These programs can cater to any discipline and courses can be taught in French or English.

Learn more »

Who can apply to an APA program?

Our study abroad programs are designed for undergraduate students at American colleges and universities, though our students come from all over the world.

Students who participate in our gap year program do not need to be enrolled at a college or university but they must be at least 18 years old.

All students on all programs must meet the Essential Eligibility Criteria. Consult each program for the respective eligibility guidelines.

When are the application deadlines?

For academic year or fall semester:
March 15

For spring semester:
October 15

For summer:
April 15

Students may open an application at any time for any program and admissions are done on a rolling basis. APA provides early bird discounts ($300 for semester/year | $100 for summer) when a student is accepted and submits the program deposit two months prior to the application deadline for the respective term.

Early Bird Deadlines

For academic year or fall semester:
January 15

For spring semester:
August 15

For summer:
February 15

Is a passport required to study abroad? What about a student visa?

Paris

A passport is required and a student visa is required for stays over 90 days. In order to do so, the student must have a valid passport that will expire at least six months after the conclusion of the program. More information will be provided after acceptance into APA.

Dakar

A valid passport is required however, a student visa is not needed for stays under 90 days for American passport holders. For international students, visa requirements may be different. Contact the US APA office for any questions.

Rabat

A valid passport is required however, a student visa is not needed for stays under 90 days for American passport holders. For international students, visa requirements may be different. Contact the US APA office for any questions.

French Antilles

A valid passport is required however, a student visa is not needed for stays under 90 days for American passport holders. For international students, visa requirements may be different. Contact the US APA office for any questions.

Do students need to get immunizations before departure?

APA advises all students to consult a doctor and to make sure your standard vaccinations are up-to-date before traveling abroad.

Paris

No, France does not require any specific immunizations, nor are they necessary for travel in France.

Dakar

The CDC recommends that most travelers receive the following immunizations when traveling to Senegal: Hepatitis A, Malaria, Typhoid, and Yellow Fever. Some travelers may be required to have the Hepatitis B, Meningitis, and Rabies vaccines. Visit and consult with your doctor about 4-6 weeks before the departure date to receive the recommended immunizations.

Rabat

The CDC recommends that most travelers receive the following immunizations when traveling to Morocco: Hepatitis A and Typhoid. Some travelers may be required to have the Hepatitis B and Rabies vaccines. Visit and consult with your doctor about 4-6 weeks before the departure date to receive the recommended immunizations.

French Antilles

The CDC recommends that most travelers receive the following immunizations when traveling to Martinique: Hepatitis A and Typhoid. Some travelers may be required to have the Hepatitis B, Rabies, and Yellow Fever vaccines. Visit and consult with your doctor about 4-6 weeks before the departure date to receive the recommended immunizations.

Where will students study?

Paris

APA directly enrolls students in one or several of our 10 partner French universities and institutes in Paris. Students also have the option of enrolling in our in-house electives. An independent study or research can replace a course for students who have at least a B1 French language level.

Gap year students will follow courses that are taught by APA faculty at our center in the 14th arrondissement.

Dakar

Students are directly enrolled at the Institut Supérieur de Management (ISM) and take classes alongside local students on campus.

Multi-Country: France, Morocco, Senegal

In Paris, students take classes on the campus of Ecole Normale Supérieur (ENS). The Université Mohammad V will serve as the site for classrooms in Rabat, Morocco and in Dakar, Senegal, students will take class at the Institut Supérieur de Management (ISM) campus. Courses are taught by local faculty.

Where will students live?

Paris

Students can choose to live with a host family, carefully chosen by APA, or they can choose to live in an APA-arranged French student residence or find an apartment on their own through independent living. With independent living, students must receive approval from their home institution.

Host family and student residence living options are available for gap year participants.

Dakar, French Antilles & Multi-Country: France, Morocco, Senegal

All students are paired with a host family after careful review of a housing questionnaire.

What kind of classes can students take?

Paris

APA students take courses for nearly any major–from art history to zoology. Because French universities do not release their course offerings until the beginning of each semester, APA has put together a course catalog made up of classes that we generally expect to be offered every year for your convenience.

View the course options here »

Dakar

Students of any major can join the Dakar program and follow courses in the School of Management, School of Engineering, or Madiba Leadership Institute for political science and communications.

View the course options here »

Multi-Country: France, Morocco, Senegal

All majors are welcome. Students will take Introduction to France, Morocco, Senegal: Three Worlds, One Language and choose their remaining three classes from the seven available.

View the course options here »

French Antilles

Students of any major can join the French Antilles program and choose two courses from the five that are offered by APA for the summer term.

View the course options here »

Paris: Gap Year

Students follow four courses in French language, art history, and political science.

View the course options here »

Will course credits transfer?

APA is recognized as a private institution of higher education by the French Ministry of Education. As such, we are able to issue our own transcripts.

Speak with your study abroad advisor about your university’s requirements and policy; most schools will transfer study abroad credit as a letter grade while others may transfer credits as pass/fail. Each institution is different but generally, they will ask to have your courses pre-approved by submitting course syllabi and descriptions.

Paris & Dakar

APA students usually follow four courses per semester. During the shopping (add/drop) period, students can sit in on a maximum of 10 classes in order to find the courses that best fits their needs and institutional requirements. APA contacts the student’s home study abroad office and/or academic advisor to submit syllabus information and determine if the course will be accepted.

French Antilles & Multi-Country: France, Morocco, Senegal

Students will pre-select the courses they would like to follow. Syllabi will be made available to students so that this information can be passed along to the home institution’s study abroad office and/or academic advisor for approval.

Paris: Gap Year

Students will follow the same courses. A transcript will be provided if you wish to transfer credit to a college or university.

How can I receive a copy of my transcript?

Send an email to the APA US Office at usa@apaparis.com. Please use “Transcript” as the subject line.

Can graduate students study abroad through APA?

Yes! APA welcomes and supports graduate students in their study abroad experience. While programs are designed for undergraduates, APA works on a case-by-case basis to ensure your learning goals are achieved. Generally this includes regular individual working sessions with a professor specialized in your area of research to help you structure and develop your thesis.

A gap year is also no longer for people who have just graduated high school! If you are looking for a memorable experience abroad, want to improve your adaptability and resilience, and satisfy your intellectual curiosity, a gap year in Paris is an excellent choice.

Is there a summer program?

Yes! APA offers six-week programs in West Africa, in Dakar, Senegal; in the Lesser Antilles of the Caribbean, on the French island of Martinique; and in the Moroccan capital city of Rabat. Two-week extensions in Dakar in intensive Wolof, independent study, volunteer work, or an internship are available. The French Antilles program offers a two-week extension for independent studies. The Rabat programs offer a two-week extension for volunteering.

Learn more about Dakar »

Learn more about French Antilles »

Learn more about Rabat: Intensive Arabic »

Learn more about Rabat: North Africa & France Comparative Studies »

Learn more about The Contemporary Maghreb »

Three week short-term program options are also available during the summer.

Learn more about Dakar: June Short-Term »

Learn more about Paris: August Short-Term »

Learn more about Paris: June Short-Term »

Learn more about Rabat: June Short-Term »

Is there a summer internship?

Yes! Students who spend at least one semester with APA during the academic year preceding the summer internship term have the opportunity to work two months full-time as an intern in Paris. Internships are possible in a variety of Parisian firms, businesses, NGOs, labs, national departments, and more.

Learn more »

What will happen if there is a problem during the program? Is there a support network?

A 24/7 emergency contact is available on all programs. Contact information is distributed during orientation.

Students are encouraged to speak with an APA staff member if there are concerns during their time abroad. An appropriate action plan will be developed and implemented in order to alleviate any issues. Our staff is there to support you during your stay, but you also have a contact in our US office should you or your parents need it.

Will my current health insurance policy work abroad?

All students are required to have a valid health insurance policy for the duration of the term abroad. This could be through a parent’s policy or the home institution. If your home institution’s study abroad office does not propose an option, our US office can provide you with some. It is important to determine the exact coverage provided, the countries included, the out-of-pocket expenses you will incur, as well as reimbursement periods. You may also wish to determine what sports are covered if you plan on partaking in these activities during your stay abroad. These costs are not included in your program fees.

Dakar & Multi-Country: France, Morocco, Senegal

Health insurance policies must include repatriation.

Does everyone study at the same locations?

Paris

Not necessarily. As APA allows students to tailor their program while abroad, each student can choose classes at one or several of our 10 partner institutions. Therefore, unless you are of the same major with the same academic needs, it is likely that you will be taking classes at different institutions on different campuses.

Gap year students will take classes together at the APA center.

Dakar, French Antilles & Multi-Country: France, Morocco, Senegal

All courses take place on the same campus.