Information

for Students

Compare Programs

Use the chart below for a quick comparison of APA programs. Should you have specific questions about an offering, we invite you to send us a message at usa@apaparis.com or schedule a Zoom conversation.

When it comes to eligibility, the length of time spent studying French should be seen as a guideline rather than a requirement – not all students learn language at the same pace! Unless otherwise specified, we have seen students excel on our programs at a B1 starting language level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Use the CEFR self-assessment guide for a breakdown of the levels.

Select up to 3 programs to compare:

Paris
Dakar
Multi-Country:
France, Morocco, Senegal
Dakar Summer
Paris Summer Internship
French Antilles Summer
Paris: Gap Year
North Africa and France Comparative Studies:
Rabat Summer
Intensive Arabic:
Rabat Summer
Paris: August Short-Term

Paris

  • For students with a B1 French language level and up
  • Approximately 3-4 or more semesters of college-level French

Length of Stay

  • Fall Semester: August 28, 2024 – December 15, 2024
  • Spring Semester: January 3 – May 11, 2025
  • Academic Year: August 28, 2024 – May 11, 2025

Academics

  • Hybrid direct enroll – course offerings at 11 Paris universities and institutions + APA
  • B1 language level: up to 4 courses taught in French and/or English
  • B2 language level and up: Up to 4 courses, all taught in French
  • Orientation: 1 week in Paris
  • Weekly customized, individual language support

Accommodations

  • Homestay
  • Student residence
  • Independent apartment living (with home institution approval)

Culture

  • 6-7 performing arts shows and cultural events
  • 2 weekend excursions
  • 2 outings
  • Volunteer, extracurricular, and cultural exchange opportunities

Support

  • 24/7 support
    • Pre-departure (student visa application assistance, pre-departure orientation, funding, etc.)
    • On-site (emergency and health matters, housing, and logistical guidance)
    • Academic (course specific tutoring, methodology sessions)
  • Public transportation pass
EXPLORE

Dakar

  • For students with a B1 French language level and up
  • Approximately 3-4 or more semesters of college-level French

Length of Stay

  • Fall Semester: early September 2024 – December 23, 2024 (TBC)
  • Spring Semester: early February 2025 – May 25, 2025 (TBC)
  • Academic Year: early September 2024 – May 25, 2025 (TBC)

Academics

  • Direct enroll – course offerings at ISM
  • B1 language level: up to 4 courses taught in French and/or English
  • B2 language level and up: Up to 4 courses, all taught in French
  • Orientation: 3 days
  • Weekly customized, individual language support

Accommodations

Homestay

Culture

  • 4 cultural events throughout the program: concerts, theater, dance
  • Weekend excursion to Sine Saloum Delta (fall semester)
  • Weekend excursion to Saint Louis (spring semester)
  • Day trip to Gorée Island
  • African arts workshops and seminars
  • Weekly conversational Wolof classes
  • Volunteer, extracurricular, and cultural exchange opportunities

Support

  • 24/7 support
    • Pre-departure (student visa application assistance, pre-departure orientation, funding, etc.)
    • On-site (emergency and health matters, housing, and logistical guidance)
    • Academic (course specific tutoring, complementary courses, methodology sessions)
EXPLORE

Multi-Country:
France, Morocco, Senegal

  • For students with a B1 French language level and up
  • Approximately 3-4 or more semesters of college-level French

Length of Stay

  • Fall Semester: August 28 – December 13, 2024 (TBC)
  • Spring Semester: January 3 – April 18, 2024 (TBC)

Academics

  • Enroll in 4 APA courses: 1 common course + 3 electives from the 7 offered, all taught in French
  • Orientation: 4 days in Paris + mini sessions in Rabat and Dakar
  • Arabic and Wolof initiation classes

Accommodations

  • Homestay

Culture

  • 3 cultural events in each host city
  • 1 weekend excursion in each host city
  • 1 day trip in each host city

Support

  • 24/7 support
    • Pre-departure (visa application assistance if necessary, pre-departure orientation, funding, etc.)
    • On-site (emergency and health matters, housing, and logistical guidance)
    • Academic (course specific tutoring, methodology sessions)
EXPLORE

Dakar Summer

  • For students with a B1 French language level and up
  • Approximately 3-4 or more semesters of college-level French

Length of Stay

  • 6 weeks (May 29 – July 14, 2024)
  • 2-week extension (May 29 – July 28, 2024)

Academics

  • Choose 2 APA courses from the 7 offered – courses open to local students, all taught in French
  • With 2-week extension choose a track: volunteer, independent study, intensive Wolof or internship placement
  • Orientation: 3 days
  • Weekly customized, individual language support

Accommodations

  • Homestay

Culture

  • 3 cultural events throughout the program: concerts, theater, dance
  • Weekend excursion to Sine Saloum Delta
  • 2 day trips: Ile Gorée and Lac Rose
  • African arts workshops and seminars
  • Weekly conversational Wolof classes

Support

  • 24/7 support
    • Pre-departure (visa application assistance if necessary, pre-departure orientation, funding, etc.)
    • On-site (emergency and health matters, housing, and logistical guidance)
    • Academic (course specific tutoring, methodology sessions)
EXPLORE

Paris Summer Internship

  • For students with a B2 level of French and up, at the end of the semester in Paris
  • Approximately 4 or more semesters of college-level French

Length of Stay

  • 8 weeks (mid-May – mid-July) (NO LONGER available summer 2024 due to the Olympic Games in Paris)
  • Must be preceded by an APA semester in Paris

Academics

  • Internship placement in a preferred industry
  • Full-time working hours each week (35-40) for two months
  • Internship and workplace preparation

Accommodations

  • Homestay
  • Student residence

Culture

Support

  • 24/7 support
    • Pre-departure assistance
    • On-site (emergency and health matters, housing, and logistical guidance)
    • Civil liability insurance
  • Public transportation pass
EXPLORE

French Antilles Summer

  • For students with a B1 French language level and up
  • Approximately 3-4 or more semesters of college-level French

Length of Stay

  • 6 weeks
  • 2-week extension

Academics

  • Choose 2 APA courses from the 5 offered, all taught in French
  • With 2-week extension: independent study
  • Orientation: 1 week with teambuilding activities
  • Weekly customized, individual language support

Accommodations

  • Homestay

Culture

  • Orientation: kayak tour of the mangroves, swim and hike the Caravelle Peninsula and Couleuvre Waterfall, and more
  • Cultural events throughout the program: concerts, theater, dance, cooking class, traditional weaving and braiding workshop
  • 4 excursions
  • Conversational Antillean Creole classes

Support

  • 24/7 support
    • Pre-departure (visa application assistance if necessary, pre-departure orientation, funding, etc.)
    • On-site (emergency and health matters, housing, and logistical guidance)
    • Academic (course specific tutoring, methodology sessions)
EXPLORE

Paris: Gap Year

  • For students with a B1 level of French and up
  • Approximately AP-level French

Length of Stay

  • Fall Semester: August 28 – December 14, 2024
  • Spring Semester: January 3 – May 11, 2025 (TBC)
  • Summer: TBA

Academics

  • Enroll in 4 common APA courses, all taught in French
  • Orientation: 3 days + 3 weeks of Intensive French Language instruction
  • Field trips and site visits organized for each course
  • Weekly customized, individual language support

Accommodations

  • Homestay
  • Student Residence

Culture

  • 4 cultural events
  • Day trip to Versailles
  • Weekend excursion to the Loire Valley

Support

  • 24/7 support
    • Pre-departure (passport application assistance, pre-departure orientation, funding, etc.)
    • On-site (emergency and health matters, housing, and logistical guidance)
    • Academic (course specific tutoring, methodology sessions)
EXPLORE

North Africa and France Comparative Studies:
Rabat Summer

  • For students with a B1 French language level and up
  • Approximately 3-4 or more semesters of college-level French

Length of Stay

  • 6 weeks (May 29 – July 14, 2024) (TBC)
  • 2-week extension (May 29 – July 28, 2024) (TBC)

Academics

  • Choose 2 APA courses, all taught in French
  • With 2-week extension: volunteer
  • Orientation: 3 days
  • Weekly customized, individual language support

Accommodations

  • Homestay

Culture

  • 2- 3 cultural events throughout the program: concert, theater, dance
  • Weekend excursion to Fez and Volubilis
  • Weekend excursion to Tangier and Chefchaouen
  • Workshops: calligraphy, music, ceramics painting
  • Weekly conversational Darija lessons

Support

  • 24/7 support
    • Pre-departure (visa application assistance if necessary, pre-departure orientation, funding, etc.)
    • On-site (emergency and health matters, housing, and logistical guidance)
    • Academic (course specific tutoring, methodology sessions)
EXPLORE

Intensive Arabic:
Rabat Summer

  • For students with an A2 Arabic language level and up
  • Approximately 2 or more semesters of college-level Arabic

Length of Stay

  • 6 weeks (May 29 – July 14, 2024) (TBC)
  • 2-week extension (May 29 – July 28, 2024) (TBC)

Academics

  • Follow 2 APA courses from those offered:
    • 1 Arabic language course according to level (Intermediate or Advanced)
    • 1 elective taught in Arabic
  • With 2-week extension: volunteer
  • Orientation: 3 days
  • Weekly customized, individual language support

Accommodations

  • Homestay

Culture

  • 2- 3 cultural events throughout the program: concert, theater, dance
  • Weekend excursion to Fez and Volubilis
  • Weekend excursion to Tangier and Chefchaouen
  • Workshops: calligraphy, music, ceramics painting
  • Weekly conversational Darija lessons

Support

  • 24/7 support
    • Pre-departure (visa application assistance if necessary, pre-departure orientation, funding, etc.)
    • On-site (emergency and health matters, housing, and logistical guidance)
    • Academic (course specific tutoring, methodology sessions)
EXPLORE

Paris: August Short-Term

  • For students with a B1 French language level and up
  • Approximately 3-4 or more semesters of college-level French

Length of Stay

  • 3 weeks (August 2- August 25, 2024) (Inquire on dates as changes or cancellation possible due to Summer 2024 Olympics in Paris)

Academics

  • Choose 1 APA course from the 3 offered – courses taught in French
    • B1 French speakers required to take Intermediate French Language
  • Weekend orientation
  • Weekly customized, individual language support

Accommodations

  • Student Residence

Culture

  • 2 outings
  • 2 performing arts shows
  • Walking tours of Parisian neighborhoods
  • Bateau-mouche: Seine River cruise

Support

  • 24/7 support
    • Pre-departure (pre-departure orientation, funding, etc.)
    • On-site (emergency and health matters, housing, and logistical guidance)
    • Academic (course tutoring)
  • Public transportation pass
EXPLORE