
Normally when Americans study abroad there is a stereotype that they 'see the world' but really, they stay very tied to their program. With Central College Abroad, I felt like I really lived independently here. Yet there were always activities with Central, and the staff was just one phone call or e-mail away.
Location: Paris, France; Intensive language orientation Institut de Touraine in Tours, France
Affiliated institutions: Catholic Institute of Paris, the Sorbonne
Central College Abroad course work: Yes
Language prerequisite: None
Language of instruction: French
Service-learning options: Yes
Internships: Yes
Recent excursions: Cultural, artistic and historical sites in and around Paris, weekend excursions to the south of France, including Aix-en-Provence and Marseille, day trips to Chartres, Fontainebleau or Giverny.
Housing and meals: Foyers (residence halls) throughout Paris. Communal kitchens in halls for cooking meals, plus restaurants and cafés located near foyers. During intensive language orientation in Tours, students are in homestays, and all meals are provided.
Program dates: Fall semester, late-August – late-December (early option); late-August – late-January (traditional option). Spring semester, mid-January – late-May.
Average program size: 15 students
Staff to student ratio: 1:8