Eligibility
- 18 years of age or above
- Good academic and disciplinary standing at Penn State
- 2.75 cumulative GPA or better at the time of application
- Sophomore standing or above at the start of the program
Program Description
When most people think of Paris, they think of iconic sights like the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and the Arc de Triomphe. These sites are emblems of France’s history, but today Paris is one of the most important business, financial, and political centers of the world. It has one of the highest GDPs of any city, and is home to Fortune Global 500 companies that specialize in insurance, banking, and energy. As an important location in the European Union, Paris is also home to international agencies, such as the European Institute for Security Studies, the OECD, and UNESCO.
Enjoy all that Paris has to offer while studying Business and International Affairs in the City of Light. If your French is at a high level, you can also enroll in an internship, which includes time spent working at your placement and an academic seminar that helps you contextualize what you’re learning. This program offers IES Abroad courses taught by faculty from diverse backgrounds and disciplines. In addition to your IES Abroad courses, you can take English- and French-taught courses with French and international students at Novancia, a business school founded by the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Enjoy course-related trips to other cities, like Geneva. IES offers unique courses that explore international business, political science, communications, French language, and more through an in-depth and hands-on approach.
Dates
Academic Year: early September - early May
Fall: early September - mid December
Spring: mid January - early May
Refer to IES Abroad's website for the specific dates, if available.
Location
Paris will also be your classroom. Imagine studying for an exam at a café near the Eiffel Tower, taking in the beauty of the art at the Musée d’Orsay, or strolling along the River Seine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Everything you do will be part of your learning experience. Study and learn in one of the world's highest-regarded cities for culture and international business. With its grand boulevards, world-famous monuments, unparalleled literary and artistic history, and its simple joie de vivre, Paris is a city that will change you forever. The Paris of today is a multifaceted and multicultural metropolis that offers a doorway to the cultures of the world.
Get to know the City of Light on a personal scale—from the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame to your favorite boulangerie (bakery) or bookstore: this magnificent city will become your second home when you study in Paris. Walk or take the bus through the city’s vibrant streets, or hop on the Métro to get to work. Lunchtime means quiche or a sandwich au jambon in a nearby café, followed by an espresso or tea.
Education Abroad in Countries with a Penn State Restricted Travel Designation
In order to comply with Penn State’s International Travel Policy, students interested in studying abroad in countries that Penn State has designated as “restricted” for travel, a petition for a waiver must be submitted. Once a petition is complete, and if the student is approved for study on the program in question, the student may be asked to meet with the Director of Education Abroad and the petition will be reviewed by the Penn State International Restricted Travel Committee (IRTC). The necessary petition will be included in the online application process for this program. To see if your program is taking place in a restricted travel country, please visit the Penn State Global website.