Study Abroad in Paris: Student Life

Visas

The French government requires students to possess a visa valid for their period of study in France. Multiple-entry visas must be obtained before departure from the U.S. AIFS will provide the necessary details to help you secure the visa.

AIFS Student Center

The AIFS office is located within walking distance of the Sorbonne and has a small study area and a student computer lab. The lab is open during office hours.

AIFS support staff

The Resident Director has overall responsibility for the program. AIFS also has other staff to assist the Director in implementing all aspects of the program, to organize the cultural activities and to liaise with the Sorbonne, students' host families and AIFS headquarters in London and the U.S.

Cultural activities

The Resident Director and staff encourage students to benefit from the rich and varied cultural offerings of France. Examples of activities covered by the fee include: a sightseeing tour of Paris, a Bateaux Mouches ride on the Seine, day trips to Chartres, Giverny, Vaux-le-Vicomte, Versailles, visits to the Musée Rodin and Musée de L’Orangerie, Saint Chapelle Conciergerie and concert, theater and ballet performances. Students will be offered the chance to participate in a walking tour of the literary Left Bank to discover where writers such as Hemingway, Wilde, Orwell and Joyce lived and worked. Non-credit cultural enrichment courses in French Cuisine and Wine Appreciation are also offered (at an additional fee).

Transportation

The Paris metro is one of the most efficient and convenient public transportation systems in the world. It has 14 lines connecting every corner of the city. A monthly pass for approximately 60 euros gives students unlimited access to the metro and bus system. Most students commute 30 to 45 minutes between home and the University, which is normal in Paris.