Fashion Studies in Paris
Fall 2024 Semester Paris

About the Program

While you don’t need us to tell you that Paris is the fashion capital of the world, we can show you how it earned and kept this title. The Fashion Studies in Paris program is designed to give you critical insight into the fashion industry in Paris and in Europe. Tour the luxury fashion district in Paris & some of its boutiques to learn how the experts leverage industry trends. Visit fashion & decorative arts museums with expert faculty to deepen your knowledge of fashion & art history. Analyze how digital marketing has transformed the fashion industry and how you communicate identity through what you wear. In this program you can choose to approach fashion from the perspective of business, art history, or communication studies, or a combination of these three angles. Additional elective courses focus on aspects of French culture and may fulfill a humanities or social science requirement. While French language skills are not required for this program you may enroll in a French-language course in order to more readily navigate the world’s fashion capital.

Program Structure

You'll enroll in 1 CEA CAPA core course, and 3-4 CEA CAPA courses. If you enroll in the early start semester option in the fall, you'll also take 1 CEA CAPA French language course. 

Courses meet for 45 contact hours/3 credits. You may earn 12-15 credits (up to 225 contact hours) per semester; if you choose the Early Start option in the Fall, you may earn 15-18 credits (up to 260 contact hours).

Typically, courses meet 1-3 times per week, Monday-Thursday. Early Start courses meet daily, Monday-Thursday. Active learning components required by your courses may be scheduled on Fridays. 

Prior to departure, you will select your preferred courses and take an online language placement exam. After arriving in Paris, you'll also take an oral language placement exam. You will be enrolled into courses based on their availability and the result of your placement exam. It is in your best interest to have multiple alternative courses approved by your home university prior to your departure due to course availabilities. To ensure that you receive credit for the language level you place into, have your home school pre-approve courses at several levels before you leave for France. Please consult with your academic advisor at your home university on credit pre-approval guidelines.

Excursions

Get out and explore! Excursions are offered for most semester, year, and summer programs*. Semester students are typically offered between two to three excursions and summer study students are typically offered between one to two excursions. You'll receive a calendar of excursions during orientation; here are a few day and overnight excursions we've offered in the past.

Bruges, Belgium

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Board the high-speed train Thalys and cross the northern border to discover the delights of the city of chocolates, waffles, and French fries. Observe the colorful architecture of the Bruges townhouses, climb to the top of the Belfry, and try to catch a glimpse of the North Sea. Listen to the rhythm of horse shoes as a horse-drawn carriage passes nearby. Discover the last brewery still operating in town and sample the local cuisine. End your journey relaxing in a tea room with the best whipped-cream-topped hot chocolate for the ultimate chocolate experience, before returning to Paris with a huge smile on your face…and a full tummy!

Avignon and Provence

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Hop on the high speed train to Avignon and visit the Palais des Papes, one of Europe’s largest, most important medieval Gothic buildings. We’ll take a private coach to discover the Alpilles of the Provence region on the way to Roussillon, a beautiful village on top of a hill that’s known for its ochre trail. Follow the trail among ochre cliffs, a landscape that inspired Cezanne and Van Gogh. The next day, we’ll visit one of the most beautiful villages in France: les Baux de Provence and its castle. On the way back to Avignon, we’ll visit the open air "Provencal" market in Saint Remy de Provence, and stop at a wine cellar to sample "vin de provence" and local delicacies.

Strasbourg, France and Fribourg, Germany

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Discover the eastern region of Alsace. The excursion starts with an in-depth walking tour of the center of Strasbourg, where you’ll immediately notice the strong Germanic influence in the architecture and way of life. We’ll enjoy a cruise down the Ill River that carries us through the Petite France district and to European Parliament, the central institution of European integration. The regions of Alsace and Lorraine have been the object of much conflict over the centuries, with France and Germany fighting for ownership. The mix of two cultures has produced delicious food such as "choucroute" or "flammekueche," and fine local beers you can sample during a traditional Alsatian meal. Before leaving, we’ll cross the border to Germany and enjoy a glimpse of the black forest and the city of Fribourg. You’ll also have the pleasure of tasting Alsatian wine in a small, family-run vineyard.

Giverny

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Whether you’re a novice or a confirmed fan of the Impressionist art movement, Giverny is a don’t-miss destination. The day begins with a visit to a museum dedicated to Monet's life and works. From here, take a trail leading through lush gardens where a lily pond, bamboo patches, and flowers bursting with color (a.k.a. the beautiful scenery that inspired many of Monet's paintings!) wait to be discovered. Meandering through Monet's gardens will surely work up your appetite; be sure to try some traditional dishes from Normandy. During your free time, you may opt to explore the Impressionist Museum, which displays works from several famous artists who flocked to this remarkable place to visit Monet throughout his life.