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Programs : Brochure

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  • Locations: Paris, France
  • Program Terms: Academic Year, Fall, Spring
  • Program Sponsor: Hollins University 
Dates / Deadlines:
Dates / Deadlines:
Term Year App Deadline Decision Date Start Date End Date
Spring 2025 10/15/2024 ** Rolling Admission TBA TBA
Fall 2025 03/15/2025 ** Rolling Admission TBA TBA

** Indicates rolling admission application process. Applicants will be immediately notified of acceptance into this program and be able to complete post-decision materials prior to the term's application deadline.
Fact Sheet:
Fact Sheet:
Areas of Study: Art History, Business, Economics, Film, Fine Art, French, History, International Studies, Internships, Political Science, Theater/Drama Click here for a definition of this term Minimum Undergraduate GPA: 2.5
Click here for a definition of this term Language of Instruction: English, French Click here for a definition of this term Housing Options: Home Stay
Program Type: Provider
Program Description:

In Paris, you'll walk the walk and talk the talk.

"Never has the phrase 'hands-on learning' been more appropriate. Studying the paintings and then seeing the originals in museums, studying the plays and then attending the performances, studying the architecture in the actual buildings -- it was a learning experience I'll never forget."

Meredith Pierce Hunter, Hollins Abroad Paris

  Eiffel Tower
The very best way to learn to understand a language and culture is to live with and learn from native speakers. That's the idea behind the design of Hollins Abroad Paris. All faculty, as well as the on-site director, are native French speakers, and all students live with Parisian hosts. In class, on field trips, and relaxing at home, you'll polish your conversational French and learn to appreciate French culture by being part of it. Paris is an exciting city that offers an amazing array of resources and events for students of all interests.

Hollins Abroad Paris was one of the first study abroad programs for U.S. students and celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2015. The program's office and classroom space are at Reid Hall (which houses a number of study abroad programs) in the lively Montparnasse district near the Luxembourg Gardens. Our resident director, a native of Paris, serves as the academic and cultural advisor to all Hollins Abroad students. She also has an assistant who arranges group excursions to such destinations as Normandy, Burgundy, the Loire Valley, and southern France, to introduce you to some of the many beautiful regions of the country.

Important Documents: 

Paris Pre-Departure Guide
Paris Academic Calendar 2017/2018

Academics

Hollins Abroad-Paris Courses  are taught by faculty from the Sorbonne and other distinguished French universities. Paris will become your classroom, as courses are designed to take advantage of the city's rich cultural heritage by incorporating frequent field trips to world-famous theatres, museums, galleries, and historical and architectural landmarks--from Notre Dame and the Opéra Bastille to the Grande Bibliothèque and Centre Pompidou.

Courses are included in the Hollins academic catalog, and may be applied to majors, minors, and general education requirements without special approval.  Hollins Abroad courses are taken with fellow Hollins Abroad program participants (including students from other American universities). Students with advanced French skills may enroll in a class or two at one of our Parisian partner universities. Additionally, interested students are sometimes permitted to complete a credit-bearing internship while in Paris.

Track Options

  • Full Immersion Track: For students with a more advanced level of French who are seeking a fully immersive program.

    Pre-requisite: Four semesters of college-level French (or the equivalent, aka through the intermediate level) with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.

    Students take four courses in French led by Hollins Abroad Paris faculty at our Reid Hall site center. Students with a high enough level of French may substitute one or two Hollins courses with advanced courses in French in a variety of subject areas at one of our Parisian partner universities. Students spending a year abroad in the full-immersion track may apply for an internship in the second semester. 
     
  • Dual Language Track: For students with a beginning to intermediate level of French, who are typically majoring in other disciplines.

    Pre-requisite: One year of college-level French (or the equivalent, aka through the beginner level) with a cumulative GPA and French GPA of at least 2.5.

    Students take two mandatory core courses taught by Hollins Abroad Paris faculty (Accelerated Intermediate French and French Culture & Society) and two other content courses taught in English in areas such as business, international studies, art history, fine arts, and fashion at partner institutions. Those partner institutions include: American Business School of Paris, Mod'Art and Institut Catholique
          Please consult the following: Fall 2018 Content Courses Taught in English at Partner Universities.pdf

Other Program Features

  • Full-time on-site director
  • Four-day orientation program in Paris with excursions
  • Two weekend excursions (such as Loire Valley, Burgundy, Normandy)
  • A four-day field trip each term (Normandy in fall, southern France in spring)
  • Independent studies in dance, voice, studio art, or photography (and possibly other fields) for students majoring in those areas (strong French skills required)
 
Paris

Housing and Meals
All Hollins Abroad-Paris students live with French hosts to experience the French way of life and practice their conversational French. Students have their own keys, are in single rooms, and are treated as independent adults. Homestays are in the residential areas of Paris with convenient connections on public transportation to Reid Hall. The program director matches students with hosts based on information provided by students on the housing questionnaire in the online application. All hosts are carefully screened by the program director and most of the French hosts have been with Hollins Abroad for many years, receiving excellent student evaluations. (Occasionally new host families are added, as the need arises.)

French hosts provide all breakfasts and five dinners per week. Students receive a stipend to cover the costs of all lunches and the remaining dinners.

 

What is Covered by the Comprehensive Fee

  • Tuition
  • All course-related field trips except theatre tickets
  • Accommodation
  • All meals
  • Comprehensive health insurance while abroad
  • Pass for the Paris metro and bus system
  • Orientation program on the Hollins campus and in Paris
  • A four-day field trip (transportation, accommodations, some meals, guided tours)
  • Two weekend excursions (transportation, accommodations, some meals, guided tours)
  • Internet access (wireless and program computers) at Reid Hall
  • Program handbook and other materials

What is NOT Covered by the Comprehensive Fee

  • Books (minimal)
  • Roundtrip airfare
  • Tickets to required performances for the French Theatre course
  • Local airport transportation
  • Personal expenses, including independent travel
  • Room and board during scheduled program breaks
  • Mandatory local cell phone

Financial Aid Awards Available for Hollins Students

Please see the "Financing Study Abroad" tab on the left-hand side of this site and select "For Hollins Students" for more information.

Financial Aid Awards Available for Visiting Students

Please see the "Financing Study Abroad" tab on the left-hand side of this site and select "For Visiting Students" for more information.

Eligibility

Hollins Abroad-Paris is open to Hollins students as well as students from other U.S. colleges and universities.

Minimum requirements are:

  • Sophomore, junior, or senior during time abroad
  • Cumulative GPA : Immersion Track - 3.0, Dual Language- 2.5
  • At least one French course in the two semesters prior to enrollment in Hollins Abroad 
  • A faculty recommendation (part of application)
  • An assessment of your French language skills by your most recent French professor
  • No major disciplinary infractions
Notre Dame Cathedral

** Please note that rolling admission only applies to visiting students on this program!

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