Introduction
The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Study Abroad Center offers undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to study for the fall and/or spring semesters in Paris, France. This website at the moment offers only information regarding the Cours de Civilisation Française de la Sorbonne (CCFS). Information on the other two universities listed below is forthcoming.
***COMING SOON***
Université Paris Dauphine-PSL is a Grande École and public institution of higher education and research. Courses are taught in English and French in the areas of management, finance, business, economics, law, social sciences, mathematics, computer science, journalism, physics and chemistry
Institut Catholique de Paris offers nearly 150 courses taught in English in the areas of law, economics and social sciences, and liberal arts.
The period of study is August through December for the Fall semester and January through May for the Spring semester for CCFS.
Graduate students are welcome to take undergraduate level French coursework.
Host Institution
The UHM Semester in Paris Study Abroad program is offered in partnership with Cours de Civilisation Française de la Sorbonne.
CURRICULUM
Curriculum
The UHM Semester in Paris program provides students an opportunity to fulfill UHM major, minor, elective, focus, foundations, diversification and foreign language requirements for graduation. UHM students may take General French Language courses for 12 UHM credits or General French for 12 credits and a 3-credit content courses in French in the areas of art history, literature or political science for a total of 15 UHM credits. Students on the program must be enrolled full-time.
The UHM Study Abroad Center appoints a designated UHM Resident Director when appropriate. The Resident Director teaches two classes, oversees students’ academic progress and mentors all participants. All students are required to take one of the two UHM Resident Director’s classes (when offered). The subjects vary each semester according to the expertise of the UHM professor.
COURSE OFFERINGS
Sorbonne: In order to take intensive French language courses at the Sorbonne, students will be tested for language proficiency upon arrival in Paris to ensure placement at the appropriate level. Students will study language, phonetics, conversation, and civilization in French. Depending upon placement results, students may be eligible to enroll in conférences, or seminars in areas such as French art history, civilization, geography, history, literature, and politics. Students will take at least one Resident director course (when offered), and opt between taking 12 credits (Sorbonne S10; 12 hours) of Language and Phonetics, or 15 credits (Sorbonne S20; 20 hours) of Language, Phonetics, and Civilization.
Click here for Semester in Paris course information. Course offerings are subject to availability and may change without prior notice.
FACULTY RESIDENT DIRECTOR
All students are required to take one of the two UHM Resident Director’s classes.
Spring 2025: N/A
Courses taken at Sorbonne will appear on UHM transcripts as UHM credits.
Last updated Jul. 2024
LOCATION
Location
Paris, capital of France and home to over eight million people, has long been known as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Famous for its cuisine, fashion, architecture, museums, parks, boutiques, and rich intellectual and cultural life, it is also a city of contrasts between the ancient and the modern; the quaint and the high-tech. The Cours de civilisation Française de la Sorbonne program is located in its own beautifully renovated building in the seventh arrondissement, not far from the French National Assembly building and the Musée d’Orsay.
The sophisticated and reliable French rail system SNCF (Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Français) makes Paris a very convenient hub from which to travel to other locations in France and elsewhere in Europe. The transportation company RATP (Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens) provides connections within metropolitan Paris, as well as to suburban areas, through an extensive network of trains, subways, buses, and trams.
HOUSING
Housing
Students live with French host families in single rooms and share facilities with the family. Partial meals with the family are provided for the duration of the program. A major value of the homestay is that it provides students with the opportunity to closely interact with and learn from the host country nationals. In addition to taking students beyond the public face of the French people, the everyday speaking and hearing of French in a natural setting facilitates students’ understanding of the culture and enhances language learning.
EXCURSIONS
Excursions & Extra-Curricular Activities
There may be various excursions during the in-country orientation. RD’s may also have excursions as part of their courses.
Both the French Civilization and the Art History clubs have visits to relevant sites and museums in Paris, which may include the Louvre, Maillol, Orsay, Picasso, Rodin, Quai Branly, Jacquemart-André. Through the Student Government Association, students can participate in various social events and weekend trips to other parts of Europe. Additionally, sports such as basketball, soccer, volleyball, rugby, and handball are offered.
IN-COUNTRY ORIENTATION
A comprehensive, mandatory orientation is provided to all incoming first-time students. Led by a CCFS staff, the on-site orientation introduces Paris life, school, accommodations, money, transportation, personal safety issues, etc.
Photos
Please view our Photo Albums by clicking here.
FINANCES
Program Cost
| Fall 2024 | CCFS-Sorbonne S10 (12 hours) | CCFS-Sorbonne 20 (20 hours) |
| Single Homestay | $12,473 | $13,548 |
| Spring 2025 | CCFS-Sorbonne S10 (12 hours) | CCFS-Sorbonne 20 (20 hours) |
| Single Homestay | $12,941 | $14,041 |
Please see the budget sheet for more information.
Cost includes Univ. of Paris-Sorbonne tuition, homestay accommodation, health insurance, student visa, textbooks, museum visits, meals, airport pick-up, métro pass, laundry, UHM Study Abroad and student visa fees.
Round-trip airfare between Honolulu and Paris is not included; students have the option of taking the flight arranged by Third Eye Travel or making their own travel arrangements. Travel to obtain a student visa at a service center on the Mainland is an additional expense.
FINANCIAL AID
FOR UHM STUDENTS ONLY: In order to receive financial aid, please ensure that either: a) you are receiving financial aid during the current semester, or b) that you complete the Financial Aid application during the current semester. www.hawaii.edu/fas
NON-UHM STUDENTS (those attending other colleges and universities during the regular school year) must apply for financial aid at their home institutions
SCHOLARSHIPS
See the Money Matters page for a list of possible scholarships.
STUDENT VISA
Students participating in the UHM Semester in Paris program must obtain a student visa prior to arriving in France.
Click here for information regarding COVID-19 from CampusFrance.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Admission Requirements
Students are eligible to study abroad as early as the second semester of their Freshman year or later.
The program is primarily designed for undergraduate students who are interested in studying in Paris with specific academic interests. All candidates must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0, strong English writing skills, absolute fluency in English, and successful completion of course pre-requisites. However, students with a lower GPA may be considered. Non-native English-speaking students must have taken the TOEFL exam within the last two years and earned a composite score of 600+ or have taken the UHM ELI placement exam.
Admission to the program is selective. All applicants for the program will be judged on their academic performance, reasons for wishing to attend the program, flexibility, and sensitivity to other cultures, and ability to adjust to a new cultural setting.
Immediately upon acceptance to the program, students are required to pay a $500.00 non-refundable initial payment to ensure a place in the program. The initial payment will be applied toward the cost of the program.
Please note that students accepted to the program are required to attend three mandatory pre-departure class sessions totaling 12 hours. Failure to attend will result in students being withdrawn from the program.
Application
A completed Study Abroad Center application and three academic references must be received by the Study Abroad Center to receive consideration.
Students from outside the UH System must also submit official transcripts from every college attended.
The Study Abroad Center is closed on weekends, and Federal and State holidays.
PROGRAM DATES
- Fall 2024: Sep. 13 – Dec. 21
- Spring 2025: Jan. 18 – May 10 (tentative)
- Fall 2025: TBD
DEADLINES
- Fall 2025: Tuesday, Apr. 1, 2025, 4:00pm HST
- Spring 2026: Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025, 4:00pm HST
DETAILS
Majors: Open to all majors
Most suitable for: French language and culture
INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS
- TBD
ADVISING
Schedule an Appointment with a Study Abroad Advisor on STAR Balance.