I love Paris! April 05, 2026

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

My professor for the Business of Fashion at Parsons Paris was wonderful. The professor filled class time with lectures, group project presentations, and field trips. I learned a lot over the three weeks in an engaging and high quality learning environment. The professor owns a fashion brand with a store in Paris, so he would often teach from real world experience and the students got to explore his store and see how the material from class was applied in the real world. The class was rigorous, but was very manageable to balance. Class was out at noon, so I would have every evening to explore Paris and make sure I got the assignment done for class the next day. As a student of Parsons Paris we had access to all resources a typical student would, including the technology lab.

On-site administration of your program

API was very present if we needed them. I was given contact information for multiple API program staff in case of emergencies. The API housing was in a building connected to the API office as well. The program was immersed into Parsons Paris, so all faculty and we interacted with the Dean of the college often. We were truly Parsons Paris students for 3 weeks and were supported as such.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The only issue I had with housing was the random roommates. I paid for a two person room and that is what I had. The girls were not the friendliness. The apartment was wonderful though, in a location near good metro lines and a cute neighborhood in the 8th. We had air-conditioning and multiple showers. Only two toilets though, but part of the Parisian charm. Access to fast internet, kitchen, and television. All Parsons Paris students lived in apartments within the same building, so we were all upstairs or downstairs from each other, kinda dorm vibes but a legit Paris apartment which was beautiful.

The program did not supply food unless on excursions. Food was fine, sometimes can be pricey in Paris, so you have to pick and choose. Food on excursions was appropriate and I did not have any problems. We would be asked to pick from a small selection of dishes for these occasions. Provided food included a restaurant near Parsons Paris, a restaurant in Giverny, and charcuterie in Versailles. We also had a cheese tasting event at Parsons Paris after class one day.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt very integrated into Paris and had nothing but great experiences with every local I talked with. The API team was very kind and they became my main point of friendship. The girls in the program seemed to want a different experience from their time in Paris than I did, so I was often doing my own thing in Paris by myself, which honestly led me to fun experiences and experiences with locals I probably wouldn't have had with the other study abroad students.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I did not have any health problems, but API briefed us on what to do if something occurred such as when to go to a hospital and when to go to a pharmacy. I felt supported.

Overall, I think Paris was safe. The weekend we arrived there was a very important football match and all of Paris did go crazy, watching the game in the streets, shooting off fireworks, and vandalizing the city. Police did shut down roads near Champs Élysées and some of my roommates were not smart and went over their on electric bikes and said they got tear gassed. Everything from that night got cleaned up by the end of the weekend. So if you were smart, Paris is safe, but if you get tangled up in a social "uprising" there could be some problems. I felt safe walking around by myself at night and on trains. I did not have any experiences with pick picketers, but I did try to look like a local and not stand out. The housing and Parsons Paris campus are in two very safe, very nice areas - honestly the best areas to be in Paris.

I loved my time in Paris with Parsons Paris and API. API made sure we were educated on safety and Paris culture and planned excursions for us to see around Paris, Giverny, and Versailles. I loved my experience at Parsons Paris from the facility, location, and staff. I would most definitely study at Parsons Paris again or for graduate school if they offered more programs that align with my academic goals.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

I was primarily only spending money on food, the course did not require any expenses but I did buy myself a notebook. Bakeries and coffee shops were affordable, I could get breakfast for under five USD. Also grocery shopping helped me save money for some meals that I cooked at the API apartment. I did eat out most days though. I used the metro only a few times, and had success with unlimited day passes or buying only a few passes. I walked to and from school, so majority of expenses were food. Not as expensive as when I was in London.

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• Apartment

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• Americans

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• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

• Parsons Paris Campus
• Museums
• Walking to class from the Apartment

• Social Dynamics amongst the students/in dorms

The Academic or Linguist