Hollins University: Paris - Hollins in Paris

In Paris, you'll walk the walk. And talk the talk! 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 French, 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 fifty-fifth anniversary. The program's office and classroom space are at Reid Hall (which houses a number of study abroad programs) in the Montparnasse area near the Luxembourg Gardens. Our resident director, a native of Paris, serves as academic and cultural advisor to all Hollins Abroad students. She also has an assistant (a former study abroad student in Paris herself) who arranges group excursions to Normandy, Burgundy, the Loire Valley, and southern France to introduce you to some of the many beautiful regions of the country. ACADEMICS: The program offers French language courses at the intermediate and advanced level as well as courses focusing on French culture and society. Classes are generally small and seminar-style. Assignments and grading are similar to those at Hollins but the perspective and expectations of faculty will be somewhat different, due to their French academic training. OTHER PROGRAM FEATURES: - Full-time on-site director - Four-day orientation program in Paris with excursions - Two weekend excursions (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) ELIGIBILITY: Hollins Abroad-Paris is open to Hollins students as well as students from other U.S. colleges and universities, with at least sophomore or junior status. Most terms, the majority of students come from colleges other than Hollins, including Arcadia University, Davidson College, Rollins College, the University of Virginia, Wake Forest University, and many others.