Duke in Paris
A 6-WEEK SUMMER FRENCH LANGUAGE & CULTURE PROGRAM
Study French culture, literature, and language
Apply NowAs a “museum without walls,” Paris has sparked the imagination of artists, writers, and intellectuals for centuries. With Duke in Paris, participants will explore this fascination firsthand. Our uniquely selected activities and excursions (part of the immersive experience) allow participants to gain a rare insight into the Parisian cultural landscape. From observing the intersections between past and present, norms and trends, to exploring specific social and urban contexts that have fostered unique cultural productions, students will trace the genealogy of Paris as a global and ever-transforming city.
Focused on experiential learning, our two advanced classes make use of the French capital as an extension of the classroom and feature a rich array of on-site learning. Museums, theaters, cafés, and quartiers will be explored alongside their literary and artistic renditions. To better appreciate the city and its diverse population, students will actively engage with cultural institutions, local organizations, and guest speakers as they investigate the dynamic and vibrant social fabric that constitutes contemporary Paris.
Program Fast Facts
Location: Paris, France
Term: Summer I
Dates: May 15, 2023 - June 28, 2023
Application Deadline: Extended to February 15th
Academic Theme(s): French Language, Culture, and Literature
Credit Type: Duke Credit
Eligibility: Classes will be taught exclusively in French. Students must have at least a B average in French and be qualified to take 300 level French courses. Students may have fulfilled this requirement either through course work at the college level or through advanced placement testing. Students must register for both courses. Non-Duke students are welcome to apply.
Duke Affiliation: Duke Department of Romance Studies
Housing: Homestay
Primary Contact: Christelle Gonthier
ACADEMICS
You will enroll in two courses, each for one credit. Classes will be taught exclusively in French. Students must register for both courses. No pass/fail option or auditing is permitted for either course.
Students must have at least a B average in French and be qualified to take 300 level French courses. Students may have fulfilled this requirement either through course work at the college level or through advanced placement testing.
FRENCH 345A
Aspects of Contemporary French Culture
(CCI, CZ, FL) 1.0 Credit
Instructor: Professor Christelle Gonthier
This course is an exploration of the idea of a French “je ne sais quoi” and some of the social, cultural, and literary determinants of that perception. In order to better understand this French peculiarity, we will establish a conversation between today’s France and the eighteenth-century France through a series of texts, videos, sociological documents, as well as visits to museums and cafés. Discussion topics will include sociability, the use of language, the art of conversation, culinary trends, aesthetic norms as well as the luxury industry. In the manner of 18th century salons, this course will encourage critical analysis and an exchange of ideas. We will therefore study the art of oral and written expression in order to give students the tools to communicate with precision and ease. Course taught in French.
FRENCH 346AS
Paris, Capital of Modernity: Visions of the City from Surrealism to the Present
(ALP, CCI, FL) 1.0 Credit
Instructor: Prof. Anne-Gaelle Saliot
This course will investigate the representations and images of Paris in French and Francophone literature and cinema from the interwar years to the present days. During our exploration of the material and imaginary geography of Paris, we will make excursions into the interstitial spaces of the city, from the hidden arcades to the "banlieue parisienne," across its "quartiers," and through the "non-lieux" of modernity. Our "traversée de Paris" will also include films and photographs. Course taught in French.
Attendance is required at all classes, excursions, and any other planned outings.
Note: We encourage Duke in Paris students to think of themselves not as tourists, but as residents of the city. To improve both their cultural and linguistic fluency, students will sign a “language pledge” at the beginning of the program.
EXCURSIONS
You will enjoy a great number of excursions during your stay. They range from museum visits to a cooking class, from a concert at the famous Philharmonie de Paris to the visit of a national newspaper. As they are an integral part to your cultural experience, attendance to all excursions is compulsory.
You will also get the chance to experience different regions of France as the program includes a 3-day excursion to Provence, and a 2-day trip to Normandy/Britany. During these weekend excursions, all participants will be staying at a hotel (double/triple/quad rooms). Breakfasts, visits and transportation are included.
HOUSING & MEALS
All students will live with French families, an essential cultural and linguistic immersion experience that will greatly enrich their time abroad. All homes are located within Paris proper, are equipped with internet access, and are near metro lines. To help us find the homestay that best matches each participant’s needs, students will be asked to specify the degree to which they would like to interact with their host family. If, for any reason, a student feels uncomfortable or finds that the match is not quite right, the director will work to facilitate communication, mediate, and, if necessary, re-locate the student. Exact housing placements will be given to participants upon arrival.
Homestays include breakfast and a limited number of meals per week.
Classes will be held near the centrally located Bastille (89, rue du Faubourg Saint Antoine), where students will find countless restaurants, shops and entertainment.
The program will provide a Paris transit pass to each participant, valid on bus and métro for the duration of the program.
Costs
Estimates are based on previous years’ programs and the current exchange rate. All costs are subject to change.
Summer 2023
Duke Students | Non-Duke Students | |
---|---|---|
Tuition | $5,410 | $5,410 |
Program Fee | $6,000 | $6,000 |
Transcript Fee | N/A | $120 |
Other Costs | Other Costs | Other Costs |
TOTAL (Estimated) | $16,410 | $16,530 |
Explanation of Costs
The program fee for this program includes:
- Accommodations
- Some meals
- International SOS coverage
- Program-sponsored activities and excursions
- Orientation program
Not Included in Program Fee
Use the following list to assist with budgeting for expenses outside the program fee. This list contains common examples but should not be considered exhaustive.
The program fee does not include:
- Airfare
- Airport transportation to/from program site
- On-site accident and health insurance policy
- Out-of-pocket medical expenses
- Immunizations
- Visa and/or residency permit (if needed, see note below)
- Passport
- Textbooks and class materials
- Internet usage
- Mobile phone
- Laundry
- Independent travel and entertainment
- Items of a personal nature
- Incidentals
U.S. citizens do not need a visa for this program. However, if you are not a U.S. citizen, you may need a visa. Please be sure to research the cost of obtaining a visa for Italy, including any required travel to a consulate or embassy.
If you receive financial aid, and need assistance with travel costs, please contact your financial aid counselor.
Personal expenses can fluctuate greatly depending upon habits and preferences of the individual. It’s also wise to budget for unexpected expenses such as medical emergencies. You can use a cost-of-living comparison tool to get an idea of what daily life costs in the program host location.
Step 1: Upon acceptance to the program, you must submit the Summer Participation Agreement found in your MyExperientialEd application to confirm your enrollment. A parent/guardian’s co-signature is required. This form takes the place of a deposit.
NOTE: If you withdraw after March 15, you will be charged a cancellation fee for voluntary withdrawal. Fees range from $1,500-2,000.
Step 2: Summer invoices will be sent via email to your Duke email address and home email address. Remit payment to the Bursar per due date and address indicated on your online statement. Consult the Duke Bursar's office billing schedule for payment due dates.
Financial Aid
Duke students receiving institutional need-based grant aid are eligible for aid for this program; work-study funds are converted to grants. Students are individually responsible for making the necessary arrangements with the Karsh Office of Undergraduate Financial Support and the Duke Bursar’s Office.
Non-Duke students are not eligible to receive financial aid at Duke and should contact their home institutions for financial aid information.
Scholarships
This program offers the following scholarship opportunities:
DATES
Attendance is required at all classes, excursions, and group events. Given the intense nature of this program, late arrival and/or early departure is not permitted.
- Arrival: May 15, 2023
- Departure: June 28, 2023
Flights
You will make your own travel arrangements to and from the program site. You are expected to arrive on the arrival date cited above, which usually means departing the U.S. one day prior. Once you have a flight itinerary, log in to MyExperientialEd to update your travel registry.
Housing Before/After
You will need to make your own housing arrangements if you will be arriving before the program start date or leaving later than the program end date.
VISA & PASSPORT
VISA
No visa is required of U.S. citizens to participate in this program. Non-U.S. citizens should pay special attention to the visa requirements for their specific citizenship by contacting the country embassy to find out if any visa restrictions are in effect.
PASSPORT
All participants must have a valid passport. Make sure your passport has at least six months of validity beyond the program end date to avoid unintended disruptions. For instructions on obtaining or renewing your U.S. passport, visit passports.state.gov.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT IDENTITY CARD
An International Student Identity Card (ISIC) is optional. ISIC is the only internationally recognized form of student ID, endorsed by UNESCO. If purchased in the U.S., the card also carries with it a supplemental insurance policy, which can prove to be very helpful in the event of serious injury. You may purchase this card through www.myisic.com. Processing of the card takes between 4-15 days.
Program Faculty & Staff
Program faculty director(s) can assist with questions related to program academics, admissions, on-site needs, etc. For all other inquiries, please contact the GEO representative listed.


ADMISSIONS
Deadline: Extended to February 15th
This program has rolling admission. Applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis until the program fills; after that, qualified students are added to a waitlist and notified of openings. Applications must be received by the deadline to be considered. Application opens November 1.
Priority: Priority is given to applicants who apply early and meet the prerequisites.
Minimum GPA: There is no minimum GPA.
Non-Duke students: Non-Duke students are welcome to apply for this program. You must be a degree-seeking student in good standing at an accredited college or university. Consult your university’s registrar and/or study away advisor for assistance with transfer credit. Students who are not matriculated at a college or university are not eligible to participate in Duke’s study away programs.
GEO policy for graduating seniors who wish to apply for a Duke summer study abroad/away program:
Students must be active, matriculated students in order to participate in any Duke-in summer programs, including Duke’s domestic summer programs. All program courses must be taken for graded credit. If seniors plan to graduate in May of the year they plan to study abroad in the summer, they will not be eligible to participate on any of our summer programs unless they receive approval from their academic dean at Duke to delay their graduation until after the summer program has ended.
Non-Duke students planning to graduate in May in the year they plan to study abroad in the summer must provide approval to delay their graduation until after the summer program has ended from the appropriate official at their home institution. Such approval must be furnished in writing to GEO before the student will be allowed to participate in the summer program. This approval may be sent via email to the appropriate program assistant at GEO.
Duke students who defer their graduation to participate in study abroad should consult with their financial aid advisor in the Duke Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid to determine whether they are eligible for a summer aid package and/or a GEO summer scholarship.
APPLY
Start your application early to ensure that it is complete by the deadline! Incomplete applications will not be forwarded to the program directors for consideration.
Submit the following items using MyExperientialEd:
- Online application
- Official transcript(s) from all colleges and universities attended. First-year students should wait for fall semester grades to be posted before submitting their transcript.
- Personal statement, no longer than one page, explaining why you would like to participate on this program
- One language recommendation, focusing on your linguistic and academic abilities. Letters from high school teachers will not be accepted.