CSU in Paris

This program is a 2-credit course with 5 (five) on campus sessions plus an excursion to Paris over Spring Break, from Friday, March 6 to Sunday, March 15, 2026. It is designed to provide students of ART 375/UST 375 City and Civilization – Paris, taught by Prof. Bleeke, with an optional, one week field study trip to Paris AND to offer students who are studying French a short study abroad experience.  All participants in CSU in Paris will enroll in WLC 340 Field Study in Spring 2026 for 2 credits once accepted on the program. This course is taught in English and is co-directed by Profs. Bleeke and Jouan-Westlund. 

Students participating in the program will become familiar with the design of the city of Paris, its organization, various neighborhoods, and the many changes it has experienced over the centuries.  For students in ART/UST 375, the program will bring to life the city they are studying in the classroom and so will deepen their knowledge of it.  For French language students, the trip will expand their knowledge of French culture through direct experience. 

In addition to visiting major monuments and museums in Paris, the students will work in groups of 2-3 to research and present guided walking tours of specific neighborhoods.  After the trip, each student will develop a digital story on one site from their walking tour for the Paris: City and Civ Curatescape website (https://paris.cityandciv.com/).

Academics

Admitted students will enroll in the 2-credit course, WLC 340 which has a alternative schedule for the Spring 2026 semester. Mandatory class session are from 4:00-5:50pm on the following days:

Thursday, January 15 

Thursday, January  29

Thursday, February 12

Thursday, February  26

Thursday March 26

Tentative Paris Itinerary 

Friday, March 6, 2025 Group flight departure from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport
Saturday, March 7, 2026 Arrive in Paris, Visit Latin Quarter and Luxembourg Gardens
Sunday, March 8, 2026 Walking tour of Marais
Monday, March 9, 2026 Visit Louvre, neighborhoods
Tuesday, March 10, 2026 Visit Carnavalet Museum, Student guided tour no. 1, optional Montmartre
Wednesday, March 11, 2026 Arc de Triomphe, Champs- Élysées, and Tuileries, Student guided tour no. 2
Thursday, March 12, 2026 Student guided tours no. 3 and 4, Musée d'Orsay
Friday, March 13, 2026 Student guided tour no. 5, Pantheon and Paris Mosque
Saturday, March 14, 2026 Free day (must notify director of plans with contact info) 
Sunday, March 15, 2026 Group flight home to Cleveland
 

Eligibility 

Applicants must meet the following criteria: 

• be in good standing*
• relevant experience or coursework
• completed at least one semester at CSU
• conversation with a faculty co-director about the rigors and expectations of the program (can be completed after submitting an application)
   

*Good standing means
- Cumulative GPA above a 2.0 (undergraduates)
- No financial holds in CampusNet
- No outstanding or egregious sanctions resulting from adjudication of an infraction(s) against the CSU Student Code of Conduct

Please note: No prior French language experience is required 

Costs and Program Fee

The estimated program fee of $3,500 includes:

• round-trip group airfare
• 8 nights shared double-room at the hostel FIAP,
• breakfasts and dinners when in Paris at the FIAP
• airport ground transfers by van
• museum entrance pass
• metro passes
• other group excursions
   

The fee does not include tuition for the 2 credits of required enrollment in WLC 340 for Spring 2026 nor $400- $500 estimated cost for daily lunches, souvenir shopping, personal expenses or travel, or visa/ passport expenses. 

Application

Undergraduate students in good standing apply through the on-line application form and pay the $250 program fee deposit in ShopNet.  Applications are due no later Monday, November 17, 2025. Application decisions will be announced via email in late November/early December. 

Note on acceptance and withdrawals

Once accepted as a participant on a CSU faculty-led study abroad program, a student becomes financially and academically responsible to the group.  The remaining program fee (minus the $250 application deposit) is assessed to each participant's CSU student account via CampusNet.  There are no voluntary withdrawals as each student is needed to make up the group and cover the program expenses.

Once admitted on a faculty-led program, there will no refund of any of any kind for a withdrawal.  Expenses begin being paid out on behalf of the group as soon as a program is considered a "go" and the application decisions are announced.  If an applicant is unsure about making a financial and/or academic commitment to a faculty-led program, doubts should be cleared up prior to applying. 

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Students may use Spring 2026 financial aid to pay for the remainder of the program fee, after the initial $250 program deposit is made. Because of this increased cost of attendance for the semester,  you may be eligible for additional financial aid. Please inquire with All-in-One (BH 116). 

1. OIC short-term study abroad program scholarship is for undergraduate, Ohio residents with at least a 2.5 GPA. The deadline is Nov 15.
2. CISP General Education Away scholarship is due October 1.  
3. If majoring in a program within the College of Arts and Sciences, there is Special Opportunities Funding.

Billing 

The $3,500 program fee is broken down into 2 payments:

$250 payment due with application by Nov. 17 (see online application for instructions on how to make this payment) via ShopNet 
$3250 added to student's CSU CampusNet account upon acceptance

The remainder of the program fee will be added to students' CampusNet accounts and is due at the start of the Spring semester.  Joining the budget payment plan for the spring semester is also an option. If payment or payment arrangements are not made before the start of the spring semester,  the student may be removed from the program but will still be responsible for the entire program fee. See note on acceptance and withdrawals. 

Health, Safety, and Insurance 

For the health and safety of the entire CSU community, all travel will comply with CDC guidelines and any in-country and/or program-specific requirements.

For general information on pre-planning considerations including insurance please visit our health and safety resource page.  We urge every student to purchase an international accident and sickness insurance or check their current health insurance policy has international coverage.  Cancel for Any Reason (CFR) or travel insurance is also something to consider acquiring. 

Passports and Visas

All participants will be required to carry a valid passport with an expiration date at least 6 months beyond the end of the program. Presently, U.S. passport processing times are running 4-6 weeks for standard processing or 2-3 weeks with expedited processing (extra $60). It is the applicant's responsibility to verify their passport validity and/or apply for one in time to purchase airline tickets for travel (passport needed by January 5, 2026). Please contact the CISP for assistance. 

If you are not a United States citizen (even if you are a Permanent Resident), you may need a visa to enter France. Visit the Embassy of France's website to determine if you need a Schengen visa; If you have any questions regarding visas, please contact the CISP.  At the time of this posting, U.S. citizens do not need a visa to enter France for this 9- day program.

Contacts

Dr. Marian Bleeke, PhD
Professor of Art History, Department of Art and Design 
Director of Women's and Gender Studies
m.bleeke@csuohio.edu

Annie Jouan-Westlund, PhD
Professor of French
Chair-Department of World Languages, Literatures & Cultures
French Program Coordinator
(216) 523-7175
a.jouanwestlund@csuohio.edu

Julie Good (schedule an appointment via Bookings or through Starfish Service: Education Away)
Center for International Services and Programs (CISP)
216-523-7531
j.a.good88@csuohio.edu