Paris, France: Language, Literature and the Arts

Summary

*** Info Session: Thursday, February 6, 4-5 p.m. Register here ***

Dive headfirst into French language and culture in Paris, one of the most beautiful and storied cities in the world! This program is designed to immerse students in the language and day-to-day rhythms of French culture. You will explore the past and present of France, from its rich history to its multicultural present, and examine what it means to be “Parisian” through the diverse perspectives of the communities that call Paris home.

• Immerse yourself in French language both in and out of the classroom.
• Explore more than the usual tourist sites with excursions to the vibrant, lesser-known neighborhoods of Paris. 
• Dine with faculty and classmates at local bistros: an extension of the classroom!
• Experience local museums, theaters, and other cultural sites including the Musée d’Orsay, the Opéra Garnier, the stunning Sainte-Chapelle, and the longtime country home of the Impressionist Claude Monet.

"I was amazed at how quickly I learned French while in Paris! Having a great teaching faculty along with being immersed in the language in one of the most beautiful cities in the world made me fall in love with the French language and with Paris."

– Yoongi Tom, Participant

Dates:

• June 2 – July 4, 2025

Dates are subject to change.

Courses:

During the program, you will take a minimum of two courses for a total of 6 UC Berkeley units. Everyone is required to enroll in French 141 (upper-division), as well as one of two versions of our conversation course: French 13 (beginner) and French 14 (intermediate-advanced).

Possible Course Combinations

• French 13: Intermediate Conversation (2 units) + French 141: French Studies in International Context (4 units) = 6 units
• French 14: Intermediate/Advanced Conversation (2 units) + French 141: French Studies in International Context (4 units) = 6 units

Units: 6 units

Language of Instruction: French and English

Requirements Satisfied by this Program:

• L&S International Studies Breadth
• L&S Arts and Literature Breadth
• Consult with your college/major advisor to see which degree requirements this course may fulfill.

Note: Requirements above must be satisfied through full participation (all courses must be completed with C-/P or better)

Eligibility:

• At least one year of college coursework completed by the start of the program
• 2.0 GPA or higher
• May not be on academic probation or under censure for student misconduct at any point from application review to the end of your program.
• Must be 18+ years old at the time of application
• Must have completed FRENCH 1 (at UCB) or the equivalent

Housing:

• In Paris, students will live in single studio-style rooms in a dorm residence. Rooms come furnished with a microwave, refrigerator, stove, and pots and pans. The residence is walking distance from open air fresh markets (fresh produce, meats and fish) as well as grocery stores.

Food:

• Students are responsible for their own daily meals. As part of the program, students will dine together at local restaurants on four occasions: once at the beginning of the program, once in the countryside near Giverny, once in small groups at a local bistro, and once at a crêperie at the very end of the program. Additionally, in the first week of the program, program staff will take the students on a walking tour to explore affordable restaurant and market options.

Application:

Application opens February 5, 2025

• Space is limited and applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis
• Deadline to apply is March 12, 2025

Courses

During the program, you will take a minimum of two courses for a total of 6 UC Berkeley units. Everyone is required to enroll in French 141 (upper-division), as well as one of two versions of our conversation course: French 13 (beginner) and French 14 (intermediate-advanced). 

Possible Course Combinations

• French 13 (2 units) + French 141 (4 units) = 6 units
• French 14 (2 units) + French 141 (4 units) = 6 units

Course: French 13

Title: Beginner Conversation

Instructor: Daniel Hoffmann, Ph.D.

Units: 2 units

Prerequisites: FRENCH 1 or equivalent

FRENCH 13 develops students' ability to speak and understand French in both conversational and formal contexts, enlarges vocabulary, and enhances familiarity with contemporary French culture. Activities include oral presentations, debates, collaborative projects, language journals. Class conducted entirely in French.

Course: French 14

Title: Intermediate/Advanced Conversation

Instructor: Daniel Hoffmann, Ph.D.

Units: 2 units

Prerequisites: FRENCH 3 or equivalent

FRENCH 14 improves students' ability to speak French in both conversational and formal contexts. It includes listening, reading and discussion of French sociocultural realities including economics, politics, popular culture, and family life at the beginning of the 21st century. Oral presentations, debates, collaborative projects, regular journal entries and assignments. Class conducted entirely in French.

Course: French French 141

Title: French Studies in an International Context (Title subject to change)

Instructor: Daniel Hoffmann, Ph.D.

Units: 4 units

Prerequisites: None

FRENCH 141 is designed as a complement to a set of excursions throughout the city of Paris and its environs. Its goal is to help program participants observe, analyze, and interpret what they experience during the length of their stay in France. We will prepare for each excursion with readings of various genre and scope, in addition to occasional lectures. We will strive not only to appreciate the beauty of these sites with depth and understanding, but to also think critically about the social, economic, and historical realities behind them.

Readings and written assignments in French for majors; readings and written assignments in English for non-majors. Class discussion in French and English.

Requirements Satisfied by this Program:

• L&S International Studies Breadth
• L&S Arts and Literature Breadth
• Consult with your college/major advisor to see which degree requirements this course may fulfill.

Note: Requirements above must be satisfied through full participation (all courses must be completed with C-/P or better)

Course Enrollment

Note: Summer Abroad staff will enroll you in courses after your acceptance to the program. Please make sure there are no active blocks on your student account that may impact your course enrollment.

Costs

Tuition and Program Fee

The fees to participate in this program are broken down into 1) tuition and 2) program fees, which are applied to your student billing account as follows:

Fees are subject to change. All non-Berkeley  students must pay an additional Document Management Fee of $71.

Estimated Out-of-Pocket Expenses

In addition to the fees outlined above, Berkeley Study Abroad has estimated costs for out-of-pocket expenses. These amounts are used to calculate financial aid packages for eligible students. Actual expenses will vary depending on your lifestyle and spending habits.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available for Berkeley students who are enrolled in at least 6 units during the summer. Students can request a financial aid package estimate to understand what their individual financial aid package will look like. We recommend all financial aid eligible students request a financial aid estimate.

​​Requesting a financial aid package estimate: If you wish to receive a financial aid package estimate, please fill out this form (CalNet Authentication required). You will receive an email with your financial aid estimate (please allow a minimum of one week for response).

If you have a specific question about a study abroad financial aid issue you are encountering, please email TravelAid@berkeley.edu. Please do not email to request a financial aid estimate, these requests should be made using the form above. 

All other students should contact the financial aid office at their home institution for more information.

Explanation of Fees

Tuition is based on a per unit cost:

• The UC undergraduate student rate is $419 per unit
• The visiting student rate for all non-UC participants is $615 per unit

The program fee includes* the following items:

• Student housing in singles in a dormatory-style building for the in-country (in Paris) portion of the program.
• Excursions to Monet's house in Giverny, the Palace of Versailles, Orsay Museum, a boat tour of Paris, etc. (Excursions may vary year to year)
• On-site orientation activities
• Travel insurance to cover accident/sickness medical coverage, emergency medical evacuation, security extraction, and other travel assistance services
• Other program-related costs including fees for museum entry, group transportation, etc.
• The $300 deposit. If accepted to the program, the $300 deposit will be applied towards your program fee. If you are waitlisted or denied admission to the program, your deposit will be refunded. If you request to withdraw your application prior to an admission decision being issued, or cancel your participation after being accepted to the program, the deposit remains charged to your account. 

*The list of items included in the program fee is not all-inclusive and is subject to change.

The following items are excluded from the program fee and included in the Out of Pocket expenses estimate:

• International airfare
• Personal expenses (souvenirs, routine medical expenses, toiletries, etc.)
• Course materials (textbooks and readers). Contact instructor for clarification.
• Other travel expenses (passport, visa, etc.)
• Meals
• Commuting costs for daily travel to and from classes

Timeline

* The pre-departure orientation is mandatory and takes place on the UC Berkeley campus. If you are not on campus during this time, we will schedule a meeting via phone or Zoom.

† Students should plan to fly to Paris and check into program housing on June 2, 2025. Students are expected to check out of program housing in Paris on July 4, 2025. Students who depart Paris after the last day may do so, but they are responsible for arranging their accommodations outside of the program check in and check out dates.

All dates are subject to change.

Instructors

Program Director: Daniel Hoffmann, Ph.D.

Office: 4311 Dwinelle Hall

Email: dhoffmann@berkeley.edu

Daniel Hoffmann has been the Faculty Director of the UC Berkeley's Summer Sessions in Paris since 2017. During the academic year, he teaches language and literature courses in the Department of French, and serves as coordinator of the first-year French language program. In 2017-2018, he was a Teaching Fellow at the UC Center for Teaching & Learning. In 2021, he received the "Extraordinary Teaching in Extraordinary Times" award from the Academic Senate's Committee on Teaching. And in 2023, he received the Distinguished Teaching Award, the university’s highest honor for teaching. He completed his Ph.D. in French at UC Berkeley in 2016.