A University of Massachusetts Amherst Exchange with the Université de Paris VII - Denis Diderot in partnership with Academic Programs International.

Requirements

• Minimum 2.75 G.P.A.
• Proficiency in French: 5-6 semesters of college French or equivalent

How to Apply

This program is administered in partnership with Academic Programs International (API). UMass reviews all applications and will make final decisions once students have completed the application process.

Application Process:

1. Create a profile through the UMass International Programs Office online system. Go to the IPO Homepage to begin.

2. Submit materials - UMass and Non-UMass students follow separate procedures.  Refer to your application requirements in your IPO and API accounts.

3. Language testing: Once materials have been submitted, all students will be scheduled for:

• Online placement test 
• Oral French Interview (can be done via phone/Skype for off-campus students)

Spring: 
French Châteaux - Loire Valley - Provence - Rouen

Fall:
Bruges, Belgium - Burgundy - Lille - Lyon - Rambouillet

All excursions are subject to change. If requested prior to the API payment deadline, UMass students may opt out of all excursions and will receive a discount of $700 per semester.

Academic Program

Total Credit Hours per semester: 12-18 semester credit hours

Located in Paris Rive Gauche (the 13th arrondissement near the Bibliothèque François Mitterand), Paris Diderot offers a perfect immersion experience. The new campus mixes modern steel-and-glass façades with French pre-war industrial architecture. Courses are taught in French and students take classes in the humanities, sciences and social sciences with Parisian and other French students. Before classes begin, students participate in a two-week preparatory program or "stage" aimed at introducing students to the campus and teaching system. US students are taught alongside other international students who are also new to the city. Classes for English majors/minors and French language courses for foreign students are also available.

Course at API Center

Students participating in the exchange may take a class taught at the API Center.

Teaching Internships

A limited number of teaching internships are available for intermediate to superior level students. Students are placed in schools and work closely with teachers to teach English to students in French schools. An additional fee is charged for participation in the internship. Students will earn 3 semester credits upon successful completion. For UMass students, the teaching internship is accepted as an upper-level elective for the French Studies major/minor.

Course Information

Students will enroll directly in courses at the Université Paris Diderot. You will pre-select your courses after being accepted into the program, but registration will occur upon arrival in Paris. Because students will not have a confirmed class schedule before departing for France, it is a good idea to get pre-approval for areas of study, rather than for specific courses.

Course catalog -- Université Paris Diderot

Most students take courses in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at the License 1 & 2 levels, but students majoring in sciences can take courses in those fields.  Programs or "formations" at the Master or License Pro level are not open to exchange students.  Courses in film and psychology are only open to students who are majors in those departments.

Links to Paris- Diderot Departments
These are common departments in which UMass students take courses.

English and Anglophone Studies
Economics and Social Sciences
French as a Foreign Language (FLE)
Geography
History
Linguistics: Fall 2018 1st & 2nd year courses, Spring 2019 1st & 2nd year courses, 3rd year courses
Literature (Humanities track)
Literature (Arts track)
Sociology
Psychology (majors only)

Words from Returned Students

Four months--that doesn't sound like a lot. On average, my life changes very little in four months. Four months in Paris, however, change seemingly everything. I don't even know how to begin to explain what an amazing experience I had.

Vivienne P.--University of Massachusetts Amherst

My overall experience abroad honestly could not have been any better. Yes, it can be scary to be sitting in a classroom with people around you who probably don't speak English as a first language, but they could be some of the best people you ever meet. I was invited home to Germany, Scotland and Northern Ireland for Christmas from friends I made in my classes. I also now have people to visit all over the world.

Jennifer S.--University of Massachusetts Amherst

Program Contact: 

Emily Ostenson
France Advisor
E-Mail: eostenson@ipo.umass.edu
Phone: 413-545-2710