Orientation

The Skidmore in Paris program begins during the pre-departure orientation held on the Skidmore College campus during the semester prior to studying abroad. Upon arrival in France, you will begin a three-week orientation. The first week of the orientation in the fall takes place in Césarges, a lovely château located in the foothills of the Alps. This is followed by two weeks in Paris. The spring semester orientation is held entirely in Paris. Both orientation programs focus on French language, culture and history through a series of lectures and guided tours.

Excursions & Activities

Excursions and cultural activities are considered an integral part of the Skidmore program that complements students’ coursework. You can look forward to guided tours of museums and historical landmarks such as Notre Dame, Monmartre, and Versailles, as well as frequent excursions to places of interest outside of Paris such as Normandy, Chartres, Fontainebleau, and the Loire Valley. The Center also offers a series of lectures that deal with questions of political, cultural and social significance.

"The Skidmore in Paris Program is really great (especially if you choose to take advantage of everything it has to offer). So, once you are here, do not hesitate to go all out. The people here are really nice and helpful, and by coming here, you really will learn all about French/Parisian culture."
-- Sasha Bogdanovskaya

In the past there have been trips to Brittany and Normandy (a two-day trip including le Mont-Saint-Michel, Bayeux and the Normandy D-Day beaches), the Cathedral and the medieval city of Chartres, the Château of Fontainebleau, the South of France (a three-day trip in Provence including Avignon, Arles, Nîmes, Les Baux, Saint-Rémy, and Glanum), and the Loire Valley Châteaux (a two-day trip including Amboise, Chambord, Chenonceau, Blois, and Beauregard).

• Paris - the City
• The Program
• Courses and Credits
• Orientation and Activities
• Housing
• Program Requirements and Application
• Costs
• Photo Albums
• Lifeline!
• Welcome to Paris

last updated May 17, 2006