• Paris
• Florence
• Dakar

Housing

The Arts in Paris program offers two types of housing: dormitory and home stay.

To offer students participating in the program maximum freedom, housing is provided in a student residence, La Cité internationale universitaire de Paris, which is located across from the large Montsouris Park, in the south of the city. The Cité universitaire is run by the University of Paris system; residents come from all over the world as well as the many regions of France. The Cité universitaire is well served by the Paris public transportation system: the express subway line (RER), the tramway, and several bus lines. The single rooms at the Cité universitaire are equipped with sinks and hot water; showers, toilets, and kitchens are found on each floor. A larger kitchen is found on the ground floor of the building, which also has a library, study space, and a computer room. The Cité universitaire is located approximately 35 minutes from the Wells Center and 40 mins from the language school.

Students may also choose the home stay option if they want to put more emphasis on learning the language, and on experiencing French customs. The home stays are located near convenient subway lines and may be located throughout the city (though every attempt is made to find home stays near the Wells Center and the language school, this cannot be guaranteed). Home stay provides some meals for the student, usually breakfast every day and 2-3 dinners per week.

"[The Wells College Program for the Arts in Paris] was perfect for me. My focus on art had never been so intense. The omnipresent art world in Paris penetrated my daily life. I was immersed in the language, the culture, and the art. I learned a great deal from my studies and even more from life experience. It was the most influential and invaluable experience of my life." (S.R., Wake Forest University)

Costs

The Arts in Paris program fee for the 2010-2011 academic year is $16,000 per semester for dorm stay and $16,500 per semester for home stay.

The program fee includes:

Program Director and On-site Staff

Professor Amy Staples, Associate Professor of French and Director of the Arts in Paris program at Wells College, holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Vermont; an MA in French literature from The Johns Hopkins University; and a doctorate in Romance Studies with a minor in Women’s Studies from Cornell University. Professor Staples oversees all aspects of the program including admissions, academics, logistics, and student life. Her frequent presence in Paris and constant contact with the Resident Director and other faculty and staff members in Paris assure that academic, curricular, and social matters are discussed at length for the benefit of the students.

In Paris, the on-site Resident Director (Ms. Anne Marsella) implements
activities and policies proposed by Wells College in order to assure the students' academic, social, and personal well-being during their stay in Paris. On-site staff members meet regularly with students to discuss academic, logistical, and personal matters; in addition they are very resourceful in helping students adjust to a new city, culture, and academic system. The close relationship between the on-site staff and participants, the concern for the total well-being of the students, and the availability of help and advice when needed, are unique strengths of the Arts in Paris program. All personnel in Paris are fluent in both English and French.
Back to top

Orientation

Upon their arrival in Paris, students complete a weeklong orientation period during which they learn about the city’s geography and layout, its public transportation system, its postal services and banking institutions, etc. The orientation includes guided excursions, informational meetings, and a number of group meals. Students are given time to discover Paris libraries and bookstores, museums and galleries, monuments, food and clothing markets, etc. By the end of the orientation period, students enrolled in the Arts in Paris program are well acquainted with the city and are ready to take advantage of the cultural riches Paris offers. During orientation students also finalize their course registration, receive precise information regarding all academic matters, and take a placement test for their coursework in French.

"I can't say enough good things about the Wells Program in Paris. Since my college did not have the resources to practice fine arts on a high level, I was determined to immerse myself in painting, photography, and ceramics in Paris. Painting in the Louvre was an unforgettable and extremely important experience for me and [for] my development as a painter." (A.S., Colgate University)

Photos courtesy of Kali Vermès