Join students from around the world in the heart of Paris to spend a semester challenging yourself in courses across an array of disciplines including Art History, Business, Film, Communications, Politics and Psychology. SAI semester students at AUP select 3 - 5 courses from the range of subjects offered for a total of 12 - 18 credits. Motivated students have the option of adding a SAI Global Leadership Certificate to their AUP semester program.
Application open until: May 15, 2025
Apps accepted on a rolling basis
Application Requirements
Complete online application
Personal statement (300-500 words)
Official transcript
Passport scan (photo page)
Digital photo (passport style)
EU privacy consent form
Highlights
- Earn a SAI Global Leadership or International Service Certificate.
- Join active student clubs.
- 200+ courses taught each semester in a range of disciplines.
Program Dates
Late August 2025 – Mid December 2025
Eligibility Requirements
Age: 18+
Academic Year: Freshman (1st year) or above.
* contact SAI if you don’t meet requirements
Please note: The Course Schedule below is provided for informational purposes only. It is based on the previous term’s offering at AUP and may not reflect the final list of spring classes.
Cumulative GPA:* 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
English Language:* Non-native English language speakers must submit TOEFL: 88+ or IELTS: 6.5+, or proof of attending school in English for 3+ years.
Global Leadership Certificate
Students can supplement a regular semester of studies with the SAI Global Leadership Certificate (GLC), designed to enrich students’ experiences and to acknowledge their academic and service work by providing an additional credential beyond a university transcript. Students enrolled in the Global Leadership Certificate program broaden their awareness of global issues and deepen their knowledge of the host community’s role in an increasingly interconnected world through exploration of research, engagement in community service and interaction with experts and leaders. Students interested in applying for the GLC should select the program at application. Your Admissions Counselor will help guide you through the process of selecting GLC-approved courses at the time of registration.
International Service Certificate
The SAI International Service Certificate is awarded to SAI semester students who are motivated to engage with and give back to their host community. Supported by SAI on-site staff, students who earn the certificate gain valuable skills collaborating with local community groups, and obtain a unique perspective of their host city. Volunteers are able to explore a field of their interest, and build skills that can transfer into their future careers. For more information see SAI International Service Certificate.
Courses & Schedule
AUP courses run Monday – Friday. SAI students are free to enroll in any combination of elective courses, but prerequisites must be demonstrated through students’ transcripts. Please note that listed course options are not final until days and times are posted; until then, course options should be treated as tentative.
Course Registration
SAI students complete their course registration directly with AUP through their AUP student account. Upon confirming intention to pursue the SAI program at AUP, students receive login information for their AUP student account. SAI’s Paris Admissions Counselor will help guide students through this process. AUP courses are competitive, and students should complete their course requests as early as possible.
After students receive their course registration confirmation, no changes can be made until students arrive on-site. AUP’s drop/add period occurs during the first week of semester classes.
| Pre-Departure Calendar | |
|---|---|
| May 15 2025 |
Application Closes Applications accepted after closing as space permits. |
| Within 1 week of acceptance |
SAI Deposits Due $500 Enrollment Deposit (applied toward program fee) $300 Security Deposit (refundable) |
| Coming soon |
AUP Course Registration Opens |
| May 1 2025 |
50% of Total Program Fee Due Students who are accepted and submit SAI deposits after this date will have an amended pay schedule. 50% of the Program Fee will be due within 5 business days, based on the deposit payment date. |
| May 15 2025 |
Financial Aid Agreement & Financial Aid Program Deposit Deadline Students wishing to utilize SAI financial aid payment deferment must complete the Financial Aid Agreement form and submit the Financial Aid Program Deposit by this date. Students whose deposit payment date is on or after this date will have a deadline of 5 days after the deposit. |
| May 29 2025 |
Enrollment Closes Students must complete their enrollment, including paying deposits, by this date. |
| June 1 2025 |
SAI Scholarship Application Deadline Students wishing to apply for an SAI scholarship must have all application items submitted by 11:59pm Pacific Time on this date. |
| June 15 2025 |
SAI Financial Aid Verification Deadline Students wishing to defer payment until financial aid disbursement must submit the financial aid verification forms to SAI by this date. |
| July 1 2025 |
Balance of Total Program Fee Due (For students utilizing SAI financial aid payment deferment, any balance not covered by aid is due) |
| On-Site Calendar | |
|---|---|
| Coming soon |
Arrival & Housing Check-in Students arrive at Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airport. SAI airport pickup is provided between 9:00am and 12:00 noon, and students are transferred to SAI housing. |
| Coming soon |
SAI Orientation Mandatory SAI orientation is held at the SAI Paris office and introduces students to their city while covering safety, policies, housing, and culture. |
| Coming soon |
AUP Academic Orientation Begins AUP holds multi-day orientation activities. In addition to the mandatory orientation, students have opportunities to take city tours, join clubs, and meet professors. |
| Coming soon |
AUP Classes Begin |
| Coming soon |
Add / Drop Period |
| Coming soon |
Fall Break (no class) |
| Coming soon |
Classes End |
| Coming soon |
AUP Reading Period |
| Coming soon |
Final Exams Period |
| Coming soon |
Program End & Housing Check-out Students must move out of SAI housing by 10:00am to return home or pursue independent travel. |
| SAI Program Fees* | USD |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | $120 |
| Security Deposit Refundable at the end of the term. |
$300 |
| Program Fee Includes tuition, standard housing and SAI 360° Services (see What’s Included). |
Coming soon |
| Optional / Additional Fees: | |
| Optional Private Room Housing Supplement Private room in a shared apartment, with a shared bathroom. |
Coming soon |
| Optional Homestay Housing Supplement Homestay housing in a private room. Includes daily breakfast and 3 or 5 dinners/week |
3 dinners/wk – TBA 5 dinners/wk – TBA |
| International Mailing Supplement When applicable, students are charged an international mailing supplement to ensure visa paperwork arrives in a timely manner. |
$90 |
*prices are subject to change
Note: certain SAI-affiliated US universities require specific payment arrangements. These may require that some fees are paid by the student directly to SAI, and other fees are paid to SAI by the affiliated university on behalf of the student. If you attend a SAI-affiliated university please contact your study abroad office or speak with your SAI Admissions Counselor for details.
| Budget | Low Est. | High Est. |
|---|---|---|
| Airfare to/from Paris |
$900 | $1,500 |
| Visa |
$350 | $450 |
| Books, Supplies & Course Fees Course fees may be imposed to cover field trips and/or materials. |
$100/ course | $450/ course |
| Meals Includes groceries and eating out. |
$400 / month | $800 / month |
| Personal Expenses | $350 / month | $450 / month |
| Transportation within Paris Public transportation with some taxi rides. |
$125 / month | $150 / month |
| Weekend Travel Cost varies greatly by student. |
$300 / month | $1,000 / month |
This is a SAI 360° Services Program; it includes our full services!
- Program tuition and U.S. academic credit
- Accommodation in carefully selected student housing
- Airport pickup on arrival day
- Welcome reception and events
- Orientation to the host city and school
- On-site staff who foster a welcoming community and provide assistance when needed
- SAI Viva Experience: cultural engagement, excursions & wellness activities
- Student health insurance providing full coverage and medical emergency evacuation
- 24-hour on-site emergency support
- Farewell event
Pre-departure and Re-entry services
- Knowledgeable Admissions Counselor dedicated to you, providing friendly assistance
- Helpful pre-departure tools and resources
- Parent & family resources
- Online student groups to acquaint you with other SAI students
- Student visa advising
- Assistance with financial aid processing
- Need-based SAI scholarships
- Alumni Ambassador Program, with paid internship opportunities
- SAI alumni network
SAI offers all students the Viva Experience: frequent cultural activities, at no extra cost, for participants to get to know their community, city and country. Following is a sample of the activities included in this program. Please note that actual activities may differ.
Welcome Activity: Orientation & Bus Tour
Students gather at the SAI office for a Welcome Orientation program, after which they embark on a bus tour to take in the splendor of the city and a few of its magnificent landmarks.
Montmartre Walking Tour
Take a guided tour through the Montmartre district and glimpse the nooks and crannies of the most bohemian district of Paris, once home to artists such as Renoir, Picasso, Edith Piaf and others.
Maison Européenne de la Photographie Visit
Students spend an evening with SAI exploring the Maison Européenne de la Photographie, located in the trendy neighborhood of the Marais.
“Ghosts, Legends, & Mysteries” Evening Tour in Paris
Have you ever wondered about the mysteries and dark stories that Paris holds? Just in time for Halloween, join SAI for a two-hour walking tour exploring the city’s mysterious past. Our expert, English-speaking tour guide will recount tales as we tour sites such as the Louvre, Tour Saint Jacques, Ile de la Cité, and many more.
Open Market Tour & Tastings
Join SAI for a tour of one of Paris’ celebrated open food markets, Le marché d’Aligre. We’ll learn about the neighborhood and the history of the market. We’ll also receive tips on how to select the best fruits and vegetables, according to the season and purchase them. The visit will be followed by a picnic lunch in a local park.
Day Trip: Lyon
Spend the day exploring the city of Lyon and learning about its history. This culturally rich city is famous for its historical and architectural landmarks dating as far back as 2000 years! The group will tour this magnificent city on electric bikes, during which an expert tour guide will teach about the history of the city. After our tour, students will have time to explore Lyon independently, until the evening train back to Paris.
Hot Cocoa Bombs Workshop
Students enjoy the cozy-weather fun of preparing their own hot cocoa bombs! During this 1-hour culinary experience, an expert pastry chef will teach the art of creating delicious, hand-decorated confections. (This workshop is vegan friendly!)
Day trip: Reims Marché De Noël
The group will spend the a day exploring the beautiful city of Reims (only 45 minutes outside of Paris by train). While there, we’ll pay a visit to the Marché Noël (traditional open-air Christmas market), a quintessential European holiday experience, while taking in the sights, sounds, and perfumes of the holiday season in France.
Picasso Museum Visit
This museum houses the largest Picasso collection in the world! This tour will not only explore the museum’s permanent collection, but also a special exhibition of Maya Ruiz, Picasso’s daughter. A member of the SAI team will be at the museum to greet you with your ticket and audioguide. Afterwards, join our team for coffee, cakes, and tarts at one of the coolest and coziest restaurants in the Marais, Le Loir dans la Théière.
Farewell Dinner
Students celebrate the end of a successful semester abroad and say their goodbyes over a delicious French meal.
Standard Housing: Student apartment or residence
Standard housing includes a shared occupancy room in a shared student apartment or a student residence (option to upgrade to private bedroom, if available). All SAI housing in Paris is fully furnished and comes equipped with towels, bed linens, and wireless Internet. Students have access to kitchen facilities, comfortable common areas, and washing machines. SAI on-site staff is available to respond to any housing needs that may arise.
Optional Housing: Family homestay (additional fee applies)
Students choosing the homestay option will be placed with a local family, which could be an older couple or a family with children. SAI homestay families are thoroughly screened and are accustomed to welcoming visiting students into their homes. Homestays provide a private bedroom in the family home with basic furnishings. Wifi is included, as is access to laundry facilities. Students opting for this more immersive housing get breakfast included as well as 3 or 5 dinners per week (cost varies).
Passports
Passports should be valid for 3 months after planned departure from Europe.
Student Visas
In accordance with French law, students studying in France for 91 or more days are required to obtain a student visa. Those with French/EU citizenship are exempted. Non-US nationals should consult their local Consulate for information on student visa requirements.
Students must appear in person at a VFS Visa Processing Center to present their student visa application. Visa applicants living in the United States are able to set up their appointment at one of the nine visa centers regardless of their location. VFS Global Centers are located in Washington DC, Boston, New York, Atlanta, Houston, Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco. In some cases the nearest processing center may be in a neighboring state, which might necessitate air travel. Please plan and budget accordingly. Our Student Visa Office is available to assist students in getting ready for their appointment; SAI provides student visa consulting for all our students at no cost.