Course Concentrations & Portfolio Requirements
Students are asked to submit a portfolio including images of 10 to 20 pieces. Applicants are encouraged to submit their best and most recently completed work, showing a range of technical skills and creativity. Portfolios may include works in a variety of media, including painting, sculpture, installation art, video, fashion design, illustration, etc. The PCA admissions committee is particularly interested in how applicants research and communicate their ideas. Furthermore, applicants are encouraged to submit work that aligns with the particular area of study for which they are applying.

The following Course Concentrations are available:

• Communication Design
• Fashion Design
• Fine Arts
• Interior Design
• Photography
• Critical Studies – as a “non-studio” concentration, students in this area have the option to submit a writing sample in lieu of a portfolio. This may be an assignment completed for a current or previous class; something that the student feels is a representative example of their current style and ability. Please note that Critical Studies concentration students who elect not to submit a portfolio may only have access to a limited set of courses. For example, fine arts classes are typically unavailable to students who have not submitted a portfolio, even if they’re pursuing a non-studio concentration. Please contact SAI admissions with any questions.

Courses & Schedule
PCA courses run Monday – Friday. SAI students are free to enroll in any combination of elective courses, but prerequisites for specific classes must be demonstrated through students’ transcripts.

Course Registration
Students choose their elective courses after they have been accepted into the program. As soon as the PCA semester schedule is confirmed, students are asked to complete a Course Approval Form, which is used to specify first-choice and alternate-choice courses. Certain Studio Arts courses may not be open to students who do not submit a portfolio, so all students are encouraged to submit one, regardless of concentration. All posted schedules of classes are tentative and subject to change unless otherwise noted. After registration is complete, any schedule changes must be made during the add/drop period at PCA, which is typically the first week of classes.

Applied Volunteer Opportunities
Visiting semester students at PCA have the opportunity to get involved in a wide range of short non-credit volunteer activities. This includes assisting at gallery events, fashion week, and working with individual artists in the city. Students return home with a unique and diverse resume of hands-on experience. Further details are provided to students upon arrival.

*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.

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 at least 3 months beyond your planned return 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.