PCA’s 6 week summer program offers students an intensive environment to deepen their understanding and sharpen their skills in art and design. Courses expose students to Paris in a unique way, by combining classroom time with excursions to various sites around the city. Students enroll in three back-to-back 2 week classes, one from “Session A,” one from “Session B,” and a third from “Session C” for a total of 9 credits.
Application open until: March 15, 2025
Apps accepted on a rolling basis, and after closing as space permits
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
- Select from a range of courses in Fine Arts, Design, and Liberal Arts.
- Popular courses include: “Paris Through its Museums” and “Photography in Paris.”
Program Dates
Mid June 2025 – Late July 2025
Eligibility Requirements
Age: 18+
Academic Year: Sophomore (2nd year) or above
Cumulative GPA:* 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale)
* contact SAI if you don’t meet requirements
Fine Arts
Interior Design
Interiot Design
Liberal Studies
Liberal Studies or Fashion Design
Photography
Create a garment from research and concept to 3D form; draping explorations; develop technical sewing and textile skills; explore and analyze appropriate textile surface treatments and embellishment techniques according to specific fabrics.
Explore the A-to-Zs of what goes into garment construction and development; introduction tosewing and finishing techniques in order to create a foundation of understanding of technicalside of fashion; building an understanding of vocabulary synonymous with the garment industry;elaborated draping techniques (from the fluid aspect of draping to technical methods such asTomoko Nakamichis pattern magic) as well as the translation to patterns; translation between2D ideas to 3D volumes to appropriate textiles manipulations and fabric to create a final look
This interdisciplinary course will provide an overview of the creation of a fashion editorial for amagazine. With a main focus on art direction, you will be introduced to all the steps and aspectsinvolved in a fashion editorial photo-story, from initial research and mood board construction tostyling, photography and magazine. The course will consist of individual and collective projects toaddress the necessary skills for the conception of a fashion photo-story such as storytelling,concept development and experimental styling.The practice-based approach of the course will be inspired and supported by various lecturescovering topics such as: fashion media, surveys of key fashion photographers, stylists and artdirectors, genres of fashion editorials, significance of the fashion magazine and its role incontemporary culture.
In this course, you will: express and sketch basic plant anatomy in traditional form, Expand visual culture and have references of traditional and contemporary illustration and European landscaping, explore projects through printmaking techniques, observe and create exciting compositions while sketching in outside spaces, extrapolate and create an interesting composition from imagination.
This course develops the practice of contemporary illustration through demonstrations, workshops, field trips and studio sessions. The course will draw upon the rich French tradition of illustration through museum visits, visiting lectures by professional illustrators, agents and art directors as well as hands-on assignments which will create rich opportunities to develop a discerning eye to contextualize information into a strong visual. This course will also think discerningly about the future of illustration and how it can be adapted for the digital age.
Gain skill in Fashion Drawing inspired by Paris Art and Fashion Scene. You will learn the basics of fashion illustration, including the movement of the silhouette and the proportions of the “fashion body” exploring the diverse possibilities of various diverse media and techniques in fashion drawing; use of pastels, charcoal, watercolor, black ink, collage, and gouache; draw inspiration from the city of Paris, from masterpiece paintings to high-end street fashion; focus on your creativity, personality and imagination to create vibrant and contemporary fashion illustrations that represent your unique voice and your own style as an illustrator.
Through demonstrations, workshops and studio sessions, this course offers basic knowledge of jewelry making techniques. We will explore jewelry making and learn how to handcraft beautiful pieces using base metals, silver, and experience Paris as an extension of the classroom.With visits to the Musee des Arts Decoratifs and its jewelry galleries, we will meet influencers of the Parisian and French jewelry world. We will also visit the famous Place Vendome, home to many iconic jewelry houses, such as Van Cleef and Arpels, Cartier and more.
Onsite students will sketch, draw, photograph and write, following guidelines and multiple protocols. Life inside and outside the cafe will inspire students, as well as information and lectures about the historical and sociological aspects. Studio work will explore both conceptual methods and skills, developing each students own vision and style(s).
Through the different traditional methods of ceramics, you will gain a comprehensive learning experience in ceramic arts. During this ten-day course you will learn to make a range of projects from figurines and espresso cups to pendants and buttons. You will also study the history of ceramics around Europe and Asia and draw inspiration from your research.
As the french Pritzker price architect Christian de Portzamparc wrote, ‘it all start with a sketch’.For designers and architects, Sketching is the heart of creativity and more globally, we also know that manypainters, sculptors and even musicians, writers or poets have practiced sketching, needed sketching.The birth of an idea, what we call its concept and its communication can be resumed into a sketch.Therefore it is a tool to be mastered as a language in order to share ideas, wether it is a client, a colleagueor oneself.During the designer’s training, sketching can be considered as a fundamental knowledge, such as oftechnologies or history of Art.Located in the heart of Paris, PCA offers the opportunity to the course to set the city in the heart of thecourse. To sketch will also be the opportunity to learn about this city, the capital of Art, trends and Glamour.
Through a series of playful exercises, discover interior design and Paris together.What you will learn: You will explore interior design within the immense art and design scene of Paris. You will explore the fundamentals of interior design through a hands-on approach including drawing, model making, look and feel collages, mood board making and more.Where you will visit: Through a series of playful exercises, often starting with iconic visits to important design icons and exemplary destinations in Paris, you will discover interior design and Paris together. Whether you are considering more advanced studies in interior design but beforehand or you would like to experience a just a taste of it, studying this course in Paris is the answer.
The aim of this course is to establish the inherent principles that structure space from asensorial point of view. Students will explore the sensorial perception of space based ontheir personal experience throughout the corporal senses. The objective is to examinethe ways we interact with our built and natural environment in order to integrate thesedimensions into the creative process of future projects. Based on notions of physiologyof the senses, psychology of space and mindfullness we will explore our ability todevelop an attitude of attention and vigilance to our presence in space.
Pre-requisite: Participants should be openminded, flexible and bring a minimum of sketchbook/journal, paper, pen, glue, or tape. Other favorite art supplies will be useful and welcome, such as string, pencils, crayons/colored pencils, small paint set, cardboard folder, or tube for rolling up paper. Course open to Pre-College, Undergraduate, Graduate, & Young Professionals.
Learn to access your inner creative guide, developing your creative sensibility and inspiration.Drawing from life, movement, perspective, architecture, land art, collage, writing as exploration, and several other two-and three-dimensional techniques, you will learn and develop skills to open creative sensibility and inspirational valves. Using the world around you to create, not just physically but through translating observation and being inspired, fluidity and self-respect in creative terms will also unfold.Exploring life outside the studio, you will visit Bois de Vincennes as well as galleries in la Marais, Palais de Tokyo, Jardin des Plantes, Parc de Sceaux and the abandoned railroad, La Petite Ceinture, Pere La Chaise Cemetary, La Foret Meudon. You will explore varying arrondissements, forests, and nearby suburbs with a minimum amount of supplies on our backs (ie., paper, tape, cutter, colors, ink, graphite). The world is our studio.
This course is designed to introduce the student to the artistic and historicaltradition of cosmopolitan Paris. During the course the rich cultural andhistorical heritage of Paris, as it has come down to us from the Middle Ages tothe present day, will be explored through a dynamic program of venturinginto the city to learn about its cultural resources.Social, political and economic changes have been paralleled by scientific,philosophical and artistic developments. For centuries there has been apassion for change and renewal, most clearly of all in the visual arts. Studentswill learn to read with their eyes and experience works of art in person,analyzing various complex artworks; visiting historic sites, monuments andmuseums; and considering the city’s remarkable urban development andcontributions to architecture and design.The focus will be on several historically organized sections: the developmentof Romanesque and Gothic art in France; the royal and imperial patrimony ofthe 17th to the 19th centuries; the achievements of the Parisian avant-gardesfrom the end of the 19th century until the Second World War; and, finally,postmodern Paris. Classroom discussions will alternate with visits to artisticand historical sites in and around the city.
Pre-requisite: Open to all
This course will employ an interdisciplinary approach to explore Paris as a literary hub, for both French and foreign writers, throughout history. Students will examine literary depictions of Paris through close readings and in-class discussions of key texts, as well as the relationship between literature and other artistic media, such as film, photography, and fine arts. The course will give a particular focus to the 20th century: the rise of modernism and postmodernism as literary movements; the vibrant interplay between art and literature, including their parallel experimentalism; and the role of Paris as a refuge for writers from all over the world, especially those facing discrimination in their home countries (e.g. African-American, LGBTQ+, and Jewish communities). Students may also have the chance to depict Paris in their own words through creative writing exercises.
Explore what makes an engaging story; identify structure and learn how to apply it effectively in your script; develop and write complex characters; draft a synopsis, outline and script in industry format; gain confidence in the expression of your ideas; improve your constrictive feedback and critique skills; strengthen your craft and understand your own writing process.
In this course, we will delve into the art of crafting impactful short fashion films.Students will explore every step of the fashion filmmaking process, from idea conceptionto cutting and editing their vision. Valuable skills such as planning, pre-production,shooting in various environments, and adapting to different kinds of light will becovered. This practice-based course emphasizes storytelling, concept development, andan experimental approach to creating unique and high-quality work. Lectures will spandiverse topics, covering key elements essential for building an impactful portfolio.
Bring the City of Light to life in the darkroom! What you will learn: How B&W photography makes us see differently; techniques in exposure and camera function; processing film in a darkroom; developing a personal concept; comparing 19th and 20th century photography to contemporary B&W practices.
Through a series of workshops held around Paris, you will be introduced to hands-on experience in street style fashion portraiture. Students of this course will develop refined camera craft skills in lighting, composition, retouching and building a portfolio.
Courses & Schedule
SAI students are free to enroll in any available course, but prerequisites must be demonstrated through students’ transcripts. Students choose three back-to-back 2 week courses (one from session A, one from session B, and one from session C). Courses are intensive and meet 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday – Friday.
Course Registration
Students choose their courses after they have been accepted into the program. As soon as the PCA schedule is confirmed, students are asked to complete a Course Approval form, which is used to specify first-choice and alternate-choice courses. All posted schedules of classes are tentative and subject to change unless otherwise noted. SAI’s Paris Admissions Counselor will guide students through this process.
| Pre-Departure Calendar | |
|---|---|
| March 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) |
| March 15 2025 |
SAI Scholarship Application Deadline Students wishing to apply for a SAI scholarship must have all application items submitted by 11:59pm Pacific Time on this date. |
| Coming soon |
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. |
| Coming soon |
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. |
| March 30 2025 |
Enrollment Closes Students must complete their enrollment, including paying deposits, by this date. |
| Coming soon |
SAI Financial Aid Verification Deadline Students wishing to defer payment until financial aid disbursement must submit the financial aid verification form to SAI by this date. |
| Coming soon |
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 |
PCA Academic Orientation & Session A Classes Begin PCA orientation covers academic policies, and provides opportunities for students to meet one another. Following orientation, classes begin. |
| Coming soon |
Session A Classes End |
| Coming soon |
Session B Classes Begin |
| Coming soon |
Session B Classes End |
| Coming soon |
Session C Classes Begin |
| Coming soon |
Session C Classes End |
| 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 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 dinners/week. |
Coming soon |
| 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 | $1,200 |
| Books, Supplies & Course Fees Course fees are sometimes imposed to cover field trips. |
$25 / course | $125 / 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 for you 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 Lunch & Walking Tour
Students are welcomed to their new city with a delicious lunch and walking tour of the many Parisian sites, including the Eiffel Tower and the Champs de Mars.
Le Marais Walking Tour & Dinner
Students take a guided stroll through one of the most fashionable neighborhoods in Paris: Le Marais! The district is known for much more than its colorful vintage shops and food, but also for its rich history and culture.
Bateaux Mouches
On this activity, SAI students explore the heart of Paris by boat! Students enjoy a cruise on one of the city’s iconic Bateaux Mouches and take in Paris’ beautiful architecture from the water.
Visit to the St. Chappelle & the Conciergerie
Students visit two incredible feats of Parisian architecture. The St. Chappelle was the chapel to the kings of France and is known for its remarkable stained glass, which remains some of the most intricate in Europe. Just a few steps away from St. Chapelle students also visit the Conciergerie, which once imprisoned Marie Antoinette.
Day Trip to Deauville
Students take a 2 hour train ride to the beautiful coastal city of Deauville. Founded in the 19th century by the Duke of Morny, Deauville was meant to be the “elegant kingdom” close to Paris, and is known for its architecture and beautiful beaches.
Open Market Tour with Tastings
Le marché, or outdoor market, is a tradition at the heart of Parisian life, providing the city with a focal point for social interaction and culinary inspiration. Students take a tour of the celebrated market, and learn about its neighborhood and history. Students also receive tips on how to select the best fruits and vegetables, according to the season.
Farewell Evening Picnic
Students celebrate the end of a successful summer abroad and say their goodbyes over a typical French picnic along the Seine.
Standard Housing: Student apartment
SAI student apartments are convenient and well equipped, and include a shared occupancy bedroom in a shared student apartment (option to upgrade to private bedroom, if available). Typical residences house 2 – 8 students and contain a combination of kitchen, bathroom(s) and living areas. Furnishings, a washing machine, basic kitchen supplies, bed linens and towels are provided. All apartments are equipped with wireless Internet. Housing configurations are designated as female, male, and in some locations, gender-inclusive. SAI on-site staff is available to respond to any maintenance 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 dinners per week.
Passports
Passports should be valid for 3 months after planned return from France.
Student Visas
In accordance with French law, U.S. students studying in France for 90 days or less are not required to obtain a student visa. Therefore all U.S. students do not require a student visa for this program. Non-US nationals should consult their local Consulate for information on student visa requirements.