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UW in Paris

Paris city skyline during spring. A cherry blossom tree is in the foreground with the Eiffel Tower in the background.
Ornate bridge over the Seine river. It has gold decals along the lower arch and lampposts lining the residential path.
Exterior of the Louvre. The glass pyramid is the focus of the foreground, with the older architecture lining the perimeter. People are walking around the grounds.

France, Paris

Take a study break at the Eiffel Tower while studying abroad in Paris, the city of light. Pass the day watching the world walk by at your favorite local cafe or gaze at the Mona Lisa in the world's most visited art museum, The Louvre. Stroll along the Champs-Elysees while enjoying everything that Paris has to offer in your spring semester abroad!

The UW Paris Spring Program is offered through a partnership with the CIEE Paris Open Campus program. Typically, a faculty member from UW Madison serves as a Faculty in Residence each spring. In addition, CIEE will facilitate the transition into Parisian life and help with everyday practical matters. 

Paris, France’s capital, is a major world metropolis. The Seine River traverses the city; its waterways, quays, and bridges are major thoroughfares, and ways to see the city’s most famous monuments such as the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and Notre Dame Cathedral. The city is known for its cafés (one for every 200 inhabitants), parks (Bois de Boulougne, Jardin de Luxembourg, Bois de Vincennes), street life and markets; and as a center for culture, art, fashion, gastronomy, and intellectual life.

Learning Objectives

We have overall Goals and Expectations for Study Abroad Participants, covering the personal, academic and professional aspects of study abroad. Additionally on this program, you can:

  • Deepen cross-cultural understanding through exposure to daily life and cultural activities in Paris
  • Navigate new educational systems, as well as new learning and teaching styles

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to providing quality study abroad and domestic study away programs for every UW-Madison student. We work strategically to identify, address, and remove barriers that may prevent participation and to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for students. Our staff actively engages with students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds and prioritizes the continuous development of our knowledge and cultural competence. We also recognize the importance of increasing access to study abroad for historically underrepresented student populations. We are committed to diversity and inclusion so that every student can engage with and understand their identity through a new lens and continue to develop and make progress on their personal, professional, and academic goals.

Sustainability

We recognize that the future of study abroad, domestic study away, and international internship programming requires a Commitment to Sustainability. We are devoted to examining, developing, and improving sustainability in all our endeavors, aligning with campus priorities and following through with UW-Madison's climate action and Resilience Commitment. Join our efforts and learn more about how to study abroad sustainably.

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Eligibility

  • 2.5 cumulative GPA
  • Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior
  • Good academic and disciplinary standing
  • At the time of application and the semester prior to participation, UW-Madison students must be currently enrolled. Transfer Students to UW-Madison need to be currently enrolled at their home institution

Advising Location

Program Structure

UW Signature

Subjects

Business, Communications, Journalism & News Media, Global & Community Health, International Relations & Political Science, Language, Literature & Culture, Sustainability and Environmental Sciences, STEM and Society.

Classroom Language

English

Housing

Residence Hall

Program Duration

Spring: Early-January – Mid-May 

Application Deadline(s)

Spring 2026-27 - [Blocks I, II & III] 9/4/2026 Cost Details
Spring 2026-27 - [Blocks I & II] 9/4/2026 Cost Details

Future durations will be posted at a later date.

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Students choose from a variety of disciplines within seven different tracks: Art and Architecture; Business; Communications, Journalism, and New Media; Global and Community Health; International Relations and Political Science; Language, Literature, and Culture; or STEM and Society. You will be asked to select your track during the application process but will be able to select courses from all of the course offerings, regardless of your selected track.

Some courses as part of this program meet the field experience requirement for the Certificate in Global Health.  These courses are noted on the course equivalents sheet linked below.

This program operates on a three block academic calendar with each block lasting 6 weeks. All UW in Paris students will need to participate in a minimum of the first 2 blocks for 13 credits. Students who stay for 3 blocks will take between 14-18 credits and must take at least 4 credits per block.

UW-Madison students participating on approved CIEE Open Campus programs must complete either two or three blocks in a single location. CIEE's multi-location Global Scholars program is not available to UW-Madison students. The CIEE Study Center in Paris is known as the Paris Center for Critical Studies. Courses taught by CIEE-hired faculty take place in the Center.

All students, regardless of previous language experience, have the opportunity to learn French.  Courses at a variety of proficiency levels are available. Students who have taken through UW's French 228 (Intermediate Language and Culture) and hope to take all courses in French may find their course options limited, as the curriculum is mostly English-taught. 

You may take a maximum of one online course through CIEE per semester while on this program. This includes courses taught online by your CIEE center or host institution, remotely through other CIEE centers, or through ASU Online. All other courses you enroll in should be regular face-to-face instruction.

You can also complete an internship for credit on this program, though the option is only available to students who participate in all 3 Blocks of the program. 2-Block students cannot participate in an internship.

UW in Paris Faculty Course Offerings -- Spring 2027

The Spring 2027 Faculty-in-Residence will be UW Professor Nevine El Nossery. Professor El Nossery will teach three courses in Spring 2027 -- a 3-cr. course during block I, a 1-cr. course during block II, and and a 1-cr. course during block III. Enrollment in Professor El Nossery's courses is required.

Block I: TBD
UW equivalent: TBD
3 credit

Block II: TBD
UW equivalent: TBD
1 credit

Block III: TBD
UW equivalent: TBD
1 credit

 

Program Web Pages

CIEE Paris Open Campus

Foreign Courses

CIEE Courses

Course Equivalents

Use the links below to see a list of courses that past students have taken on this program and the UW equivalents. Note: This list only includes pre-approved courses for your program and may not be an exhaustive list of courses, departments or equivalents. Courses may not be available the semester you are abroad. You will receive instructions on the course equivalent process after acceptance. View Course Equivalents

Program Leader

Nevine El Nossery

Spring 2027 Faculty-in-Residence, French & Italian