Introduction
The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Study Abroad Center offers undergraduate students the opportunity to study for the summer in Paris, France. On-site, the program is coordinated by the Institut d’Économie Scientifique et de Gestion (IÉSEG) School of Management International Summer Academy.
This program is open to all majors, but is particularly ideal for students who are pursuing degrees, minors and/or certificates in Communication, French language, International Business, Management and Marketing.
2024 application deadline: Friday, Feb. 16
Schedule an appointment with a Study Abroad Adviser on STAR Balance.
Informational meetings: January-February 2024
2023 Program dates: arrival July 2 – departure July 29
Students may choose from a variety of courses at IÉSEG International Summer Academy.
Host Institution
The UHM Summer in Paris Study Abroad program is offered in partnership with the Université Catholique de Lille, Institut d’Économie Scientifique et de Gestion (IÉSEG) School of Management International Summer Academy, Paris campus. As a French Grande École and member of the Conférence des Grandes Écoles, IÉSEG is one of the most prestigious higher education institutions in the country. In 2013, IÉSEG is the first post-baccalaureate school to be EQUIS- and AACSB-accredited.
Established in 1964 in Lille, the school has a second campus just outside of Paris at La Défense, Europe’s biggest business hub. The School has a total of 3380 students on both campuses. More than 84% of IÉSEG’s faculty is international, and the School has a network of more than 200 partner universities in more than 51 countries. All Bachelors and Masters Programs at IÉSEG are taught in English.
IÉSEG is a member of Conférence des Grandes Écoles, EFMD (European Foundation for Management Development), AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) and CLADEA (Consejo Latino Americano de Escuelas de Administración).
Read about IÉSEG’s COVID-19 Campus Safety Protocols
Curriculum
All students will be enrolled in 6 credits of BUS 367: Business Study Abroad.
Course listing (2023):
week of July 3-7: one of the following courses
- Doing Digital Business in Latin America (BUS 367 I)
- Marketing and Fundraising for Non-Profit Organizations (BUS 367 K)
- Corporate Communication (BUS 367 G)
- European Integration (BUS 367 I)
week of July 10-13: one of the following courses
- Brand Strategy (Bus 367 K)
- Introduction to Stock Market Investing (No BUS 367 credit)
- Strategic Human Resource Management (BUS 367 G)
- Business and Human Rights: Historical, Legal and Contemporary Perspectives (BUS 367 G or I)
week of July 17-20: one of the following courses
- Big Data for Business (No BUS 367 credit)
- H2H Marketing – The Genesis of Human-to-Human Marketing (BUS 367 K)
- Introduction to International Relations Policies (BUS 367 I)
- International Business Management I – Part I (BUS 367G or BUS 367I)
week of July 24-27: one of the following courses
- International Business Management I – Part 2 (BUS 367G or BUS 367I)
- Soft Skills: The Key to Success in Life and Business (BUS 367G)
- Negotiation Skills and Conflict Management (BUS 367G)
- French Culture (No BUS 367 credit)
All classes will meet Monday through Friday, 1:00-5:00 pm. There will be an exam at the end of each week. In addition to the above, all students are required to complete the experiential learning component as outlined by the UHM Resident Director.
*Business students: Please consult with the business school “Partner Schools” page for approved, unexpired equivalencies.
Courses taken in Paris will appear on UHM transcripts as UHM courses.
FACULTY RESIDENT DIRECTOR
The UHM Study Abroad Center appoints a designated UHM Resident Director when appropriate. The Resident Director oversees students’ academic progress, mentors and/or tutors all participants. All students must participate in experiential learning activities led by the Resident Director, in addition to taking classes at the host institution.
2024: TBA
Current as of Aug. 28, 2023
Location
Paris, capital of France and home to over eight million people, has long been known as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Famous for its cuisine, fashion industry, architecture, museums, parks, boutiques, and rich intellectual and cultural life, it is also a city of contrasts between the ancient and the modern; the quaint and the high-tech. The sophisticated and reliable French train system (SNCF) makes Paris a very convenient hub from which to travel to other European locations.
Paris is a major world metropolis and center for culture, art, fashion, food, and intellectual life. The Seine River traverses the city; its waterways, wharfs, and bridges are major thoroughfares but also are ways to see the city’s most famous monuments, such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre museum, and the Notre Dame cathedral. The city is known for its cafés (one for every 200 inhabitants), parks (Bois de Boulogne, Jardin du Luxembourg, Bois de Vincennes, among many), street life and markets. It is a magnet for travelers from around the world.
Above all, studying in Paris is a unique occasion for students to glean from and appreciate French traditions, history, and current socio-political interests and concerns.
Housing
There are two options:
- Single dormitory room at Campuséa Paris La Défense Grande Arche Student Residence, within easy walking distance of campus.
- Family homestay in the La Défense general area.
Extra-Curricular Activities
In addition to a busy academic schedule, participants of the IÉSEG Summer Academy benefit from the high-quality selection of extracurricular activities. Some of Paris’ numerous cultural events in July include:
- Bastille Day (Fête nationale), France’s national holiday on July 14 is the occasion for the famous Bal des Pompiers (Firemen’s Dances), free street festivals, a grand parade down the Avenue Champs-Elysées and fireworks.
- Free Jazz and Contemporary Music concerts at the Parc Floral de Paris on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
Photos
Program cost (from 2023)
- homestay: $5,412
- dormitory: $5,968
Cost includes IÉSEG tuition, housing, orientation, excursions, meals, laundry, ground transportation, UHM Study Abroad and other incidental fees.
Roundtrip airfare between Honolulu and Paris is not included; students have the option of taking the flight arranged by Third Eye Travel or making their own travel arrangements.
FINANCIAL AID
FOR UHM STUDENTS ONLY: In order to receive financial aid, please ensure that either: a) you are receiving financial aid during the preceding semester, or b) that you complete the Financial Aid application during the current semester. www.hawaii.edu/fas
NON-UHM STUDENTS (those attending other colleges and universities during the regular school year) must apply for financial aid at their home institutions.
SCHOLARSHIP
See the Money Matters & Resources page for a list of possible scholarships.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Schengen visa-free
Admission Requirements
Students are eligible to study abroad as early as the second semester of their Freshman year or later.
The program is designed primarily for undergraduate students interested in studying Social Science, Arts & Humanities and Business in Paris. The minimum requirement is a cumulative GPA of 3.0. However, students with a lower GPA may be considered in exceptional cases. Non-native English-speaking students must have taken the TOEFL exam within the last two years and earned a composite score of 600+ or have passed the UHM ELI placement exam.
Admission to the program is selective. All applicants for the program will be judged on their academic performance, reasons for wishing to attend the program, flexibility, and sensitivity to other cultures, and ability to adjust to a new cultural setting.
Immediately upon acceptance to the program, students are required to pay a $500.00 non-refundable initial payment to ensure a place in the program. The initial payment will be applied toward the cost of the program.
Please note that students accepted to the program are required to attend three mandatory pre-departure class sessions totaling 12 hours. Failure to attend will result in students being withdrawn from the program.
Application
A completed Study Abroad Center application and two academic references must be received by the Study Abroad Center to receive consideration.
Students from outside the UH System must also submit official transcripts from every college attended.
The Study Abroad Center is closed on weekends, and Federal and State holidays.