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The bottom of the Eiffel Tower and small garden as seen through an archway.

Travel to Paris with your fellow students to spend nine full days in France over Winter Break. The city's museums and sites offer valuable insights into the spoils of colonialism and the legacy of la Francophonie, showcasing how Paris became the city it is today.

 

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Location

Paris, France

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Term

Winter Break

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Housing

Hostel

Program Highlights

On this art history study abroad program, you will visit several museums and monuments to study the history of the French Empire (including the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Centre Pompidou, and many others).

In addition to studying works of art, we will also observe how museums collect and display works to craft the image of “France” and how that relates to former colonies from Africa and Asia.

Learn about a Winter Break 2026 student's experience on the program. 

Program Contact Information

Desiree Dube

Assistant Director, Education Abroad

Email: ddube1@kent.edu

Office Phone: 330-672-7989

Important Dates & Billing

 

Program dates: January 10 - January 18, 2027 (Winter Break 2027) This program takes place over winter break, but is factored into your Spring 2027 course load and fees. 

Application Deadline: October 1, 2026

Withdrawal Deadline: TBA

Final Program Fee Deadline: The remainder of the program fee will be billed to your student account. The program fee deadline aligns with the Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center's Spring 2027 due dates. You should refer to the first Spring 2027 due date.

Mandatory pre/post-trip class meetings: 

  • Pre-trip meeting: December 4, from 12-2 PM (CVA Conference Room)

  • Follow-up meeting 1: February 5, from 12 - 2 PM (CVA Conference Room)

  • Follow-up meeting 2: February 19, from 12 - 2 PM (CVA Conference Room)

Application Process

You will need to complete a Education Abroad application. These quick steps will help walk you through the process.

1. Start an Education Abroad Application

When you click the "Apply Now" button (located towards the top and bottom of this page), you will be brought to the Education Abroad application system where you can view program costs and start an application. Be sure to submit your application before the deadline!

2. Guest Application (If applicable)

Are you a student at another university? To apply for a education abroad program, you will first need to apply for admission to as a “Guest Student”. Please apply as either an “Undergraduate Guest Student” or as a “Graduate Guest Student”, depending on your course level.

Once you have applied and been accepted as a student, you will receive an email with your FlashLine login credentials. Activate your account and then proceed to the next step, which is to apply to the Education Abroad program of your interest. You can return to this page and follow the “Apply Now” button to start that application.

You can also refer to the FAQs for Guest Students if you need further help.

3. Wait for Acceptance

Once you have submitted your study abroad program application, it will be reviewed by the faculty leader. Applications are evaluated on a rolling basis. You should hear back from us within one month.

4. Commit to the Program

If you are accepted, you need to log back into your application by going to and clicking LOGIN. Once you see the name of your program, you need to click on it and commit (i.e., accept your offer of admission). 

Academics

Course Information

Course Name and CRN:

  • CRN 10682 (ARTH - 42089 – 001), or
  • CRN 10687 (ARTH - 52089 – 001)

Number of Credit Hours: 3

KSU Sponsoring College: Art

Course Description:

The School of Art is sponsoring an experiential travel course in Paris. Students will travel together and spend seven full days in Paris, along with two travel days. Students will visit several museums and monuments to study the history of the French empire, especially observing how museums, policies of collecting and display, and contemporary issues show the legacy of imperialism in crafting the image of “France” and how it relates to former colonies from Africa and Asia. The city's museums and sites offer valuable insights into the spoils of colonialism and the legacy of la Francophonie, showcasing how Paris became the magnificent city it is today. This class highlights some of the key sites in Paris that best represent its historical ties to empire and colonialism.

Program Language of Instruction: English.

Faculty Contact Information

Program Contact Name: Joseph Underwood

Title: Associate Professor

Email: junder18@kent.edu

Phone: 330-672-3824

Eligibility

Eligibility

  • Must be 18 years of age or older by the start of the program abroad
  • You must be in good academic standing with an overall GPA of 2.5 or better.
  • Open to undergraduate and graduate students.
Tentative Itinerary

This program is designed to take place every other year over Winter Break.

Below is a tentative itinerary; however, the exact sequence, sites, and departure city are subject to changes in availability and cost.

Day 1: Travel Day - January 10, 2027

  • Depart CLE for Paris 

Day 2: Paris City Tour - January 11, 2027

  • Arrive at CDG, settle into hostel, brief walking tour, passing by many of its historical and cultural landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and Champs-Élysées.
  • Evening: Free time to explore the city!

Day 3: Musée de l'histoire de l'immigration and Musée Carnavalet - January 12, 2027

  • Morning: Visit the Musée de l'histoire de l'immigration, dedicated to the history and contributions of immigrants in France
  • Afternoon: Visit the Musée Carnavalet, a historic museum in neighboring mansions with Paris art & history exhibits focused on 16th & 17th centuries.

Day 4: Musée de Cluny and Musée d'Orsay - January 13, 2027

  • Morning: Visit the Musée de l'histoire de l'immigration, dedicated to the history and contributions of immigrants in France
  • Afternoon: Visit the Musée d'Orsay, which houses an extensive collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces, including works by Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, and Cézanne.

Day 5: Panthéon and Musée de l'Armée - January 14, 2027

  • Morning: Visit the Panthéon, a mausoleum dedicated to honoring notable French citizens, such as Voltaire, Rousseau, Victor Hugo, and Marie Curie.
  • Afternoon: Explore the Musée de l'Armée at Les Invalides, which displays a vast collection of military artifacts, including the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte.

Day 6: Musée du Quai Branly - Jacques Chirac and Musée de la Cité de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine - January 15, 2027

  • Morning: Visit the Musée du Quai Branly - Jacques Chirac, dedicated to indigenous art and cultures from Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas.
  • Afternoon: Explore the Musée de la Cité de l'Architecture, offering insight into French architecture, including replicas of significant historical buildings.

Day 7: Musée Guimet, Musée de l’Ordre de la Libération, Musée Rodin - January 16, 2027

  • Morning: Exploring the Asian art collections of the Musée Guimet.
  • Afternoon: Visit Musée de l’Ordre de la Libération, the history of the Free French Forces (c. 1940), de Gaulle's manuscripts, resistance activities, and the concentration camps.
  • Afternoon II: Visit an artist-museum, the Musée Rodin.

Day 8: Musée du Louvre - January 17, 2027

  • Morning: Explore the Louvre's Department of Arts of Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas, which showcases artworks from various cultures impacted by colonization.
  • Afternoon: Visiting the Louvre collection to address the legacy of race in European artworks.

Day 9: Departure from Paris - January 18, 2027

  • Check out of hostel and take bus to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport
  • Arrive to CLE

Suggestions for other activities you might visit during free time include Musée Rodin, Picasso Museum, or exploring neighborhoods like Montmartre or Le Marais.

Location

Paris, France

One of the most visited cities in the world, Paris is an architecturally robust location with world-renowned cuisine and illustrious art.

  • Explore the city as you walk along the same streets that some of the most prolific writers and artists have walked.
  • You can also take boat tours along the canals for an even more unique view of the aesthetics of Paris.
  • The cosmopolitan city has multiple landmarks to visit, including the Louvre, the National Museum of Natural History, and the highly successful Paris Shakespeare & Company.

Paris is more than just a tourist destination. It is a site bursting with culture and education.

  • Visit the bookshops known not only for their selection of books but also for their timeless architecture.
  • You can also walk through the Latin Quarter, which dates back to the Middle Ages, where students would attend the Sorbonne and learn Latin.
  • What's more, Paris offers a unique cuisine that combines both tradition and innovation. You can explore new flavors in an international city that provides an energetic city life.

Transportation

Airports

Flights to and from Cleveland (CLE) are included in the course fee (traveling between CLE and CDG: Charles De Gaulle International Airport ).

Local Transit

Local transportation is included in the course fee. 

Housing & Meals

Housing is in a student-friendly hostel with a shared room of up to four (4) people. Each room will have access to a private or shared bathroom and shower facility. The hostel provides sheets, a pillow, and a towel. Students may opt to bring additional bedding or towels, if desired.

Please note that meals are not included in the course fee. Students are encouraged to explore the diverse culinary scene that Paris has to offer. You can also get produce and meals from the various markets in Paris. Students can expect to spend about 45 Euros daily for meals and snacks, for a total of about $500.

Accessibility Information

Accessibility Information

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Whether your disability is visible or invisible, Education Abroad is committed to making educational experiences abroad possible for you. Early disclosure of personal needs and an open mind to different programs, locations, and services can help you identify the best opportunities abroad.  

Things to Consider

  • What types of physical, academic, and mental health resources and accommodations are available in my host country?
  • What types of activities does this program involve? Will there be strenuous hiking? Will we be walking long distances? Will we be carrying significant weight?
  • What is the housing like on this program? Will I be sharing a room or bathroom? Is there AC/heat?
  • What types of foods are available to me on this program? Will I be able to find meals that meet my dietary needs?
  • What types of transportation does this program use? Will I be navigating public transportation? Is public transportation accessible?
  • What is the climate like in my host country? Will there be extreme heat or cold?
  • Are my medications controlled or banned abroad? Are there regulations on traveling with my medications, service animal, etc.?
  • Are there prescriptions that I need to fill before I leave? What medications are available abroad? Is there a refrigerator to store my medication if needed?
  • How does my host country view my disability?
  • How do accessibility regulations in my host country differ from the US? (Ex.) Are ramps, elevators, tactile markings, etc. required/available?
  • Can I use my US medical devices in my host country? Is the voltage different? Will my equipment fit through a standard door (height/width) in my host country?
  • If there are overnight field trips outside of my typical housing for the program, is it possible to maintain the same housing accommodations I may require?

Learn More Studying Abroad with a Disability

Watch this helpful video about .

Resources

Student Accessibility Services

Financial Aid & Scholarships
Health & Safety

Pre-Departure Orientation

Prior to your study abroad experience, you will participate in a mandatory pre-departure orientation hosted by the Office of Global Education. During this orientation, you will be provided with information including but not limited to:

  • international travel procedures;
  • in-country resources;
  • health and safety resources and information;
  • culture shock and resources to help prepare for living abroad.

All students are encouraged to register with the prior to departure.

You can also review a wide variety of resources we’ve pulled together for you on our “Before You Go” page.

Country Profile

You can learn more about your destination(s), including travel advisories, through the .

In addition, we encourage you to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) travel page for for traveling to your destination(s).

If vaccinations or medications are needed according to the CDC, you should make arrangements for appointments with your healthcare provider or the DeWeese Health Center as soon as possible. Appointment openings at the DeWeese Health Center are limited and vaccines may need to be ordered, which takes time. Please note that not all immunizations are available at the DeWeese Health Center. 

Costs and Funding

cost affordability icon

Costs for the program will differ for every student. You can use our Cost Calculator to get an estimate of what you might expect for your program. 

We encourage you to meet with the Financial, Billing, and Enrollment Center to see how your aid may apply to an international program. We also encourage you to meet with your Academic Advisor to discuss your Course Plan of Study and to evaluate if your planned coursework is eligible for federal financial aid.  

 

 

 

 

Student in museum standing in front of painting
Mary Case
Studio Art & Art Education

"I am so thankful for this opportunity to study abroad in Paris! We visited museums daily, providing me with meaningful inspiration for my own artwork and future lesson planning, French culture enriching my perspective as an educator and artist. Studying global masterpieces in person allowed me to better understand historical context, empire, and the important role museum presentation plays in shaping visitors' interpretation. Beyond the classroom, exploring Paris, building connections, and experiencing new cultures made this opportunity unforgettable!"

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