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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.

Coming soon! We’re planning to offer this program again for Winter Break, January 2026. We’ll add more information to this page as we receive it, and you can also alert your Education Abroad Advisor of your interest so we send you an email reminder.

 

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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.

Along with carefully arranged tours, you will also have two free days to explore Paris independently, visit additional museums, or take a day trip.
 

Program Contact Information

Desiree Dube

Sr. Education Abroad Advisor

Email: ddube1@kent.edu

Office Phone: 330-672-7989

Important Dates & Billing

Program dates: January 2026, exact dates coming soon.

Application Deadline: TBA

Deposit Deadline: TBA

You can :

  • Under "Categories" select "Student Travel Deposit: College of the Arts".
  • Under "Items" select "Paris: City of Empire - Art, Faculty-Led Study Abroad Deposit for Winter Break 2026".
  • From there, you can add the item to your cart and complete the payment.

Withdrawal Deadline: TBA

Final Program Fee Deadline: The remainder of the program fee will be billed to your 鶹Ƶ student account. The program fee deadline aligns with the Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center's summer due dates. You should refer to the first Spring 2026 due date.

Mandatory pre-trip class meeting: TBA

Application Process

You will need to complete a 鶹Ƶ 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 鶹Ƶ education abroad program, you will first need to apply for admission to 鶹Ƶ 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 鶹Ƶ 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:

Students will benefit enormously via the observation and study of works of art firsthand, in addition to the presentation and discussion of historical and contextual factors.

Through your visits and subsequent assignments, we will explore the legacy of imperialism, its imprint on art and culture, and its effect on contemporary issues in Parisian society.

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

  • 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

  • Depart CLE for Paris, arrive at CDG airport, settle in to hostel, get your metro pass.

Day 2: Paris City Tour

  • Morning and afternoon: Guided city tour of Paris to introduce it as a whole, passing by many of its historical and cultural landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Champs-Élysées, and more.
  • Evening: Free time to explore the city or participate in optional activities.

Day 3: Louvre Museum and Musée d'Orsay

  • Morning: Explore the Louvre's Department of Arts of Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas, which showcase artworks from various cultures impacted by colonization.
  • 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 4: Musée de l'histoire de l'immigration and Musée Carnavalet

  • 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 and history exhibits focused on 16th & 17th centuries.

Day 5: Free Day I

  • Full day for students to explore Paris independently, visit additional museums, or engage in personal activities of their choice.
  • Suggestions include Musée Rodin, Picasso Museum, or exploring neighborhoods like Montmartre or Le Marais.
  • Suggested excursion to the Palace of Versailles, a symbol of the absolute monarchy of France, known for its stunning architecture, gardens, and Hall of Mirrors.
  • Suggested visit to the Domaine National de Saint-Cloud, a historic park with beautiful gardens, sculptures, and views of Paris.

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

  • 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: Panthéon and Musée de l'Armée

  • 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 8: Free Day II

  • Full day for students to explore Paris independently, visit additional museums, or engage in personal activities of their choice.

Day 9: Musée de l’homme, Musée Guimet, and Palais de Tokyo

  • Morning: Visit sites related to the historic Expositions Universelles (World Fairs).
  • Afternoon: Visit Palais de Tokyo, one of the leading contemporary art spaces.

Day 10: Musée du Louvre Part II and Centre Pompidou

  • Morning: Visit the collection to address the legacy of race in European artworks.
  • Afternoon: Explore the Centre Pompidou, a modern and contemporary art museum housing works by artists such as Picasso, Miró, Kandinsky, and Warhol.

Day 11: Departure from Paris

  • Check out of the hostel.
  • Take RER to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, fly home.
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

Students will purchase an RER (train ticket) from the airport to the city, and back.

Students will purchase a Metro pass upon arrival in downtown Paris. This pass allows use of the metro, bus, and trams within Paris and will be used to travel between class sites, but can also be used for personal travel in the evenings and on self-guided days.

Note that these transit passes will not cover all RER zones (outside of downtown Paris). You may need to purchase additional fare to ride transport outside the immediate city zone (for example, to Versailles).

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.

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

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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 also encourage you to meet with your Education Abroad Advisor and reach out to Financial Aid the Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center to see how your aid may apply to an international program.

 

 

 

 

Ainsley in the gardens of the Palace of Versailles.
Ainsley Oppmann
Fashion Merchandising

"My best advice is say yes! Even if it’s something that you’re not sure you like, or something new, just do it. I’ve had the greatest study abroad experiences because I have been more open minded."

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