Who Paris? Why Paris? How Paris? 

Like most study abroad programs in the early decades of the 20th century, Smith’s Paris program was created as a way to provide Smith students with the best that European culture had to offer. In those early days, a year in Paris meant an opportunity to become fluent in French and to take advantage of offerings in literature and art history at the Sorbonne.  Since those early days, the program has evolved dramatically, and continues to do so today. Through a variety of partnerships and affiliations, we are now equipped to welcome students in any of the majors or concentrations offered at Smith, allowing you to pursue your major while at the same time benefiting from the unique opportunities available in the Paris program.

If you have pre-existing links to France and the francophone world, this program is for you. But if you have never left the US, and are simply curious about what a year in France could mean for you personally and professionally, this program is also for you. JYA Paris—much Like Paris itself—is not a monolithic entity, but instead a vast collection of opportunities and possibilities which you will discover and shape when you are here. There is a Paris that matches your interests, your passions, and your needs, just as there is a trajectory through the JYA program that is ideally suited to you. In short, we are interested in talking to all of you: from the student who applied to Smith College specifically because of the Paris program to those of you who, until now, could have never even imagined that you would be spending a year in Paris as part of your Smith education.

Paris is also one of the most engaging cities in the world. It is, as everyone realizes, one of the most beautiful cities on the planet. But beneath that beauty lies a complex network of contrasts and contradictions, hidden away from the tourist’s gaze. But you, who will be spending a year living in and being part of the fabric of this city, will have access to that rich tapestry that lies beneath the surface. 

Paris can be an expensive city, but it is also exquisitely attuned to the presence of hundreds of thousands of university students from around the world. Students like yourself can avail themselves of free events, deep discounts, memorable bars and hidden gems where an unforgettable meal can be had for a handful of euros. This is a city made for university students.

Lastly, Paris is an ideal hub for you to explore France and the rest of Europe. Cheap buses, fast trains and convenient flights whisk you anywhere from Morocco to Estonia. Even after spending a full year in Paris, you will only have begun to scratch the surface of what is possible to see.