Paris Summer 2026 | Glendale Community College

Program Description

Come explore Paris, one of the cultural capitals of the world!

In this five-week program, students will discover France’s rich artistic heritage while investigating the social environment of this most modern of cities. After two weeks of learning the essential concepts for the Art History 105 and Psychology 48 courses in Southern California, students will live in Paris for three weeks: visiting the world-famous Louvre Museum and Notre Dame Cathedral, sampling Parisian cuisine, and strolling charming neighborhoods like Les Halles and Montmartre. Professors Michelle Calderwood and Emily Shartrand will also lead students on an overnight visit to the lovely medieval city of Autun and daytrip to historically-rich Provins.

Program Dates

Paris 2026: Preliminary Shell Itinerary Itinerary

Note: While abroad, expect changes and go with the flow.

*Excursions and class session times TBA. Some events will be subject to weather conditions.

DATE	DESCRIPTION
15-24 June	Classes on GCC’s campus
26 June	Arrival in Paris
29-30 June	Overnight to Autun
7 July	Daytrip to Provins
17 July	Departure from Paris

Program Costs

$4,795 based on a minimum of 24 students
* Inquire about scholarships for regularly enrolled GCC students

Prices are based on the current USD/Euro exchange rate of approximately 1€ = $1.15. The price would need to be adjusted should there be a significant change in this foreign exchange rate.

Program Fee Includes:
--22 nights of accommodation in a centrally located student residence in Paris with Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, kitchenette, and no more than two students per room.
--Group Airport Transfers (must arrive and depart Paris at the same time as the group).
--Public transportation in Paris.
--Transfers to and from Autun with accommodations for one night in a three-star hotel (or equivalent) in Autun.
--Transfers to and from Provins.
--Entry fees to selected sites as part of the program itinerary, including the Louvre, Musée d'Histoire Naturelle, Cesar Tower, Saint-Lazare and Notre-Dame Cathedrals, Musée de Cluny, and Sainte-Chapelle.
--Welcome meal in Paris.
--Medieval food tasting in Provins.
--Farewell dinner in Paris.

Not Included:
--Roundtrip airfare to Paris (estimated under $1,600 if purchased by January 2026)
--GCC tuition for four units of coursework (non-residents are required to pay out-of-state fees)
--Single room option ($2,500, subject to availability)
--Mandatory travel insurance (estimated $50 depending on coverage limits and age)
--Textbooks (if necessary)
--Most meals and beverages
--Visas (needed for most travelers)
--Any quarantine expenses (if required following a positive Covid test while abroad)
--Personal expenses
--Excursions and entry fees beyond the official program itinerary
--Anything not specified as "included"

Payment Schedule

DATE	REQUIRED
First-come, first-served	Application and Interview
Within 10 days after acceptance into program	Deposit of $595 due
November 26, 2025	Second payment of $2,000
January-February	Coordinate with Study Abroad to purchase your flight (not included in program price)
March 9, 2026	Final payment of $2,200
May 2026	Payment for the 4 units of coursework

Program Requirements

Students are required to complete a formal application. The application may require a character reference, an academic reference, and personal information. Complete applications with the required deposits are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Most participants will be 18 years or older. On certain programs accommodations can be made for those under 18 with parental permission and recommendation from a counselor or the equivalent.
A pre-departure conference with each student by the Study Abroad Director and/or program faculty director must be held.
Students are required to have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and no history of disciplinary action at GCC or any other campus. Exceptions may be granted by the Study Abroad Director.
Students will be notified promptly in writing should they not be accepted into a program.
Program participants will be required to read and sign several forms including a “General Release of Liability” and “Assumption of Risk for Participation in Voluntary Activity.”
Students do not need to have a declared major in the classes they are taking abroad, and there are no language prerequisites for the programs unless a specific course has its own requirement.

Program Courses

As part of this program, students must enroll in these courses (four credit units):

PSYCH 48 (Psychology International Field Studies) 1.0 unit taught by Prof. Michelle Calderwood

This is a 5-week, 1 unit course introducing students to international fieldwork in psychology through direct engagement with the social and cultural environment in France. The class involves two weeks of foundational preparation in Glendale, followed by three weeks in Paris conducting onsite fieldwork and research.

Students will explore psychological concepts, including stress, attitudes, personality, mental health, emotion, and creativity, and how they present in local behavior, history, and art. Emphasis will be placed on empirical research, data collection, reflective journaling, and the application of psychological concepts to real-world behavior.

Transfer Credit: CSU

ARTH 105 (Medieval Art) 3.0 units taught by Prof. Emily Shartrand

Medieval Art is a survey of the architecture, painting, manuscripts, sculpture, and other material culture of the period between ancient Rome and the Renaissance. The course will focus on the art of western Europe and the Mediterranean region but will also significantly consider the intersection between Christian, Jewish, and Islamic artistic production in Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia. It introduces the student to the religions, philosophical ideas, economic trends, and political events that produced the art of the period. While in Paris, as well as on trips to Autun and Provins, the student will have the opportunity to tour architectural spaces and urban landscapes from the Romanesque and Gothic periods in France. The course will further consider the collection and display of medieval artworks in the museum space.

Transfer Credit: CSU, UC

Program Director