France: Culinary Couture - Exploring Parisian Flair

Overview 

Since the reign of Louis XIV, Paris has established itself as a fashion and culinary center. The advent of the internet and social media has again crowned Paris the global leader and key educator in apparel and merchandising, where avant-garde meets centuries of tradition. 

Culinary Couture invites you to join in on a first-hand, immersive experience to discover the culture of this fashion and culinary center and the factors, economic and sensory, influencing fashion and cuisine. This experience provides you with experiential learning of the core of Retail and Fashion Merchandising and Restaurant, Hotel, and Tourism all in the span of spring break.

Featured venues to include the Paris high-end fashion industry, the Fashion Merchandising district, French food and beverage industry, a French Pastry company, the Louvre and a planned excursion to the Chateau de Versailles - a chance for students to travel mid-program to an historical venue of global magnitude.

Another program field trip includes a tour of bread and chocolate vendors to experience the culinary side of French culture with local tour guides, who are typically post-graduate age and are ready to interact and discuss any and all cultural points. Explore Parisian shops and cafes on Rue de Rivoli, hopping on and off the Metro subway and witnessing cultural venues on nearly every corner. Visit the neighborhood of Montmartre, where you can discover the bohemian lives of inspiring artists past and present. Bakeries and flea markets add to the Parisian experience, as well as a visit to Jim Morrison’s grave. Stop at the nearby Musee D’Orsay or Pompidou art museums, to better understand the French and their revolutionary creative ways. 

Students will share double rooms near the highly rated fashion district at a boutique-style hotel with free wi-fi and tastefully appointed rooms, all with private baths, on a quiet street in central Paris. Program students will be under the tutelage of OU professors who have expert knowledge and extensive familiarity of Paris and the French language. 

Highlights and Excursions 

Students will visit Palace of Versailles and Gardens, the Louvre, and take part in a French cooking class.

Living Arrangements 

Students will be staying 7 nights at a centrally located hotel in Paris.

Program Dates 

March 9, 2025-March 15, 2025

Academics  

Students will choose from the following courses to earn a total of 3 credit hours. 

• RFM 3400

Cost  

The program fee for this program includes: housing, airport transfer, one week metro pass, excursions, entry fees for museums/activities and some meals.

In addition to the program fee, students should plan for 3 credit hours of tuition*, administrative fee, and out-of-pocket costs. Below is the student budget worksheet for this program, which outlines these costs.  

An itemized Student Budget Worksheet will be published soon.

Items that are not related to the program (ie. additional entertainment, souvenirs, extra travel, contingency funds) are not included in the cost estimates provided and should be budgeted for separately.  

*Note: 

• If you are nominated to this program, you will be required to pay a deposit to confirm your participation. The deposit is a down payment on the total costs to be billed by OHIO and is determined by the total cost of the program. 
• For programs completed over winter-break and spring break, the credit-hours associated with the program are part of the spring semester. Students taking between 12 to 20 Athens campus hours, including those associated with the program, will not incur additional tuition costs for the spring semester. Students taking less than 12 or more than 20 Athens campus credits for the spring term will see their tuition charge adjusted accordingly.  

Funding Opportunities

More information on financial aid and scholarships can be found on our funding pages.

Eligibility and Requirements 

This program is open to all Ohio University students with a minimum GPA of 2.0 who are in good conduct standing. Retail and Fashion Merchandizing and Apparel majors are given priority.  Selection is also contingent on a successful interview by one or both co-directors. One reference is required. 

Students who will be on probation at any point during the program for a conduct offense that took place less than a calendar year from the program start date may not study abroad. Read the entire conduct policy.  

This program accepts NON-OHIO students. For more information about this process visit the Non-OHIO student page.   

Participants must have a at least a high school diploma or the equivalent (e.g. GED) by the start date of the program to be considered for eligibility.  Students enrolled in College Credit Plus (CC+) are not eligible for study away programs.

Entry and Exit Requirements 

U.S. citizens are required to have a valid U.S. passport when traveling outside of the United States. If you plan to study or travel abroad in the next year,  apply for your passport  now. Some countries also require a visa to legally enter or reside in the country.

U.S. citizens  will not  need a visa or other special document to enter the country for the length of this program. Please also note that visa requirements may vary if you plan to stay in the country longer than the program dates or travel to other countries during or after the program. Please familiarize yourself with these recommendations and requirements prior to applying to this program. 

For more specific visa related information, please visit OGO’s  Visa Information Page 

Information for  Non-U.S. citizens 

Resources 

• Health and Safety
• Accessibility Requests and Accommodations