France: Business Semester in Paris with ESSCA
For more than 20 years, GVSU and L’Ecole Supérieure des Sciences Commerciales d’Angers (ESSCA) have partnered together to offer full immersion exchange opportunities to students in business and international relations. ESSCA is a small, private, not-for-profit, business school located in France with approximately 3000 students. Students will take classes with both French and international degree-seeking students, as well as other exchange students from around the world.
ESSCA’s Paris Campus offers courses in the fall and spring (GV's winter) semesters, as well as a summer program. Students can take courses in English or in French. Courses vary based on the semester of participation. Subjects may include marketing, management, international business and trade, economics, French, and finance.
Paris is a dream destination for many students because of its iconic landmarks, famous fashion, and delicious cuisine. Paris has been dubbed the “City of Love” because of its romantic atmosphere, street-side cafes, and gorgeous sights. Students studying in Paris should expect to be immersed in French culture, consisting of art, history, and architecture.
GVSU's partner universities are largely independent programs; prospective participants should carefully consider if this form of study abroad suits their needs before registering. These partnerships allow students to experience a more independent international study abroad, but also require students to have a high level of flexibility and the ability to navigate much of the program independently. Those who prefer additional support may wish to consider other study abroad options such as external study abroad providers and our faculty-led options.
Requirement
Program Dates and Application Deadline
Fall 2023
Estimated Program Dates: August 2023 - December 2023
Application Deadline: February 1, 2023
(Closed)
Academic Year 2023 (Fall 2023-Winter 2024)
Estimated Program Dates: August 2023 - May 2024
Application Deadline: February 1, 2023
(Closed)
Winter 2024
Estimated Program Dates: January 2024 - May 2024
Application Deadline: September 1, 2023
(Closed)
Courses

ESSCA-Paris offers several academic tracks for Undergraduate and Graduate students. Courses are conducted in English.
Pre-approved Courses:
Note: This course list indicates courses that have been previously approved. It is not a list of available courses on this program.
Course Approval Process Students registering for courses that have not been pre-approved will need to follow the course approval instructions.
Students interested in satisfying general education courses abroad can find more information on our General Education page.
Housing
ESSCA does not provide housing on the Paris campus. Students are responsible for securing independent housing in the city. It can be challenging to locate apartments near the ESSCA campus and students must be prepared for a commute time of up to an hour. Semester students remain ultimately responsible for finding their own accommodations.
(Note: includes information for both Angers and Paris campuses).
Additional information, in English, is available in the ESSCA Paris Practical Guide.
Quality food services offered on site by La Brioche Dorée and ESSCA’s ‘Café Etudiant’ at student prices.
ESSCA’s Sports association has signed an agreement with Boulogne-Billancourt’s ‘omnisport’ club giving students access to all of the city's sport facilities.
Cost and Scholarships

SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:
International Exchange Grant ($1,000): Students are automatically considered when they apply to the program. Decisions will be made following the deadline for application. Questions? Contact [email protected] or 616-331-3898
Seidman College of Business Study Abroad
Scholarship (Deadline: March 1) APPLY NOW
Fred A. Bell Business Scholarship (Deadline: March
1) APPLY NOW
Paul and Sue Spindler Accounting Study Abroad Scholarship (Deadline: March 1) APPLY NOW
Padnos Scholarship: (Up to $15,000): The Barbara H. Padnos International Scholars program provides scholarships for year long study abroad programs (Students must study abroad for 2 semesters or more). The average scholarship ranges from $5,000-$15,000. APPLY NOW
Eligibility
Open to all majors. 2.50 GPA required.
Additional Information
Host University Website
https://www.essca.fr/en/international/exchange-student
Culture
When studying abroad, it is important to learn about the culture of your host country.
For information on music, food, language, news & more, view Cultural Information
Campus Info / Campus Life
Fall semester is 17 weeks
Spring/GV's Winter is 20 weeks
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Already Applied
Visa Requirements
Students studying in France for more than 90 days are required to obtain a student visa. The process for securing a student visa is lengthy and requires students to first obtain approval through Campus France. Students should begin the Campus France application a minimum of 8 weeks prior to departure, however earlier application is highly recommended. Students must have acceptance from the host university before finalizing their Campus France application. Students will be required to travel to the VFS French Visa Processing Center for a visa appointment. The nearest processing center is in Chicago but students are welcome to schedule appointments at any of the VFS processing centers throughout the United States. Please review our student visa guide for France for important details regarding the application process.
PLEASE NOTE: Students who arrange their own housing in Paris will need to request a "Attestation d'accueil" from their housing provider for the visa application.
Arrival Information
Students will fly into Paris. From the airport, you can take either a bus or a taxi to where ESSCA is located.
ESSCA offers detailed information on how to get to campus.
CDC Report
US State Department Information
US State Department Country Information (France)
Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC)
US Embassy in France - Location
US Department of State - Students Abroad
Guides
2022-2023 Paris Academic Calendar
Resources for Emergency Situations
Reporting an Incident
Contact Information
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