Housing & Student life

CUPA HOUSING & STUDENT LIFE

“I felt like [My Host Family] were really there for me, always. They made sure that I felt welcome and encouraged me to speak French… The food was incredible; I ate better than most restaurants and really appreciated the effort they would put in every night.” – Nina W., Harvard University

CUPA Housing

Living abroad is more than a change of address, it is a shift in perspective, communication, and daily life. In Paris, where culture is lived on every corner, housing becomes a core part of the learning experience.

At CUPA, housing is intentionally designed to deepen immersion, build confidence, and support students as they transition into life in France.

HOMESTAY LIVING

Living with a carefully selected French host family is one of the most immersive ways to experience Paris. It allows students to engage daily with the language, customs, and rhythms of French life while building meaningful relationships beyond the classroom.

CUPA host families are an essential part of the student experience and are carefully selected and supported throughout the program.

Our host families are:

Carefully vetted, including an in-home visit by CUPA staff
Often long-term partners who have hosted CUPA students for many years
Matched thoughtfully based on personality, interests, lifestyle, and dietary needs
Supported throughout the semester by CUPA’s Housing Coordinator to help navigate cultural differences and ensure a smooth adjustment for both students and families

This structure ensures that homestays are not just placements, but living relationships that evolve over the course of the semester.

Students benefit from:

Daily use of French in a natural environment
Immersive exposure to French family life and traditions
Integration into a real Parisian neighborhood
A supportive home base throughout their time abroad

All CUPA homestays include:

Breakfast daily
Five shared evening meals per week
Furnished accommodation with bedding and towels
- Each student has their own room in the home
Weekly laundry
A welcoming host environment designed to support cultural integration

INDEPENDENT HOUSING

Flexibility for eligible students

While homestay is the standard and highly recommended housing model, some students may be eligible to petition CUPA for independent housing. Eligibility is contingent upon the policies of the student’s home university, as many partner institutions require participants to live in a homestay while abroad.

Students whose home universities permit independent housing may submit a petition to CUPA for consideration. Requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and must align with both program expectations and the student’s academic and cultural goals. Common examples include students who already have established housing in Paris, such as those planning to live with family members or relatives during their semester abroad.

Students approved for independent housing remain fully integrated into CUPA programming, advising, and student life opportunities throughout the semester.

For questions regarding eligibility or the petition process, please contact:

info@cupa.paris.edu

CUPA Student Life

Step beyond the classroom into the heartbeat of Paris

Paris is not just a backdrop to your studies, it is an active participant in your education.

Having inspired generations of writers, artists, thinkers, and flâneurs, the city remains synonymous with artistic creation in all its forms. World-class theaters, museums, galleries, cinemas, and alternative cultural spaces are woven into everyday life, making cultural immersion not something extra, but something constant. At CUPA, student life is designed to ensure that this richness is not only accessible, but fully integrated into your experience abroad.

At CUPA, student life is not an add-on, it is a core part of the academic journey. From museum halls to theater seats, weekend excursions to neighborhood walks, every experience is designed to deepen immersion, build community, and transform Paris into your new home.

Paris As Your Classroom

Students are encouraged to explore Paris beyond academics and engage directly with the cultural life of France.

CUPA-sponsored cultural activities are included in program fees, ensuring that access – not privilege – defines participation.

What's Included

Student life at CUPA is supported by a network of practical and cultural resources that make Paris fully accessible from day one.

Unlimited metro & bus travel (Carte Navigo)
Louvre access & Free entry to most Paris museums
Tickets to opera, ballet, theater, and concerts
Walking tours of historic neighborhoods
One day trip per semester + one weekend trip per semester
Access to CUPA computer facilities and student resources
Additional cultural programming including pétanque, gatherings, and informal events

Arts & Culture

Each semester, students receive tickets to some of Paris’ most iconic venues, including performances in:

Palais Garnier — Historic 19th-century opera house and Parisian architectural landmark known for grand productions and ornate interiors
Opéra Bastille — Modern main opera house of Paris, hosting large-scale contemporary and classical opera performances
Théâtre national de Chaillot — Leading stage dedicated to modern choreography and experimental performance
Philharmonie de Paris — World-class symphony hall and major center for orchestral music
And more…

Excursions & Events

Beyond performances, CUPA regularly organizes student life programming that brings students together while connecting them to French culture through dynamic, firsthand experiences.

Past student life activities include:

Weekend trips to Avignon, Arles, Strasbourg, the Loire Valley, Aix-en-Provence, and Saint-Malo
Day trips to Fontainebleau, Reims, Vaux-le-Vicomte, Rouen, and Giverny
Walking tours of Paris’ most iconic neighborhoods
Pétanque outings in local parks
Study breaks, crêpe parties, karaoke nights, and arts & crafts sessions
Soirées including Franco-American mixers and end-of-semester receptions
On-site cultural conferences and special visits
Studio tapings of French television programs such as Le Quotidien

Student Newsletter

Le Canard is CUPA’s weekly student newsletter, created by the Student Life Coordinator and written with students in mind.

It is CUPA’s essential guide to navigating the week ahead, bringing together academic updates, cultural opportunities, and the best of what Paris has to offer.