Paris: Economics

Students take three Economics courses in succession, all of which satisfy the electives requirements in the standard Economics track and the methods and electives requirements in the Business Economics track. Program participants also take a French language course, which runs at a normal pace through the quarter. In addition to classroom instruction, the program features a number of excursions to sites of historic and cultural interest both within and around Paris.

As a prerequisite to this program, students must have completed the Economics core courses in either the Economics major Standard Track OR the Economics Business or Data Science Tracks prior to participation. Students who intend to complete the courses and are in the middle of the sequence at the time of application may be admitted on the condition of successful completion of these courses prior to enrollment. To confirm your eligibility for the program, please reach out to the Faculty Directors of the Economics program: Professor Victor Lima (vlima@uchicago.edu) and Professor Kotaro Yoshida (yoshidak@uchicago.edu).

The following courses will be taught in Winter 2025:

• ECON 14000/24000: (Introduction to) Labor Economics – Julio Elías
• ECON 19300/29300: (Introduction to) Issues and Methods in Macroeconomics – Kotaro Yoshida
• ECON 19200/29200: (Introduction to) Issues and Methods in Microeconomics – Min Sok Lee

Students completing the Business Specialization track in the Economics major will normally be registered for the 10000-level version of the courses. Students completing the Standard or Data Science tracks in the Economics major will normally be registered for the 20000-level version of the courses.

These courses will satisfy elective requirements in the standard Economics major track OR the methods and electives requirements of the Business Economics major track.

All participants also take a French language course.

Headquarters for the College’s study abroad programs in Paris is the University of Chicago John W. Boyer Center in Paris, the University’s teaching and research hub in Europe. Since 2003, the Center has been home to a growing array of the College’s hallmark Study Abroad programs and has supported our community of students, faculty, alumni, and partners from around the world. Designed by Studio Gang, the new Center features state-of-the-art classrooms, offices, event and reception spaces, and gathering areas for students, among other features.

Students in the Paris: Economics program are housed in a residence hall within the Cité Internationale Universitaire (Cité). The Cité, a park-like residential complex in the fourteenth arrondissement, is the international student campus in Paris, though French students also live there. Students reside in single rooms with a private bath and have access to Cité facilities, including a library, theater, laundry, and athletic facilities. Students will have access to common kitchens in the residence halls and can purchase inexpensive meals at the Cité’s restaurant universitaire.

It is important to recognize the cultural context of student housing in France and understand that the amenities of dormitory facilities may vary. Although some of these differences may take some getting used to, remember that cultural differences extend to all aspects of your experience abroad. Having realistic expectations for your term in Paris will help you approach the study abroad experience with a positive attitude.

Participants in the Paris: Economics program remain registered as full-time students in the College. They take and receive credit for four courses: the three economics courses and a French language class. The language course will normally count as an elective. Course titles, units of credit, and grades are placed on the College transcript.

Study abroad students pay regular College tuition, a program fee, and a nonrefundable study abroad administrative fee. The tuition and program fee are paid in conformity with the home campus payment schedule, and the nonrefundable study abroad administrative fee is submitted when accepting a place in a program. Precise figures for the Economics program during the 2024–2025 year are listed below:

Winter tuition: as set by the Bursar’s Office

Study abroad administrative fee: $675

Paris Economics program fee: $5,960

Previous program participants report spending in the range of $200 to $250 per week on meals and incidentals while on the program, though frugal students may spend less, and others could spend much more. Bear in mind that the cost of living in Paris is relatively high and that, while it is possible to live frugally, it is also possible to run short of money if you are unwary. It is therefore essential that you budget your funds prudently, apportioning your resources so that they last for the duration of the program. If you are planning to travel before or after the program or on weekends, you should budget accordingly.

Study abroad students retain their financial aid eligibility. For more information about financial aid resources, please see our Tuition, Fees, and Funding section.

The Paris: Economics program is open to University of Chicago undergraduate students only. Applications from outside the University are not accepted.

The program is designed for undergraduates in good academic and disciplinary standing who will have completed the Economics core courses in the appropriate track of their major by the time the program begins. Usually, this will be students in their third or fourth year of study. While the program stipulates no minimum grade-point average, an applicant’s transcript should demonstrate that they are a serious student who will make the most of this opportunity. Because the program courses (aside from the French class) are taught in English, there is no language prerequisite, although students are encouraged to take French on campus before the program begins.

Each application is examined on the basis of the student’s scholastic record and personal statement. If you are interested in applying for this program please fill out the online application.

To discuss the Paris: Economics program and the possibility of participating, please contact Damaris Crocker De Ruiter.