A 6-week tailored professional opportunity in Paris, offering American students a full immersion into the city's vibrant life.
Implemented since 2023 by Villa Albertine, the Cultural and Educational Services of the French Embassy in the US, the City/Cité Summer Academy in Achitecture and Urban Studies is designed to inspire a new generation of students committed to innovation and change in architecture and urban planning.
Sponsored by Saint-Gobain, the global leader in light and sustainable construction, this program offers students the opportunity to engage in a 6-week cultural and professional experience in Paris.
In 2025, the program will run from June 23 to August 1.
Open to American students in architecture or urban planning, this program includes:
- One week of visits, seminars and workshops with French students to discover the rich urban ecosystem of Paris (from June 23 to June 27, 2025). This week will be guided and supported by a French PhD student.
- A five-week internship in a renowned architecture or planning firm in Paris (from June 30 to August 1, 2025). Internship placements are arranged entirely by Villa Albertine. Applicants must select four preferred options from this regularly updated list. Villa Albertine will then handle the arrangements.
To foster connections among participants, the program also includes social gatherings, such as a welcome breakfast reception and a meal at a French restaurant.
Eligibility Criteria
- Open to senior-year Bachelor’s students, Master’s or PhD candidates
- Applicants must be enrolled at an American university, regardless of nationality
- French is not required as English will be used as work language, French skills are a plus.
- Laureates must have a valid passport issued within the last 10 years, with at least three months’ validity after the planned departure date.
Application requirements
- Resume/CV
- Motivation letter (in which you should indicate your four internship choices and explain your reasons for selecting them)
- Portfolio
- Academic Transcript of Records
- Bachelor/Master Diploma (if you already have one)
- Letter of commitment – download the form here
- Photo ID
Optional : Letter of Recommendation, French Language Certificate
These documents must be uploaded to the Google application form.
Internship Opportunities
Villa Albertine provides internship opportunities within a network of esteemed French agencies and institutions. Placements are determined based on a careful assessment of applicants’ qualifications and expressed preferences. Candidates are required to indicate in the Google application form four preferred internship options from the provided list and explain their choices in the accompanying motivation letter.
Please note that certain placements will involve pairing with a French student.
- APUR
- Atelier Senzu
- ChartierDalix
- Jakob + MacFarlane
- RB-A
- Saint Gobain
- Société des Grands Projets
- Studio Gang
Discover more about each opportunity here. Internship descriptions will be updated regularly.
Financing
This program is made possible thanks to the generous sponsorship of Saint-Gobain, allowing Villa Albertine to offer this opportunity at an accessible cost.
Fee: $500
The participation of the laureates will only be confirmed after the payment of this fee.
What’s included ?
Throughout the 6 weeks, participants will have access to a dedicated contact person. A comprehensive welcome and resource kit will be provided to the laureates.
- Internship placements
- Access to all program activities, including cultural visits, workshops, and seminars
- Housing accommodation at the Maison des Élèves Ingénieurs Arts et Métiers from June 22 to August 2, 2025
- Health and liability insurance coverage
- Logistical support provided by the French Embassy in the United States and Universite Gustave Eiffel
- A Certificate of Attendance
What’s not included?
- Airfare to and from Paris
- Daily living expenses (meals, public transportation)
- Visa and travel document fees
We encourage students to explore funding opportunities through their home universities.
Apply here
Applications must be submitted through a Google Form. If you don’t already have a Google account, you’ll need to create one.
Resources
Flyer
Accomodation details
Students will be hosted in the Maison des Élèves Ingénieurs Arts et Métiers at the Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris and will be provided with:
- An individual studio
- Equipment including a kitchen, sink, shower, and WC
Address: 1 avenue Pierre Masse, 75014 Paris
Partners
