Summer: Global Luxury Retailing in Paris
With Paris as your classroom, you will gain an understanding of the impact of French culture and aesthetics on modern luxury branding and retailing.
Students will visit French luxury retailers such as Louis Vuitton, Hermes and Chanel, along with historic sites where the industry was created and later evolved, such as the Palace at Versailles. You will study at the Paris American Academy, which is located in the historic Latin Quarter. At the completion of the class, students will have an understanding of the deep interconnection between the luxury industry and France.
Full-time students within the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology are able to apply their Welch Tuition Waiver ($1950) to this program!
Dates & Deadlines*
| Term | Year | Application Deadline | Decision Date | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | 2025 | February 1, 2025 | TBD | May 17 | May 31 |
Program Description
Paris is known for its sophistication, cultural prestige and global influence. In studying abroad there, you will benefit from living in this diverse and cosmopolitan European capital city where you can find yourself sipping a café under one of its many famed open terraces at one moment and viewing classic works of art from Monet, Renoir, or Van Gogh the next.
In reputation and in reality, France is an enchanting country that evokes elegance, opulence, and charm. But the country is so much more than luxurious castles, fashionable cities, and delicious food and wine. France has an incredible history spanning thousands of years that can be found in every crevice of its countryside. From the days of its powerful monarchs, it has been one of the world’s great powers. Its fertile farmland and advantageous geography created ideal conditions for growth in earlier centuries. Its products – both cultural and economic – have become world-renowned and synonymous with quality. One can hardly think of France without thinking of wine, cheese, art, and fashion goods. It is also home to less romantic, but still highly successful, major industries like energy and aeronautics. Politically, despite many wars and revolutions, its global
leadership has remained intact. Today, France is the 6th largest economy in the world and Europe’s 4th wealthiest nation, as well as a member of the UN Security Council, the G7, G20, NATO, and the EU.
Perhaps the most notable feature of France is a cultural identity that is uniquely French. Each region is its own, and amid the beauty of the mountains, coastline, and world-class cities, there are charming towns filled with friendly people who embrace the true meaning of joie de vivre.
Did You Know?
- French is an official language in more than 30 countries.
- France has changed its form of government nine times since 1789, including five republics, two empires, and two constitutional monarchies.
- More than 300 distinct kinds of cheese are made in France.
- Since February 2016, supermarkets in France must donate unsold food to food banks or charities – it was the first country in the world to implement this idea.
- France attracts more tourists than any other country, with over 81 million visitors each year.
FMM 372 Global Luxury Retailing in Paris
This study abroad course enables students to study various aspects of the marketing of luxury products including, design & trend, production, merchandising and retailing. Students will learn about the luxury industry in France through a series of lectures, guided tours and visits to brands, retailers, museum and historic sites. Students will create their own journal and write about their own experiences abroad. This journal will be a multi-media record using words, pictures and artifacts. In addition, students will analyze a French brand and its competitors in one specific area of Paris (e.g., Place Vendome, Avenue Montaigne, etc.). Through this analysis and journal students will develop a holistic concept of the interconnection between French culture, aesthetic, branding, design, merchandising, retailing and consumer behavior.
There will be three meetings for this course during the spring 2025 semester (meeting times TBD).
Eligibility
You must be in good academic, disciplinary and financial standing with SHU. Students must have at least a 2.5 GPA and have taken FMM 240 Fashion Marketing.
Course Credit
SHU-approved courses taken on this program will count towards your general graduation total. Course grades will also factor into your cumulative grade point average (courses are not available for pass/fail).
Accommodations are at Hôtel André Latin and some meals are included as part of your study abroad program fees. The hotel includes daily breakfast, but you will be responsible for most lunches and dinners. A Welcome meal and Farewell meal are included.
Visits/Excursions for this program will include:
- Villa Roche
- The Yves Saint Laurent Museum
- The Palais Galleria
- The Fondation Louis Vuitton
- Versailles
- Musée d'Orsay
- Giverny - Claude Monet Fondation and Musée des impressionnismes
International Fashion Luxury Retailing: Summer 2025 Programs Costs (tentative)
| Budget Item | Amount | Payable To | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | $45 | Global Engagement | Payable upon application to the program |
| Confirmation Fee | $250 | Global Engagement | Due within two weeks of acceptance to the program |
| Total | $295 | ||
| SHU Short-Term Undergraduate Tuition | $1,950 | Student Accounts | 3-credit rate |
| Program Fee | $3,300 | Student Accounts | |
| Registration Fee | $115 | Student Accounts | |
| Estimated Total | $5,365 | Total will be billed in accordance with Student Accounts billing cycle |
Additional Expenses
| Budget Item (Estimates) | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation - International Airfare | $1,200 | Group Flight |
| Meals - Additional | $700 | Breakfast is included with your stay, as well as 1 welcome and goodbye dinner. You are responsible for all other meals that are not provided in the program. |
| Personal Expenses | $500 |
Fees Include: Program orientation, housing, some meals, arrival airport transfer when arriving with group flight, and mandatory basic international health insurance.
Fees Don't Include: Travel to/from host country, major medical insurance, on-site course fees, program materials, or any personal expenses.
Additional Billing Information
All expenses are subject to change based upon currency fluctuations, flight demand, personal spending habits, etc. Actual expenses may be more or less than the listed estimates.
Program withdrawal fees, penalties and refunds are subject to the withdrawal policies of each program.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Scholarships are a great way to support the cost of your study abroad experience. In an effort to encourage you to study abroad, and to make a study abroad experience more accessible, Global Engagement prepared a list of scholarships and financial resources. This is not a conclusive list but it will help you start your search process. Global Engagement encourages you to apply and take advantage of as many relevant scholarship opportunities as possible.
Speak with Student Financial Assistance to determine how your aid package will apply towards studying abroad.
Welch Waiver - Applicable to Business Majors Only
If you are a College of Business & Technology student at SHU, currently enrolled in The Welch Experience, and have not yet utilized your study abroad tuition credit, you are eligible to use the Welch Waiver ($1,950) towards your Summer tuition for the SHU in Dingle program. In order to take advantage of the waiver program, you will need to complete the Welch Waiver application, located within your study abroad account.
Please ensure applications for the Welch Tuition Waiver, Thomas More Honors Program Scholarship, and/or Matthew R. Dalling Scholarship are submitted by the specified deadline. Applications and corresponding deadlines can be found in your Study Abroad Account. Failure to submit applications by the specified deadline may cause the scholarship dispersal to be significantly delayed.
If you receive scholarships, grants, or financial aid through SHU, these awards are posted to your Student Account according to the normal disbursement schedule.
Contact Global Affairs directly for further information.
Summer 2025
- Depart US: May 16, 2025
- Arrive in Paris/Program Start Date: May 17, 2025
- Depart Paris/Program End Date: May 31, 2025