ISCOM
Institute Supérieur de Communication et Publicité
Program Type: Exchange
Institut Supérieur de Communication et Publicité (ISCOM), centrally located in the ninth arrondissement of Paris, has established itself as a premier training institute for students of advertising and communications over the past 30 years. Students are immersed in the professional world through their strong alumni network and industry partnerships, as well as having industry professionals serving on the faculty. Located in the cultural center of Paris, campus is walking distance from Palais Garnier, Jardin des Tuileries, and the Champs-Élysées.
Deadlines
Fall: approvals on an ongoing basis until February 15
Spring: approvals on an ongoing basis until September 15
Eligibility
- Minimum GPA 3.0
- Matriculation in a Bachelor's degree program
- Direct & Interactive Marketing students must obtain academic advisement and approval of the department chair/advisor.
Course Information
All courses are taught in English. FIT students choose from pre-set ISCOM modules for their time abroad in order to transfer back the appropriate credits to FIT. Each module has several ISCOM courses that equate to one FIT course. Students going to ISCOM will take a choice of 4+ modules (the equivalent of 12+ FIT credits). Your schedules in Paris will be created based on the courses you select and times of classes may vary week-to-week.
As this is an exchange program, students may also take online courses at FIT at no additional charge.
Academic Calendar
ISCOM does not post their Academic Calendar until closer to the beginning of the term. Typically the dates for Fall are from late August through mid-December and for Spring are from early February through early June. Students are expected to arrive the weekend before orientation begins and that information will be provided by ISCOM after nomination.
Accommodations
Students are responsible for making their own accommodation arrangements for the duration of their time in Paris. ISCOM does not provide student housing. Keep in mind that Paris is a large city, like New York City, and students may encounter similar challenges as they look for housing. Start early and remember that if it seems too good to be true... it probably is.
In terms of "safe" neighborhoods, consider this article. Though the maps are of course subjective, it may give you some things to consider in terms of where you may choose to live.
Though neither ISCOM nor FIT can "vouch" for any particular websites/landlords/companies, to begin your search, you can look into the below:
- Les Estudines (residence hall used frequently by ABS and AUP)
- Needl
- Housing Anywhere
- Spot a Home (ISCOM25 - partnership discount code)
- UniPlaces (ISCOM50 - partnership discount code)
- UniPlaces Residences
- The Social Hub
- Amastas
- Lodgis Paris
- Paris Attitude
- More informally, students may look into Facebook groups for students who are subletting, apps like "gensdeconfiance", or the Instagram page "friendzparis"
- Living with a family or an elderly resident: Cohomly, Students France Stay, Ensemble 2 Genderations, Réseau Cosi
In France, many places require students to have a guarantor in order to rent an apartment. Here are a couple of websites that may be of assistance for that.
Study Visa
Students will be required to apply for a Long-Stay Visa for the duration of their stay in France. Students are encouraged to carefully review the visa preparation site that we have prepared. Supporting documentation will be provided after approval.
Health & Wellness
Health Insurance
FIT requires all students to be covered in the U.S. and internationally for the duration of their study abroad program. Two types of coverage are required:
1. FIT requires students to be covered abroad for the duration of their program. This policy is mandatory, therefore students cannot waive it.
- Coverage abroad: UHC Study Abroad Insurance
*Students will be enrolled and account will be billed before start of program. More detailed information about coverage and claims processes will be provided post-approval.
2. FIT requires students to be covered in the U.S. for the duration of their program. Students may waive the Haylor insurance using the standard waiver process if they already have a U.S. based insurance policy with equal or better coverage.
- Coverage in the US: Haylor Student Health Insurance
Wellness
ISCOM provides a quality learning environment for all of their students and they offer access initiatives to address and support students' needs. For more details, see the ISCOM site here.
Program Budget
See: ISCOM Financial Budget Sheet (Google Doc)
A copy of this form may be brought to Financial Aid Services so that a careful review of your program costs may be completed by an assigned financial aid counselor.