London & Paris
Urban and Environmental Design
With its beautiful architecture and large public spaces, London and Paris are major tourist destinations with a deep history measured not in years but in centuries. London and Paris are also global urban centers with a combined metropolitan population of over 20 million, facing the same urban and environmental challenges that many cities in the United States face.
On this Study Abroad Program, we will study the juxtaposition of urban and environmental design solutions in London and Paris against their historic backgrounds. We will compare and contrast London and Paris in their efforts to address these urban and environmental challenges, exploring potential solutions that can be incorporated in the United States.
Although London and Paris are separated by water, we will travel underwater by train between these two historic cities. No prior urban planning or environmental experience is required for this Study Abroad Program.
Program Dates and Deadlines:
Term: Summer, 2027 | Program Start Date/Check-in: May 26, 2027 | Program End Date/Check-out: June 6, 2027
Application Deadline
Program Details
| Open to | All academic disciplines |
| Language of Instruction | English |
| Level of Study | Undergraduate and Graduate |
| Credit Offered | FAU credits |
| Program Primary Subject | Urban & Regional Planning |
| Sponsoring College | Science/Urban & Regional Planning |
- URP 4955 Planning Abroad (3 credits)
- URP 5958 Planning Abroad (3 credits)
Course Eligibility & Requirements:
Students participating on the program are required to take one of the course offerings listed for 3 credits.
Include your course(s) of interest on your study abroad application in the course section.
- Must have a 2.5 overall GPA for undergraduate and 3.0 for graduate at the time of application
- Must be in good academic standing at the time of application
- Must be eligible to take FAU courses during the study abroad program term
- See Policies & Procedures page for more information
Program Leader: Peter Henn
Email: phenn@fau.edu
Program Instructor: Melina da Silva Matos Sharifan
Email: matosm@fau.edu
Phone Number: 561-297-1208
Email: goabroad@fau.edu
London, the capital of England and the United Kingdom, is a 21st-century city with history stretching back to Roman times. At its centre stand the imposing Houses of Parliament, the iconic ‘Big Ben’ clock tower and Westminster Abbey, site of British monarch coronations. Across the Thames River, the London Eye observation wheel provides panoramic views of the South Bank cultural complex, and the entire city.
Paris, the capital of France, is a timeless city where art, history, and innovation meet. Known for its elegant boulevards, world-famous landmarks, and café culture, Paris offers a blend of old-world charm and modern sophistication. At its heart stands the Eiffel Tower, the majestic Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the grand Arc de Triomphe, each symbolizing the city’s rich heritage. Along the Seine River, students can explore museums like the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay, while experiencing Paris’s vibrant neighborhoods and forward-thinking approaches to urban design and sustainability.
Financial Aid and Scholarship Information
- Students participating on FAU Faculty-led Programs may use eligible financial aid
- Program participants may be eligible to apply for the FAU Education Abroad Scholarship
- See additional scholarship and funding information here.
$4,040.00 + tuition for courses/credits taken on program (FAU in-state and out-of-state rates apply)
Program fee payment deadlines:
1ST PAYMENT: $2,020 Due Sunday, February 5, 2027
2ND PAYMENT: $2,020 Due Sunday, February 15, 2027
Accepted participants will receive detailed payment instructions from the Education Abroad team via email.
Program Fee Includes:
- Hotel accommodations in London & Paris from check-in through check-out date
- 7-day Underground pass (subway) in London
- 6-day Metro pass (subway) in Paris
- Group welcome dinner and farewell dinner in London
- Group farwell lunch in Paris
- Tower of London & Tower Bridge
- Sky Garden
- London Eye
- Sightseeing River Cruise
- Eiffel Tower
- Arc de Triomphe
- Notre-Dame
- Louvre
- Louis Vuitton Foundation
- International Health Insurance
Program Fee Does Not Include :
- $200 administrative fee due at time of application
- International flight
- Tuition for courses/credits taken on program (FAU in-state and out-of-state rates apply)
- Most lunches and dinners
- Personal spending money
- Additional travel documentation (ETIAS travel authorization)
- A valid passport is required for all international travel. You need a passport to board an international flight and to enter the country. Passport cards will not be accepted as form of I.D. You may be denied boarding if you travel with a passport that appears damaged or altered.
- Review up-to-date details HERE. Routine processing times can take 6-8 weeks, and expedited applications in 2-3 weeks. Processing times does not include the time it takes for shipping. Processing times begin when your application is received by a passport agency or center, and do not include mailing times. It may take up to 2 weeks for your application to be received by passport agency, and up to 2 weeks for you to receive your completed passport after agency mails it to you. Therefore, you should add an additional 4 weeks to you passport application processing time.
- Some countries require that your passport be valid at least six months beyond the dates of your trip. Some airlines will not allow you to board if this requirement is not met. Check the Country Information to learn about entry and exit requirements for the country or countries in which you are traveling.
- If you are applying for a passport for the first time, you need to renew your passport, or you have any other passport questions, you can find information on the Travel.State.Gov website. In addition, several U.S. Embassies and Consulates provide information to assist applicants in collecting the documentation needed. For a list of Embassies, please visit U.S. Embassy.gov.
- Non-U.S. Citizens may need additional travel documentation. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you should research the study abroad program destination and your home country to determine if a visa or additional travel documentation is required.
- U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory – Country Information: Travel Advisories (state.gov)
- U.S. Students Abroad - Travelers with Special Considerations
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- FAU SHS: https://www.fau.edu/shs/
- World Health Organization (WHO): https://www.who.int/
All students must attend pre-departure sessions prior to study abroad. Education Abroad and your program faculty leaders will provide you with further details pertaining to dates, times, and location in the semester before your program.
1) Mandatory pre-departure orientation hosted by the Education Abroad office. This session will cover general international travel related topics such as health, safety, insurance, and travel tips.
2) Mandatory pre-departure meeting hosted by program faculty leader. This session will cover program and location specific information such as arrival, expectations, itinerary, and course overview.