Study abroad: Paris

Saying bonjour to the City of Light is as simple as un, deux, trois with NYU in Paris. Is your French rusty? No worries. NYU has two programs here: one for students with little knowledge of the language and another for more advanced speakers. Once you get there, students are required to take a two-week, two-credit workshop in French language and culture.

The NYU center, located in the 16th arrondissement near the Seine River and Eiffel Tower, mostly offers courses in the humanities and social sciences, such as art history, cinema, literature, philosophy and politics — all have a primary focus on France. There's also the option to take classes at the Sorbonne (also known as the University of Paris) and the renowned Sciences Politiques.

One thing of note: There is no residence hall. NYU can arrange housing in the form of apartments or homestays that are within a 45-minute commute to campus.

And, of course, there's exploring the many cultural gems in this cosmopolitan city. Visit the Louvre and see for yourself if the eyes of the Mona Lisa actually follow you around. For history buffs, there could be a day trip to the D-Day beaches or a tour of the Palace of Versailles.

Other activities include dining on top of the Eiffel Tower, visiting Jim Morrison's grave at Père Lachaise Cemetery, and venturing into Montmartre — a hill marked by the white-domed basilica of the Sacré Cœur — both a nightclub district and where the likes of van Gogh and Dalí once frequented. The NYU program includes field trips such as wine-and-cheese tastings, film screenings, guided museum tours, and trips to the opera and theater. And on those lazy afternoons, there's nothing like kicking back with coffee and a good read in an intimate café.