Our members, from six continents and from diverse
backgrounds, form lasting friendships at WICE.
Run by volunteers, these dedicated men and women of WICE organize all kinds of learning opportunities,
including languages, Paris tours, cooking, history, writing, photography, film
and the visual arts. Recently,
we’ve added more purely social gatherings, such as our monthly apéro parties.
We’ll be celebrating un certain âge with a host of exciting
events all year. Keep your eyes peeled for new announcements so you can join
in the fun!
At our relaunched new-look website, you can register for all
activities, across all of our departments.
Here’s a sneak preview of 2018 courses and events:
Here’s a sneak preview of 2018 courses and events:
A comedy, “The Merde Factor”, a special performance adapted
from the novels, with a Q and A and book signing by author Stephen Clarke, on
12 February at 19H. Register here: The Merde Factor.
The 40th destination for WICE Visits will be an exclusive
tour of the Hotel de Lauzun, a magnificent 17th century residence on the l’île
Saint Louis, which normally is only open by invitation. Register here: Hotel de Lauzun.
A creative writing course, Writing the 40-Page Short Story, with Alecia McKenzie, novelist and
instructor with WICE Creative Writing. Register here: Crafting the Short Story.
A playful drawing class, 40 Pages, 40 Poses, with Jan Olsson of
Visual Arts. Register here: 40 Pages, 40 Poses.
A discussion series, Franco-US relations the last 40 years, with John Dean of
Cultural Studies. Register here: Franco-US relations the last 40 years.
Our Membership Bonus!
To commemorate WICE's 40th
anniversary, throughout all of 2018, WICE's Under 30 Membership rate will
become WICE's Under 40 Membership rate. New Members and renewing Members
who fall into the category of under 40 will enjoy the discounted rate of 30
euros per year.
Other Events coming up, with more details coming soon:
Belgian Beer Tasting: March 8.
Trivia Night: March.
Gala Soiree - Cocktail Dînatoire at the Cordon Bleu: May 15.
Friends and Family Picnic: June.
Cocktail Tasting class: Fall.
From our future in 2018 to our past…and our roots in the
feminist movement in the United States.
In 1978, a small group of American women in Paris, who were trailing
spouses, set up WICE to help women enter the workforce, and they called their
group the Women’s Institute of Continuing Education, though of course since then for many
years now we have welcomed men and women members and volunteers.
Our Board member, Ombudsman and longest-serving volunteer,
Jill Bordais, remembers these women as “global nomads, homemakers and mothers
supporting their husbands’ careers and volunteering in schools and community
groups. WICE offered women a chance to
put their skills into a professional context and tailor them into a c.v.”
In 1981, WICE started its Teaching English as a Foreign
Language certificate (TEFL) in partnership with Rutgers University. Later, WICE joined with the University of
Paris to develop certificates in art history and business, and esteemed writing
programs. Jill says, “This training
provided one of the best opportunities for anglophone women seeking employment
in France. Women wanted to get away from
the cooking and fashion courses that are now some of our most popular courses,
and staples of the French experience!”
As women established careers, WICE evolved into the cultural
association we know today, a diverse expat community meeting up for continuing
education and socializing with members from all over our fast-changing
world. As we start a fifth decade, we
have a past to celebrate and a future to look forward to, so let’s start our
birthday year with a bang in 2018, and make it the best year ever.
Post by Elizabeth Bouché
For information about our events and activities, contact:
wice@wice-paris.org
wice@wice-paris.org
Telephone: 01 45 66 75 50
Outside of France: +33 1 45 66 75 50Office Hours
Monday to Friday 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Closed on public and school holidays