Freshman students begin their general education studies with the FirstBridge program during the Fall semester at AUP.

This program is a set of two creatively joined courses linked by a reflective seminar. Limited to twenty-two students, each set of FirstBridge courses bridges several academic disciplines connecting peers from many cultures, with a team of two AUP professors and, with Paris itself.

Once a week, FirstBridge classes divide into two smaller groups of twelve students for a reflective seminar led by one of the two professors.

Throughout FirstBridge, students explore a range of interdisciplinary issues and questions, complete individual and team projects, enjoy occasional field trips in Paris, France, or other European countries, while improving skills in writing, public speaking, and information literacy.

The FirstBridge program carries 7 credits, 3 for each course and 1 for the required reflective seminar.

Freshman students entering in the Spring semester do not follow the FirstBridge program, but are required to attend a workshop on information literacy.