France: Aix-en-Provence Semester

The Institute for American Universities in Aix-en-Provence

The IAU College, The School of Humanities and Social Sciences is located in Aix-en-Provence, in the south of France. With a population of 130,000, Aix is one of the major university, legal, and cultural centers of France. Its lovely winding streets and sunny squares, lined with churches, cafes, and theatres, have captured the attention of many artists. Aix has easy access to Paris, Geneva, London, and other major European cities. The IAU College, chartered by the Board of Regents of The State University of New York, was founded in 1957 under the auspices of the Universitè d'Aix-Marseille, and is one of the oldest and largest education abroad programs of its type in Europe.

Course Offerings

Designed for all majors, IAU College is renowned for its founding philosophy of making it possible for students with beginning French language skills to study in France.  The structure of its program, which combines French language study with a range of liberal arts courses taught in both English and French, has opened the doors of cross-cultural learning to thousands of students who would otherwise have been denied the opportunity to study abroad.  IAU College requires all students without prior background in French to take at least two introductory French language courses per semester in addition to their courses conducted in English.  Intermediate-level French students complete at least one language course with liberal arts courses taught in English or French, while students with advanced French competency may elect to take all of their courses in French.

The neighboring French university, the Universite d'Aix-Marseille I, provides additional enrichment opportunities.  Local university students participate with IAU College students in a language partners program of mutual English and French improvement, and with the approval of IAU College's academic dean, qualified IAU College students may enroll in courses at the university.  From their first encounter, Anglophone and Francophone students help one another by sharing their expertise in their native tongues.  Students from the IAU Collegemay also take advantage of volunteer opportunities in local elementary schools.

At the Aix Center, the principal areas of study are French language and culture (introductory through advanced levels of language, civilization, and literature); art and archaeology, including art history and studio art; and European/international studies and social sciences (busineses, comparative literature, economics, education, government, history, philosophy, political science, and psychology).  A current and complete list of course offerings is available online at www.iaufrance.org/aix.

 

Student Life

There are an enviable amount of travel activities for students studying in Aix-en-Provence.

Marseilles, the Mediterranean and the Maritime Alps are only an hour away, and Nice, Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Saint Tropez, Paris, Milan, Rome and Geneva are all within one day of travel, perfect for a weekend trip. Many courses include trips in their curriculum; many others are organized by IAU College staff. Students are also encouraged to strike out on their own and explore their new surroundings.

Provence is known for its sunny, temperate and generally dry climate, so sunshine and outdoor activities abound. Beaches, hiking, skiing in the nearby alps, traveling to European destinations, as well as cinema and theatre, museums, lectures and concerts are just some of the possible activities for students.

Students enrolled in the program also have the opportunity to participate in language partner and volunteer programs, as well as additional excursions, field trips and cultural activities.

 

Housing

Home stays: Students are generally housed in the homes of French host families, though independent living arrangements can be made when necessary. Living in a French home is considered the best form of housing because it provides an immediate introduction to life in this new place.

Host families come from a cross-section of society; they belong to no particular professional or social milieu, but all are carefully chosen and many have hosted American students for several years.
The homestay option offers students room and half board. Daily continental breakfasts and five dinners a week are taken in the student's French home. Students are responsible for lunches. There is a multitude of affordable cafés, brasseries, small sandwich and grocery shops from which to choose. Many other food markets are available around town during the week.

Bed, linen, pillow and blankets, are provided, and the room is cleaned weekly. Students must bring their own towels, and they are provided with one machine load of wash each week.

Housing costs for the homestay are $4580 for the fall and spring sessions and $1645 for the summer.

Those IAU College students who wish to live in independent lodgings for dietary or other reasons shold be aware that these are in limited supply and often can only be arranged upon the student's arrival in Aix.  Students are ultimately responsible for locating their own lodgings, arranging the terms of the rental, and handling all related issues.  In addition, IAU College offers its own regional excursions, and students are strongly encouraged to participate.  These excursions provide excellent opportunities to see and learn more about other places in the south of France.  There are an enviable amount of travel activities for students studying in Aix-en-Provence.

Alumni Feedback

"This is a first-time eye-opening experience! I have made wonderful friends. I find the program exciting, the staff helpful, and I have learned a lot, especially about myself!"
- Alan Houot, Washington State University

"Last year I studied in a program in a French university. In Aix, there is a difference in organization, courses and activities. At the CCIS program at IAU, I feel very secure in knowing that if I ever have a problem, there will be several people willing and able to help. I feel that the courses themselves are challenging. Overall, a wonderful experience in a wonderful place. IAU staff are very helpful and patient. "
- Brian Crookes, University of Rhode Island

"I came to Aix. I spoke French. My ideas became realities and experience became my teacher. I am ready to never stop traveling!"
- Alexander Friend, Colorado State University

 

Duration

Spring Semester 2013: January 26 - May 19

Fall Semester 2013: September 7 - December 13

 

Application Deadline(s)

Fall: May 1
Spring:  November 1

Eligibility Requirements

A 2.5 GPA is required, along with transcripts and one letter of recommendation, for admission into the program which is open to students of freshman through senior standing.

Costs

$10,381 (CCIS member)
$11,431 (non-member)

“All prices, dates, courses are subject to change without prior notification.”

Truman requires a $300 deposit, deducted from total amount due upon acceptance to the program, but does not have an application fee.

Miami Dade requires a $130 application fee. No additional deposit is required. 

Costs Included

Instructional costs abroad, ccis and sponsor fees, health insurance

Costs Not Included

Fixed Costs:  Books ($185), activity fee ($685), room and half board ($4,850), a refundable damage deposit of $100. Please note that these are fixed costs and a $1,000 deposit is required at the time of your acceptance, payable directly to the IAU College; this amount will be deducted from your housing fee. 

Estimated Costs:  Airfare ($1,200), Personal and food costs ($2,500)  Additional $260 fee for Aix students who are taking courses at Marchutz. 

Entry Requirements

A valid passport is required to study abroad as in any country. France requires a visa for students studying during the spring or fall semesters. PLEASE NOTE: Due to new regulations by the French Consulate, all students are required to be physically present at the consulate that holds jurisdiction in their state. Students can no longer send for a visa via mail. Please allow ample time (no less than a month) to apply for your visa starting with the Campus France Application.

All costs, fees, and dates are subject to change without notification. Please contact the appropriate individual to verify all costs, fees, and dates for this program.

Related Links

• Wikipedia - Aix-en-Provence

 

Submit Application Materials To:

PLEASE SELECT JUST ONE OF THE BELOW LISTED PROGRAM SPONSORS. DO NOT SEND APPLICATIONS TO BOTH SPONSORS

Program Sponsor:

Joanne Michaud, Study Abroad Assistant
Miami Dade College
300 N.E. 2nd Avenue, Room 1443
Miami FL 33132
jmichau1@mdc.edu or studyabroad@mdc.edu

Phone: (305)237-3482

France Brochure: http://www.mdc.edu/mdcglobal/documents/FRANCE_BOOKLET_2010_11.pdf

Miami Dade website: MDC GLOBAL

CCIS Online Application & Instructions

CCIS Online Student Recommendation

(Students: DO NOT send the student recommendation form to your evaluators as an attachment. Please only send the page URL. The student recommendation form can be found under the "Apply Now" tab.) 

- or -

Program Sponsor:

Rosa Virginia Mendez, Study Abroad Advisor

Truman State University
Center for International Education Abroad
Kirk Building 114
Kirksville, MO 63501
(660) 785-4076
(660) 785-7473 (Fax)
rvmendez@truman.edu

CCIS Online Application & Instructions

CCIS Online Student Recommendation

(Students: DO NOT send the student recommendation form to your evaluators as an attachment. Please only send the page URL. The student recommendation form can be found under the "Apply Now" tab.) 

How do I apply?

Start the CCIS Study Abroad application process by downloading the forms. To download, right click on the application or recommendation form and click "save as", then save the form to your desktop or downloads. Once you have completed your form, SAVE IT FIRST!!!! DO NOT CLICK "SUBMIT" until you have SAVED your form or the recipient will receive a BLANK form. Once you have saved it, click "submit" and THEN email your completed form as an attachment to the contact email address associated with the program in which you are applying. If for some reason you do not see the email address pop up when you click "submit", then email the application to the program sponsor listed here on this page.

YOU MUST NOTIFY YOUR HOME INSTITUTIONS' STUDY ABROAD OFFICE OR ADVISOR OF YOUR INTENTIONS AND ALSO PROVIDE THEM WITH A COPY OF YOUR APPLICATION. 

These PDF documents are viewed using Adobe's Acrobat Reader plug-in, which is available free. If you don't have Acrobat Reader installed on your computer, click here.

All costs, fees, and dates are subject to change without notification. Please contact the appropriate individual to verify all costs, fees, and dates for this program.