SPRING 2024
Early Start Program (Optional): arrival January 13
Dates: arrival January 20 – depart May 5
Application Deadline: September 20
Cost:
The Institute for American Universities (IAU) is located in Aix-en-Provence (pop. Approx. 143,000) situated on the Mediterranean coast. The program offers courses in French language and a variety of other liberal arts and social sciences courses, making it an ideal study abroad location for any major. Homestays and a strong program of cultural activities complement the academic program to ensure students have a complete immersion into French culture.
Aix is a very beautiful old town, rich in history and local tradition. Overlooked by hills and Mont Sainte Victoire, Aix lies in a natural basin and is famous for its fountains, winding streets and sunny squares, monuments and churches, universities and thermal waters. The many concerts, the summer Festival d'Art Lyrique, libraries, museums, churches, bookstores, markets, and cafés have earned Aix its reputation as one of France's most engaging cities. A wealth of cinemas, restaurants, nightclubs, and sports facilities welcomes Aix's students.
In Aix-en-Provence, you can find one of the finest examples of the famed Provencal style of architecture, and a walk through the streets is a lesson in artistic control, in form, composition, rhythm, and beauty. Within a few miles of the center of Aix, original motifs of many great artists remain intact. Aix-en-Provence allows easy access to Paris, Geneva, London and other major European cities. With Italy and Spain only hours away by train, Aix-en-Provence is ideally located for students planning to travel during vacation periods.
College of Staten Island, CUNY
Stephen Ferst
Executive Director
Questions? Contact me
studyab@csi.cuny.edu
Tel:(718) 982-2100
This program is sponsored and administered by the College of Staten Island CUNY.
View the Spring and Fall Course List - future terms will have a similar course offering.
The Institute for American Universities (IAU) in Aix-en-Provence, France is chartered by the Board of Regents of The State University of New York and was founded in 1957 under the auspices of the Universitè d'Aix-Marseille. It is one of the oldest and largest education abroad programs of its type in Europe.
Student Life
Aix’s location provides numerous travel opportunities 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.
Field study trips are also embedded into many courses; several others are organized by IAU 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.
Study Abroad - Early Start Program
Students are invited to join IAU for an optional week-long, early-start program before their fall or spring semester abroad. Students studying in France or Spain are encouraged to participate. Please review the weekly schedule for the Early Start Program in Aix-en-Provence as an example to learn more!
Students can expect to:
· Earn one course credit
· Jump-start the French or Spanish immersion process and ease into the new and exciting culture
· Gain confidence in their language skills and feel comfortable in everyday communication with locals
· Participate in a hands-on environment with small classes and personal attention
· Learn to navigate the city of Aix-en-Provence or Barcelona through local excursions in a fun and relaxed setting
· Attend lectures on local culture to get the most out of their abroad experience
· Begin their French or Spanish accommodation a week early
· Learn important intercultural differences such as body language, etiquette, do’s and don’ts, French or Spanish culture and housing expectations, stereotypes and misunderstandings
· Meet local and foreign students through IAU
· Learn where to buy the best croissant or paella in town
· Become a French or Spanish insider!
Housing
IAU prioritizes homestay placements for students due to the cultural and language advantages they offer; however, given the changes in availability and willingness in host families, it is important that students maintain flexibility and an open mind when it comes to housing placements. Moreover, as a result of the reduced number of families available to host students at this time, it will be necessary to place some students in student residence apartments. Students should be prepared that they may not receive their first preference for housing. Note that the costs of all meals, laundry, and cleaning supplies for the student residence apartment are the responsibility of the student.
Students are housed in the homes of French host families when possbile. Living in a French home is ideal as it provides an immediate introduction to life in Southern France. 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 six dinners a week are provided by the host family. Students are responsible for lunches.
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. You can request to be placed with another IAU roommate in the host family setting.
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.
Duration
Early Start Program Arrival (optional) |
Saturday, January 13 |
Arrival |
Saturday, January 20 |
Orientation |
Monday, January 22 - Tuesday, January 23 |
Classes Begin |
Wednesday, January 24 |
Exam Period |
Monday, March 4 - Friday, March 15 |
Spring Break |
Saturday, March 16 - Sunday, March 24 |
Last Day of Class |
Friday, April 26 |
Exam Period |
Monday, April 29 - Friday, May 3 |
Departure |
Sunday, May 5 |
Early Start Program Arrival (optional) |
Saturday, August 24 |
Arrival |
Saturday, August 31 |
Orientation |
Monday, September 11 - Tuesday, September 2 |
Classes Begin |
Wednesday, September 4 |
Exam Period |
Monday, October 7 - Friday, October 18 |
Fall Break |
Saturday, October 26 - Sunday, November 3 |
Last Day of Class |
Friday, December 6 |
Exam Period |
Saturday, December 7 & |
Departure |
Thursday, December 12 |
Eligibility Requirements
- Minimum class standing - students must have completed at least one semester (minimum 12 semester credit hours) of college-level coursework at the time of application.
- 2.5 GPA or higher
- Students must be at least 18 years of age
Entry Requirements
France requires a visa for students studying during the spring or fall semesters. Please allow ample time (6-8 weeks) to apply for your visa starting with the Campus France visa application. Upon acceptance, you will be provided with detailed instructions on the visa application process. Additional information is available on the IAU Passports & Visa page.
Applications to Include
- Official transcripts
- One letter of recommendation from a teacher who knows the applicant from a classroom setting
- Statement of purpose
Application Deadlines
Fall: March 15
Spring: September 25
Have you talked with your study abroad advisor about your home institution's application process? Your institution's deadline might be earlier than the CCIS program application deadline. Check now to make sure all of your material is submitted on time!
"I came to Aix. I spoke French. My ideas became realities and experience became my teacher. I am ready to never stop traveling!"
"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!"
Combine studio work, an intensive interdisciplinary art criticism seminar, liberal arts, humanities, and social science courses at the IAU College, French language study, and excursions to European museums and cities, including Paris, Giverny, and Venice.
Situated near the Mediterranean coast, a walk through the streets is a lesson in artistic control, in form, composition, rhythm, and beauty. The program combines French language study with a range of liberal arts courses taught in both English and French.
IFALPES, the Institut Français des Alpes specializes in the teaching of French language courses. Known as the "Venice of the Alps" with canals, Old Town, lake, skiing, castles, restaurants, Annecy is a bustling city all year.