Aix-en-Provence Campus - Overview

IAU's global flagship campus is in Aix-en-Provence, a charming university town located in the southern region of France. The city of Aix (pronounced like the letter "X") provides traditional French culture in an intimate setting, while offering the appeal and elegance of a large metropolis. The historic town is known for its beloved painter, Paul Cézanne, who painted the surrounding rolling landscape, including Mont Sainte-Victoire. Local field studies during both semester and summer programs provide students with an enhanced awareness of Provençal culture while giving them a unique and unparalleled French experience. While abroad, students explore Aix and the surrounding regions through courses, field studies, and cultural activities. IAU’s campus in Aix is centrally located in the historic part of town just a few doors down from local French universities, shops, and cafes.

Academic Programs

Study abroad students choose to enroll in one of the following programs on based on their academic interests:

General Studies Program – This program enables students to choose from the wide variety of course offerings to fulfill many of their general education requirements and complete major and minor requirements linked to areas in the humanities, social sciences, education, and the arts.
Internship Program
French Honors Program
French Language and Culture Certificate

Translation and Publishing Certificate

Marchutz Core Art Program - Plein Air Painting

Schools

IAU's academic structure ressembles that of an American institution. Students can select their courses from a wide variety of disciplines which are housed in one of IAU's four schools:

The School of Humanities and Social Sciences	The Donna Dillon Manning School of Global Affairs
The School of Art	Centre d'Études Françaises

Disciplines

Anthropology, Arabic, Archaeology, Art, Art History, Business, Communication Studies, Creative Writing, Environmental Studies, Economics, Education, English, Film Studies, Finance, French, Geography, History, Hospitality, International Relations, Literature, Linguistics, Management, Marketing, Mediterranean Studies, Museum Studies, Music, Philosophy, Photography, Political Science, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology, Theatre, Wine Studies.

Terms

Fall Semester, Spring Semester, Academic Year, Summer, January Term, Custom Programs

Field Studies and Study Tours

Over the course of their time abroad, students can expect to participate in field study trips associated with specific classes, where faculty use the city of Aix-en-Provence as their classroom. These field studies include visits to museums, historical and cultural sites, and local businesses. Academic study tours may include Paris, Geneva, Arles, Isle sur la Sorgue, Fontaine de Vaucluse, Les Baux de Provence, Avignon, Marseille, and Nîmes. Some courses may include field studies to other parts of France, Europe, and North Africa.

Students can also participate in a variety of activities and study tours that enrich the academic and cultural experience of the program, which may be day trips or weekend study tours to other cities or international destinations. Cultural activities include visits to world-famous locations, cooking classes and wine tastings, language exchanges with local students, and thematic walking tours to familiarize students with different areas of the city.

Included cultural excursion examples (subject to change and depending on season):

La Ciotat and Parc du Mugel
Le Luberon
Les Baux de Provence & Fontaine de Vaucluse
Moustiers & Gorges du Verdon

Student Life

Students have opportunities to participate in weekly student life activities, which may include lectures, open-mic nights, cooking classes, language partner exchanges, talent shows, wine tastings, and other cultural events with IAU students and students from the local French universities. IAU also has an on-campus Wellness Program that gives students access to a staff psychologist and counselor. IAU onsite staff have regular office hours that are available to students as drop-ins or by appointment.