Study Abroad in Aix-en-Provence, France with IAU

Begin the Adventure Today.

IAU’s global flagship campus is in Aix-en-Provence, a 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 charm and elegance of a large metropolis. The historic town is known for its beloved painter, Paul Cézanne, who painted the surrounding rolling landscape. Local excursions 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.

   

Quick Facts About Studying in Aix

Terms: Fall Semester, Spring Semester, Academic Year, Summer, J-Term

Schools: Centre d’Études Françaises, School of Art, School of Business & International Relations, School of Humanities & Social Sciences

Specialized Programs: Marchutz Core Art Program, Mediterranean Core Art Program, French Honors Program, Business & International Relations Program, Wine Studies Certificate Program

Disciplines:  Anthropology, Archaeology, Art, Art History, Business, Communication Studies, Creative Writing, Environmental Science, Economics, Education, Film Studies, Finance, French, Geography, History, Literature, Management, Marketing, Political Science, Philosophy, Photography, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology, Wine Studies

Internships: Adapting to a new culture involves not only learning the language and culture but also gaining a better understanding of the work environment and how methods and habits may differ from the student’s home setting. Students in the Business and French Honors Program will receive priority placement in internships and can expect to earn three credits.

Student Life: Students have opportunities to participate in student-focused events such as movie nights, cooking classes, activities at a local student center, talent shows, Latin dance nights, and wine tastings with other IAU students and students from the local French universities.

Field Studies & Study Tours enable students to expand their understanding of Provence. The cost of field studies and study tours is included in the program fee and, as such, students are strongly encouraged to participate. Students travel to areas in the region on field study tours that complement classroom learning. 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 include field studies to other parts of France, Europe, and North Africa.

IAU has an on-campus Wellness Program that gives students access to a staff psychologist. IAU staff have office hours that are available to students as drop-ins or by appointment.

Housing: A French homestay is considered the best form of housing because it provides an immediate introduction to life in this new place. It is an incomparable opportunity for those who seek knowledge that is neither superficial nor secondhand. It provides an introduction into the community and is a great incentive for learning the language. IAU’s hosts come from a cross section of society; they belong to no particular professional or social milieu, but all are carefully chosen, with many having hosted American students for several years. Most of the homestays are approximately a 15-to-35-minute walk from classes. When living in French homes, students are on a demi-pension plan, which includes daily breakfast and six dinners per week.

“I learned to see the world through a non-American lens, and it was extremely eye-opening for me. It was definitely the most worthwhile experience I've ever had. There's nothing about my college career that I loved more than my experience at IAU.” – Manar Z., Baylor University