Interested in pursuing an American degree in France? Learn about options through IAU's degree-granting institution - The American College of the Mediterranean.

Bachelor's and Master's Programs

Parent Information


We are thrilled your student is planning to study abroad with IAU!

This is an exciting time for students and their families. Students applying to IAU will be treated as adults, and we expect them to take on the full responsibility of completing the IAU application, arranging travel logistics and completing pre-departure requirements. We understand that parents also have questions throughout this process, and you're encouraged to review the information provided. We look forward to welcoming your student abroad!

 

        Mailing Addresses

        Communicating with your student

        Parent Testimonials

        Visa and Travel Information

        Safety and Security Information

        STEP Program

        Emergency Information

        Payment Information

        Helpful Pre-departure Tips

        Program Fees

        Accreditation & Distinctions

        Re-Entry Information 

        FAQs

        Housing Information

        General Resources & 

        Government Resources

        Contact Information- US Office


Mailing Addresses

Mail for students in Aix should be sent by regular airmail to:

ACM-IAU
8, rue de Littéra
BP 30970
13604 Aix-en-Provence CEDEX 1
France

Should a package be sent by FedEx to students in Aix, the following address must be used:

ACM-IAU
8 Rue de Littéra
13100 Aix-en-Provence France

Mail for students in Barcelona should be sent by regular airmail to:

IAU
Carrer d'Ausiàs Marc, 25
08010 Barcelona, Spain

In general all packages sent from the US are subject to duty charges. These charges may be avoided if the sender clearly marks packages "Articles usagés pour étudiants" (for France) or "Artículos usados para estudiantes" (for Spain). The package should also be declared as a gift on the small green customs sticker.

In either case, the value of a package's contents should be declared as $25 or less if you do not wish to pay customs.

Students in Paris can have mail sent directly to the host family address, which you can obtain from your student. Please contact us via email if you need to send something, and you will be instructed on how to proceed.

Communication

It is important that students stay in touch with their families and friends while abroad. IAU suggests setting up a mode of communication prior to the student's departure as well as establishing a reasonable expectation for communicating while abroad. 

Cell Phones: Students may use their unlocked smart phone abroad by purchasing a simcard and credits. This allows students to use a pay-as-you go plan as well as parents to contact their student as long as they have a minimum amount of credit on the phone. Students may also activate an international plan from their US carrier. Please contact your cell phone company to learn more about international calling rates. 

Students can use wifi in their host families and hotels for services such as Skype, Google Chat (Gchat), Viber and WhatsApp. These services are free when used in a wifi zone. Parents can set up accounts and connect with their student prior to departure.

Country Codes for Calling Internationally
When dialing internationally from the United States, a prefix and a country code is added to the phone number. The prefix to dial out of the US is 011. If you have a smartphone, it may appear as +.

The country code for France is 33
The country code for Spain is 34
The country code for Morocco is 212

You can find a complete list of country calling codes here.

For example, to call France, you first dial the prefix 011, then the country code 33, then the phone number without the first 0 included. If the phone number is 01 23 45 67 89, you would dial: 011 33 1 23 45 67 89

Please note that the ring tone for international calls is different than the ring tone in the US. It sounds more like a busy signal.

Parent Testimonials

"Happiness is picking your daughter up at the airport and then spending the hour-long drive home listening to her tell you about the wonderful time she had and how much she had learned and experienced.  Thanks IAU!" - Miriam L.

"I can't tell you what a fantastic time my daughter experienced at IAU College in Aix-en-Provence. It has proven to be an incredible experience for her. She loves the program, professors and her host mother is just wonderful! Her grandmother and I visited the south of France a few weeks ago and we were thrilled to spend time with my daughter. She was our tour guide in Aix-en-Provence and the city is truly amazing. We especially enjoyed the Cours Mirabeau with its open air markets, shops and fountains. We also had a 'picnique' at the base of Mt. St. Victoire, and we even managed to climb part of it!" - Michelle S.

"My daughter had a wonderful experience. The family she was placed with was especially wonderful. She learned a lot educationally, socially and emotionally. Thank you!" - Elizabeth O.

STEP

Smart Traveler Enrollment Program - IAU recommends that all students register with the U.S. State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). By enrolling in this system, the U.S. Embassy can keep students updated with important safety and security announcements.  It will also help family and friends get in touch during an emergency.  For more information and to register, please visit the STEP website.

Pre-Departure Tips

There are many ways parents can support their student during the study abroad process. Below are some of IAU's recommendations.

Before departure, we recommend obtaining a copy of important documents to be kept at home. If these items are lost or stolen, this will make the replacement process much easier. 

    • Passport
    • Plane tickets
    • Credit and debit cards
    • Indentification (eg. driver's license)
    • Insurance information- Students receive a copy of this information with their acceptance letter
    • IAU acceptance letter
    • Prescriptions

Create a communication plan. Schedule a time after arrival when contact should be made. Please keep in mind that students may not have access to the internet or a cell phone for the first few days upon arrival. 

Learn about your student's host country. For example, educate youself on the time zone, currency and season differences. This will allow you to better relate to your child while they are abroad.

Have an emergency money plan in place. In case of an emergency, please reference IAU's Emergency website.

Before departure, help your student make their bank aware of where they will be traveling so that they don't suspect fraud or theft. It may also be helpful to have the name of someone staying in the U.S. on each account, one who would be able to make authorized changes in case an issue arises that needs to be solved in the U.S.

Ensure that someone in your family has a valid passport in the event that it is necessary to travel overseas in an emergency.

Confirm that you are aware of any travel plans before and after your student's official program start and end dates.

Recognize the expected cultural adjustment your student will experience while they are abroad and when they return.

Re-Entry Information

General Resources

Aix-en-Provence, France
Barcelona, Spain
WSA Travel Resources for students abroad: hotels, tours and more

Government Resources

Travel Warnings
If you have been a Victim of a Crime
If your Passport has been Lost or Stolen
Passport Information
Students Abroad
Traveler’s Health
The World Factbook

Frequently Asked Questions

Finances

IAU encourages students to speak with their home institution's study abroad and financial aid offices to learn about available scholarships. Students can also apply for an IAU scholarship. Many third-party scholarships are available as well. Students may also be eligible for an On-Site Professional Development Grant.

Students should be able to use their credit and/or debit card while abroad. Parents and students must contact their bank to learn about fees for charges and withdrawals as well as to inform their bank of their travel plans to avoid having the card blocked. Students should note the international number on the back of their card to call in case of loss or theft.

Academics

Students should speak with their academic advisor or study abroad advisor regarding the transfer of IAU College credit. Students should expect their academic program at IAU to match the depth and vigor of courses at their home institution. 

Health and Safety Abroad

The health and safety problems that students encounter abroad are similar to those experienced in the US. Often times it's a student's own behavior that directly relates to most injuries and illnesses abroad. In the event of injury or illness, IAU staff are available to assist your student.

Students should take precautions, listen to advice, and always be aware of their surroundings the same way they would on their home campus.

IAU employs a full-time staff psychologist who is available to any student as part of the Wellness Program. Students are encouraged to be in touch with IAU prior to their arrival on campus should they expect a need to meet with a staff member while abroad. 

Benefits of Study Abroad

Students who participate in study abroad are attractive to employers because they have a deeper, broader and less nationalistic education. The skills learned and refined while abroad are applicable to the global work environment. Many students also grow as a person, realize their interests, and find what it means to be an American as a result of studying abroad. As a result, students may return home as independent thinkers, self-confident and stronger intellectually with greater personal maturity.