Great Cities of Europe

Aix-en-Provence, Amsterdam, Paris, Prague, Rome
Transform your winter break into a whirlwind of discovery and culture in France, Czech Republic, Italy, and the Netherlands!  

 

Explore major cities across Europe using literature and the arts as a guide to understanding the rise and establishment of the urban setting.

 

January Term corresponds to Winter Break. It starts at the very end of December and goes until about January 15. On this experiential Study Tour, you'll travel through some of Europe's most interesting cities with a group of peers, while earning credit for one course.

 

Through readings and media studies, students examine the artistic process from inspiration to creation. Site visits and guided tours then allow students to experience the historical, geographical, and demographical foundations that inform the fictional representations of European cities and their impact on perceptions of those cities today.

 

Students have the opportunity to learn from and exchange their observations with experts from IAU as well as distinguished on-site scholars and local guides in order to frame their own perceptions of the cities and these cities’ representation through the arts.

 

This trip is capped at 30 students. Early application is recommended. Admissions are rolling, so you can apply anytime! 

Gonser,+Cassandra+18
image-asset - 2024-05-16T173418.283
IMG_4531
image-asset (83)
Kristina+MacLennan+-+Pofferjes+in+Amsterdam,+The+Netherlands
IMG_4762
IMG_4581
IMG_4814
IMG_4831

Program Details

Great Cities of Europe Overview

 

  • Cultural visits and guided travel to 5 cities across four countries.
  • Travel with a group of peers and professor/professors.
  • Curated on-site activities tailored to the study of the Great Cities of Europe.
  • Field study & guest lectures.
  • Visits to major cultural and historical sites, such as Musée d'Orsay and Paris Latin quarter, Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum, Rome's Colosseum, and many more.

Includes visits to the following cities:

  • Prague, Czech Republic
  • Paris, France
  • Aix-en-Provence, France
  • Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • Rome, Italy

View the itinerary: Great Cities of Europe

 

Some course readings and videos may need to be completed prior to your trip’s departure date. Before your trip start date, you will receive emails advising on you any readings or videos you need to complete before departure.

 

ASA reserves the right to cancel programs due to low enrollment. Students should consult with ASA before making travel plans or purchasing airfare. Itineraries, syllabi, and professors are tentative and subject to change. 

 

Course Information

All students will take the same interdisciplinary course, worth 3 US semester credits, and taught by the professor or professors traveling with you. Simply select the course code you want to receive credit for, and get course transfer pre-approval from your home institution beforehand.

  • Anthropology 301: The Artist and the City
  • Communications 375: The European City in the Visual Arts
  • European Studies 303: Europe and the Urban Space
  • Geography 201: Europe and its Cities
  • Literature 375: The European City in Literature

Course Syllabus

Credit Information & Eligibility

Language Requirement: None. Classes are in English.

 

Possible U.S. Credits: 3 semester credits (1 course). Classes are taken with other American students.

 

Final Transcript: Issued by IAU College.

 

Eligibility
  • Minimum GPA 2.50 (Students with a GPA between 2.20 and 2.49 will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Students with a GPA of 2.19 or lower will not be considered.)
  • Language requirement: None
  • At least 17 years of age
  • Must have graduated from high school
  • Transcript from most recent institution attended (unofficial is ok). If you have attended more than one institution, please submit a transcript from each institution.
  • ASA Application. To start a new application or continue an existing application, click here.
  • Scan of your valid passport that does not expire sooner than 6 months after the day you plan to return home from abroad. If you don’t have a valid passport, confirmation of an expedited passport application is required before you can be accepted into this program. Please submit your passport application by expedited service if you do not have a valid passport.

Costs & Dates

Program pricing and important dates.

Program dates are subject to change. Although date changes are rare, they are typically changes made by the host institution and are, therefore, outside of ASA's control. If any changes are made to your program dates, ASA is not responsible for fees or losses associated with changing or canceling your plane ticket, additional lodging and other travel costs, etc.

Please do not book a plane ticket until you are accepted to an ASA program and receive written notification of your program's arrival and departure date.

* Prices subject to change. Financial aid available.

ASA is a small program, but that’s what makes it so great. The personal attention can’t be beat and I made plenty of friends outside of the group.

Chelsea Francis

I would recommend ASA to other students because not only was it a great price for what you get, but it was so much fun and the site director was great.

Morgan Pecknold

ASA is a very thorough program. It is well organized and structured, yet allows for plenty of independent activity and personal responsibility. There were many times where I felt foreign, but I rarely felt like a tourist. I engaged in the culture with the ASA program, I didn’t just take a picture and a souvenir

Aaron Bannasch

Your Professors

Suzanne Canessa, PhD
Dr. Suzanne Canessa is a journalist and Professor of Literature, French, and Music at ACM since 2020. She holds a Bachelor in Musicology, a Master in Applied Languages (English and German), a Master in Comparative Literature, and a PhD in Musicology and Comparative Literature from Aix-Marseille University and the University of Tübingen (Presence of Johann Sebastian Bach in the 20th-century novel, which will be published by Peter Lang). She writes on a regular basis for La Marseillaise-Zébuline, Bachtrack, and Cult News about Music, Literature, Performing, and Visual Arts. Her work and research explore the ongoing and multimodal dialogue between Arts and Culture. She is fluent in French and English and advanced in German and Spanish.

 

Sophie Simon, PhD
Sophie Simon is a French Language instructor at ACM-IAU, teaching students at various levels and participating in custom programs during the summer and winter sessions. On the J-Term Great Cities of Europe program, she teaches European culture and literature, focusing on cities such as Aix, Marseille, Paris, Amsterdam, Prague and Rome. In addition to her teaching role, Sophie Simon assists with coordination and engagement at the Center for French Studies (CEF). With a dynamic approach to teaching, Sophie Simon is known for constantly creating new activities and visual learning material, and integrating digital applications to enhance student engagement. She adapts her teaching methods to cater to all learning styles (visual, auditory, kinesthetic), ensuring that each student receives a personalized learning experience. A particular area of focus for her is French phonetics and pronunciation, where she integrates simple techniques to help students develop clear and accurate spoken French. She is committed to regularly updating her programs based on students' feedback. She holds a Master’s degree in French as a Foreign Language (FLE) and a Master’s in Translation and Interpretation (Literary translation) from Aix-Marseille University, as well as a dual Bachelor’s degree in General Linguistics and Translation & Interpretation. Fluent in French, English, Spanish, and Czech, Sophie brings a diverse linguistic and cultural perspective to her teaching. Her academic background and international experience allow her to create a dynamic and engaging classroom environment, where students use their existing language skills to enhance their French learning and explore its cultural context.

Program Inclusions

What's included in your program fee.

What's Included

  • Exclusive "A WORLD OF CARE" Student Support Suite.
  • LODGING & PARTIAL BOARD in hotels (usually 3- or 4-star) for January Term trips. Rooms are shared with other students in your group (typically double or triple occupancy).
  • MEALS: Breakfast each day and some group lunches and/or dinners are included. Other meals are the student’s responsibility.
  • ENTRANCE FEES to all scheduled cultural activities and academic visits.
  • INTRA-PROGRAM TRANSPORTATION to and from each city.  Round trip airfare to/from your home country and the program start and end locations is NOT included.
  • TUITION for 1 class (3 semester credits).
  • ACADEMIC CREDITS: Students who receive pre-approval from their home institution can transfer the credits they earn to their home institution.
  • OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT: Final transcript is issued by IAU. Upon completion of the program, ASA will provide one free shipment of your final transcript to your U.S. institution.
  • ON-SITE SUPPORT: Students will travel with faculty and/or staff member(s) on-site, who can assist them with any academic or cultural difficulties they may encounter.
  • MEDICAL INSURANCE: Comprehensive international medical insurance is included. Click here for details on benefits and coverage.
  • VISA ADVISING: Students are ultimately responsible for obtaining any visa required for their term/host country, but ASA will provide detailed, helpful information upon acceptance about how to apply for a visa, if one is required for any of the countries visited during your program itinerary.
  • PRE-DEPARTURE HANDBOOK & ON-SITE ORIENTATION.
  • SUBSCRIPTION TO SAFETURE SAFETY-ENHANCING MOBILE APP.
  • SUBSCRIPTION TO MINDHAMOK: a 24-7 service designed to support your mental, physical, and social wellbeing throughout your program. You can find out more about mindhamok in our Pre-Departure Guide for All Programs

Not Included

  • Round trip airfare and travel expenses to and from the program start/end locations
  • Meals, except for those included with your program fees, as described above. The number of meals included varies depending on the trip.
  • Airport pick-up (Students will receive detailed instructions via email shortly before the program starts on how to get from the airport to the first group meeting point.)
  • Local transportation – e.g. taxis, subway, and bus fare, etc.
  • Personal expenses
  • Laundry
  • Textbooks and course materials.  You will receive a list of required books before departure, which can be ordered from Amazon.
  • Baggage fees, if your luggage is in excess of the airline’s Baggage Allowance (This refers to intra-European travel. One airline frequently used is RyanAir; other airlines may be used as well. Prepare to pack light to avoid baggage fees!)
  • Transportation back to the airport at the end of the program
  • Visa, if required (If a visa is required for any of the countries visited during your program itinerary, ASA will notify you in time for you to obtain it before your trip’s start date.)

Ready to Apply?

Take the next step in your study abroad journey. Contact our team to learn more about our programs and start your application today.

Apply Now