Aix-en-Provence

Aix-en-Provence is located in the south of France in the region of Provence, along the Mediterranean Sea. Here, you can experience traditional French culture in an intimate, accessible setting.

Provence is a breathtaking mixture of rolling countryside and medieval towns and cities. Not only is it a place of amazing beauty, but it is also known for offering some of the best cuisine in the world, using the freshest local ingredients. Provence is one of the wealthiest regions of France, its famous resorts attracting tourists from all over the world. Bordered by the Mediterranean Sea, Provence has a beautiful, mild climate, and an average of 300 days of sunshine a year, creating a sense of light and warmth, as well as a very relaxed atmosphere.

A quaint yet elegant university town, Aix-en-Provence was founded by the Romans in 123 BC. It has been an important educational center in France since the 1400’s, a tradition that IAU carries on in their varied offerings for American students. Aix-en-Provence is also known for its beloved painter, Paul Cézanne, whose works were inspired by the landscape surrounding the city.

Summertime in Aix-en-Provence is filled with music, when two annual festivals gather world-class musicians and directors. You can find classical, jazz, and popular music emanating from outdoor theatres and venues throughout the city.

• All semester programs include 2 day excursions.
• The Marchutz School of Fine Arts Fall semester program includes 2 additional overnight excursions.
• The Marchutz School of Fine Arts Spring semester program includes 1 additional overnight excursion.
• 6-week summer programs include 2 day excursions.
• 3-week summer programs include 1 day excursion.
• The Marchutz School of Fine Arts summer program includes 3 total day excursions.
• Destinations may vary by term.

Past terms have included trips to:

• Le Luberon (day excursion) – Renowned for its natural beauty, Le Luberon is a typical Provençal countryside featuring quaint hilltop villages, stone houses, vineyards, olive groves, and fields of lavender and sunflowers. In the village of Lourmarin, a Renaissance chateau that was once a fortress now hosts concerts and art exhibitions in this very fashionable town.
• Moustiers Sainte Marie & Lac de Sainte Croix (day excursion) – Moustiers Sainte Marie is a medieval village where you can explore the picturesque streets and enjoy a fantastic panoramic view from a 12th century chapel. We’ll also visit the Lac de Saint Croix, a lake known for its beaches and water sports.
• Giverny / Venice (overnight trip- Marchutz School of Fine Arts only) – The Marchutz School of Fine Arts includes one unforgettable, multi-day painting trip every semester. Fall semester students typically enjoy a trip to Giverny, where they will paint and draw in Monet’s garden. Spring students typically visit Venice, where they will paint and draw along the famous canals and lagoon.

Did you go abroad with ASA and have a memorable experience we should add to this list? Contact us! We'd love to hear from you!

The optional Early Start Program begins one week before the semester starts and is designed to help students at any French level get the most out of their semester. Early Start is an opportunity for students to brush up on their French in a fun and relaxed environment. In addition, you’ll have an extra week to settle in and get adjusted to life in France. If you haven’t taken French in a while or are just feeling unsure about your language ability, the Early Start program will help you feel more comfortable. Students who participate in Early Start will earn 1 credit, consisting of 15 in-class hours.

EARLY START HIGHLIGHTS!

• Jump-start the language immersion process in a fun and relaxed setting
• Have extra time to ease into French culture and get to know the city of Aix-en-Provence
• Move into your housing a week early
• Earn one course credit
• Gain confidence in your language skills and feel more comfortable communicating with locals
• Small class sizes with lots of personal attention in an interactive, hands-on class environment
• Learn to navigate the city of Aix-en-Provence through local excursions
• French culture lectures so you can get the most out of your semester
• Learn about important culture differences, such as body language, etiquette, do’s and don’ts, French housing expectations, stereotypes and misunderstandings
• Meet local French and foreign students through IAU
• Learn where to buy the best croissantin town
• Become a French insider!

Semester or academic year students with an Advanced level of French have the option of earning 3 U.S. credits for an internship at IAU in Aix-en-Provence, France.

Summer students with an Advanced level of French have the option of earning 3 or 6 credits for an internship at IAU in Aix-en-Provence, France.

Internship opportunities are available in the following fields: 

• Commercial Development

• Community Management

• Communications

• Education

• Event Planning

• Human Resources

• Law

• Library Science

• Marketing

• Museum Science

• Research

• Public Relations

• Sales

• Social Media

• Support - Purchasing - Finance

• Theatre

• Tourism

• Translation

• Web Development & Animation

• And MORE!

Interested students must have completed at least 4 semesters of college French (or equivalent) and are asked to provide a CV (résumé) prior to the beginning of the semester. The placement process will begin after arrival with an interview during your first week abroad. Your placement will have a 10-day trial period to make sure it’s a good fit for both you and the company or organization. As this internship is credit-bearing, you will be required to write periodic reports throughout the semester. The cost of the internship is included with your ASA program fees! 

Included

• HOUSING in a French homestay or shared student apartment/residence hall .

• • Demi-Pension Homestay includes daily breakfast, 6 dinners per week, and 1 load of laundry per week.

  • Shared Apartment/Residence Hall includes access to a fully equipped kitchen. Access to coin operated shared laundry facilities or within walking distance to laundromat.

  • Semi-Independent Homestay includes access to host families fully equipped kitchen. 1 load of laundry per week.

• TUITION  at IAU for the maximum number of credits or courses indicated on the program course offerings page. Enrolling in more than the maximum number of credits/courses (if permitted by the host institution) will result in an additional fee. Some classes carry additional fees for materials or academic field trips which are NOT included. Estimated additional fees can be found on the program course offerings page.

• 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.

• TEXTBOOKS are included on loan and must be returned to IAU at the end of the term. For students enrolled in The Marchutz School of Fine Arts program, art supplies/materials for mandatory core art classes are included.

• EXCURSIONS: For students attending The School of Humanities and Social Sciences or the French Honors Program: 1 day excursion is included. For students attending The Marchutz School of Fine Arts, 1 overnight excursion is included on semester programs, and 1 day excursion is included on summer programs. Locations to be decided.

• CULTURAL ACTIVITIES in Aix-en-Provence (museum visits, walking tours, etc.)

• INTERNET ACCESS: Students will have free Internet access at their host institution and in their program housing.

• AIRPORT PICK-UP: Group ground transportation is provided from Marseille (MRS) airport for students who arrive on the official arrival date, by the designated time.

• SITE DIRECTOR: Students will have an on-site director to 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 their visa (if required for their term), but ASA will provide detailed, helpful information upon acceptance about which visa students will need and how to go about applying for one. Please click here and scroll down to “Student Visa Information” to find out if a visa is required for your program.

• 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 location

• Some courses carry additional fees for materials or academic field trips. Estimated additional fees can be found on the program course offerings page

• Local transportation

• Personal expenses

• Daily lunch; one dinner per week

• Meals on excursions

• Visa, if required

• Transportation from the airport if the student does not arrive on the official arrival date by the designated time

• Transportation back to the airport at the end of the program

For academic year students and those enrolling in more than one session, housing and other ASA services and benefits are not provided during the break between sessions. For academic year students only, medical insurance during winter break is included if it is required to get your visa.

If you need a budget or Costs of Attendance for your financial aid office, or if you simply want an estimate of the not-included costs listed above. 

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 dates.