France: IAU College Aix-en-Provence
Study abroad in France at IAU College in Aix-en-Provence.
IAU College offers students the opportunity to learn about French language and culture while taking a variety of courses in English and living in the picturesque town of Aix-en-Provence in southern France, close to Marseilles and the French Riviera.
Why study abroad in France?
“I absolutely adored my time abroad in Aix-en-Provence. I look back on this experience with a light heart, and will forever be grateful for my time there.” - Rollins Study Abroad Alum
Academic Information
Students can opt to participate, at no additional cost, in the Early Start Program , a week long 1-credit program before the start of the semester which includes cultural activities and language practice.
Courses
All IAU College semester students are required to enroll in one French language or culture course taught in French. In addition, students have the option of choosing from different program tracks as follows.
Full French Immersion Courses (for French minors)
- French Honors Program
- Designed for students with demonstrated advanced-level French.
- Students take four courses in French including language courses, one content course, chosen by the student, and an additional seminar-style class that integrates course themes with current sociocultural-political events in France.
- Required: Four semesters of college-level French and GPA of at least 3.0.
- Additional advanced courses in French in a variety of subject areas are available at local French universities.
Business Administration Track
- The School of Business & International Relations
- Students take two mandatory core courses in Business Administration and two other content courses taught in English.
Fine Arts Track
- The School of Art
- Students take two mandatory core courses in Fine Arts and two other content courses taught in English in areas such as art history, fine arts, and fashion.
- IAU offers a wide variety of fine arts courses including (but not limited to) painting, drawing, photography, creative writing, and art history.
General or Open Track
- Listed as Humanities and Social Sciences on IAU's website
- Students select courses from the wide range of offerings at IAU including options in the social sciences, the humanities, business and/or the arts.
- All courses have an emphasis on Provence, France, and Europe.
- Full List of IAU Courses
J-Term Course Option (Spring Only)
Spend the first 3-weeks of the semester participating in an intensive academic traveling seminar offered prior to the start of the traditional 15-week spring semester. Contact IP for more information as scholarship opportunities for this experience are available.
Transfer of Credit
- Students participating in this program are required to take at least 15 credit hours.
- All courses on this program appear on the Rollins transcript as transfer credits and the grades are factored into the Rollins GPA.
- It can take up to three months for grades to be processed.
- Students can take major and minor courses abroad (with approval from the academic department) and can also take competencies and rFLA200-level seminars abroad (with approval from the Registrar).
Compare Our Two France Programs
What It’s Like to Study Abroad in France
Housing
Most IAU housing is located within 25-30 minutes’ walking distance of IAU’s buildings. Aix-en-Provence is a very pedestrian-friendly city and students should expect to do a great deal of walking every day.
Homestay
- Standard housing option for the program.
- Single or shared room, own key, and treated as an independent adult.
- Most of the hosts have been with the program for many years and IAU places students only with hosts who have been highly rated by past participants.
- Students can express their preferences for a more engaged family or a more independent experience.
- Breakfasts and 6 dinners are included in the homestay at no additional cost.
Semi-independent Homestay
- Limited availability and prioritized for students with severe food allergies or food restrictions.
- Similar to a homestay EXCEPT Students are responsible for buying groceries and preparing their own meals in the homestay kitchen.
Student Residence Apartments
- Limited availability and prioritized for students with registered housing accommodation needs, mobility concerns, severe allergy, or other wellness concerns.
- Bedrooms are typically double or triple occupancy.
- No meals are included: students are responsible for groceries and preparing meals in the fully equipped and shared kitchen.
Meals
When living in a French homestay, students will be on a demi-pension “plan" for no additional cost. This includes daily breakfast and six dinners per week. Students eat lunches and one dinner out at the many wonderful cafes and restaurants in Aix. The other housing options have no meals provided.
Activities
- IAU College offers cultural activities including a lecture series, social events, events connecting students with French students from the University of Aix, wine tasting, cooking workshops and more!
- Students can take advantage of the beautiful location of Provence and go biking, hiking, take dancing classes, and engage in other outdoor activities.
- The students will also have a French partenaires linguistiques that will show students around the city and answer any questions they might have.
Excursions
- The program usually includes a field trip to Nice/Monaco/Antibes. In both fall and spring, the program includes day trips to Provence, Loire Valley, and Normandy.
- Some courses include specific field trips to locations related to the course. Past trips have included the Alps, Morocco, Barcelona & Amsterdam.
Things to Consider
Students with mobility disabilities may find accessibility and accommodations different from the United States. Check the US Department of State Travelers with Disabilities specific to the country, Mobility International USA, and the IP Your Identity Abroad page in MyRollins for resources.
Program Calendar: Fall 2024
| Dates | |
|---|---|
| Aug 24 | Early Start Arrival |
| Aug 31 | Regular Arrival |
| Sept 1 | Orientation |
| Sept 3 | Classes Begin |
| Oct 14 | Midterm |
| Oct 26 | Fall Break |
| Dec 6 | Last Day of Class |
| Dec 9 | Exam Period |
| Dec 12 | Closing Ceremony |
| Dec 13 | Departure |
Program Calendar: Spring 2025
| Dates | |
|---|---|
| Jan 18 | Optional Early Start Program Arrival |
| Jan 25 | Required Arrival Date |
| Jan 26-27 | Orientation |
| Jan 28 | First Day of Classes |
| Mar 17-28 | Mid-Term Exams |
| Mar 29-Apr 6 | Spring Break |
| May 2 | Last Day of Classes |
| May 5-9 | Final Exams |
| May 10 | Departure |
Requirements for Admission
- Exceptional Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors
- Clean record with the Office of Community Standards and good academic and college standing
- Professional application: materials are submitted on-time, are edited before submission, and are thorough and thoughtful
- Minimum 2.5 GPA
- No previous French required unless applying to the Honors Program and/or internship track
- Required advising session (30 minutes) as part of the application process. Visit MyRollins to schedule an advising appointment.
Additional Requirements for the Internship
- Strong resume, cover letter, and successful internship interview.
- Priority given to students in the French Honors Program and Business School tracks.
- Minimum of 4 semesters of college-level French.
- Some majors have specific course pre-requisites for the internship; contact your faculty advisor or International Programs for more information.
Getting There
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Flight
- Students arrange their own flight. Marseille is the closest airport to Aix-en-Provence and IAU provides a check-in at the airport if students arrive on within a specified time window on the arrival date.
- For information on ground transportation options visit IAU's pre-departure website.
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Orientation
The orientation program introduces students to the program, Aix-en-Provence, the other students on the program, and the program staff, including the Housing and Academic directors.
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Visa
- U.S. citizens must obtain a visa from a French consulate in the US prior to departure.
- The French visa process is complex and lengthy and involves an online component as well as an in-person visit to the consulate.
- For general information about the visa process and visas for non-US citizens, see our Passports & Visas Page in MyRollins.
Costs
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Program Fee
Most Rollins financial aid and scholarships will apply to the semester abroad.
Tuition: $30,290
Housing: $5,115
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Also Includes
Orientation, all course-related field trips, on-site transportation, program administration, and emergency insurance.
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Estimated Additional Costs
Transportation: Round-trip airfare from FL $1,300
Transportation from Marseille airport or Aix-en-Provence TGV station to the Aix gare routière: $70
Meals/food not included: $1,030
US Passport: $165
Visa fee: $280 plus cost of travel to nearest VFS Global Center
Books, course materials, supplies: $50
Personal expenses: $940
Federal student loan fees if applicable: $40
Professional licensure, certification or credentials costs: $0 -
Scholarships
Scholarships based on financial need are available to off-set costs associated with international airfare and other costs associated with study abroad. Students can apply for scholarships through the Rollins program application. Additional scholarships including work study are also available through the IAU. IAU's Pell Grant Plus Program provides $3,000 toward a semester program for Pell grant recipients.
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Living and Working
Having a credit card while abroad is very helpful. France has a comparable cost of living to the United States. Students are able to work part-time on a student visa while in France.
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