Location/Semester:
Aix-en-Provence & Avignon, France
Fall Semester
Host Institution/Contact Information
Saint Mary's College of California with the
Institute for American Universities
Lorien Romito, Associate Director
Center for International Programs
Saint Mary's College of California
Tel: 925.631.4107
Fax: 925.631.4382
Email: lorien.romito3@stmarys-ca.edu
Website of Host Institution:
www.stmarys-ca.edu/studyabroad
Program/University Overview
The institute for American Universities is one of the oldest education abroad
programs in Europe. It provides students with academic program of intellectual
substance and international focus in the fertile foreign setting of southern
France. Founded in 1957, IAU offers a compelling combination - the assurance
of a rigorous American form of education thoroughly integrated into all that
is exceptional and powerful in French culture. In smaller cities like Aix and
Avignon, where Americans are not quite so common a sight, it is easier to meet
residents and other university students spontaneously, and to speak French.
A variety of academic options accommodate beginning, intermediate to advance
/ bilingual French speakers. You will learn about French traditions and gain
insight into the culture through your homestay family.
Website of Program/University:
www.iaufrance.org
Unique Aspects of Program:
Being a university town, Aix provides
a natural intellectual environment from which the Institute for American Universities
benefits and to which it contributes. The many concerts, summer festivals,
libraries, museums, bookstores, markets, and cafés have earned Aix its
reputation as one of France's most engaging cities. This is a city whose diverse
offerings are easily accessible for students-it is small enough that one can
walk across the main part of town in 15 minutes. Aix is emphatically not, however,
a sleepy village. It bustles with pedestrians, cars, mopeds, and the voices
of its inhabitant.
A bustling city steeped in history and the sophistication of modern France, Avignon is both very provençal and contemporary. A major art and cultural capital, it is a university town with a vibrant, energetic pace. Avignon is thirty minutes from the Mediterranean Sea and under three hours from Paris by TGV.
Country and/or City Information
Aix-en-Provence is the city
of art, and a city of light and activity. Aix is also a home of art schools
and several universities, including some American, attracting a youthful population
that sparks the atmosphere. The center of Aix is the old town (vieille ville),
ringed by a circle of boulevards and squares. Cours Mirabeau is the center
and the heart of Aix. The Cours Mirabeau is a beautiful tree-lined avenue,
with one side lined with wonderful terrace cafés
and bookshops. Large plane trees overhang the length of the avenue, giving
day-long shade on hot days.
Admission Requirements:
Aix-en-Provence
3.0 GPA, Open to sophomores, juniors or seniors.
Avignon
3.0 GPA, At least two years of college French or the equivalent, Open to sophomores,
juniors or seniors.
Courses Offered:
The courses are in the areas of; Archaeology, Art, Art History, Business,
Drama, Economics, Education, French Civilization, French Language, French Literature,
History, Literature, Music, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology
Housing:
Students are generally housed in the homes of French
host families, though independent living arrangements can be made when necessary.
Living in a French home is considered the best form of housing because it provides
an immediate introduction to life in this new place. "Family" should
not be interpreted too narrowly. Increasingly, about 50% of IAU's host families
are childless couples or divorced women with children who enjoy having a student
living with them. Host families come from a cross-section of society; they
belong to no particular professional or social milieu, but all are carefully
chosen and many have hosted American students for several years. Students find
that speaking French at home is the single greatest factor in increasing their
facility with the language.
Living in a French home is seen universally as an invaluable opportunity not found in many study abroad programs. Naturally, all students must accept the constraints and responsibilities that such arrangements entail. Whenever possible, IAU accommodates students' stated housing preferences.
Daily continental breakfasts and most dinners are taken in the student's French home. Students are responsible for lunches. There is a multitude of affordable cafés, brasseries, small sandwich and grocery shops from which to choose. Many other food markets are available around town during the week.
Cost:
If you are a student at one of the U.S. Lasallian universities or colleges,
you will remain enrolled at your school and pay tuition and program fees there.
Tuition is based on your campus tuition rates and may include an additional
surcharge depending on the program. Contact the person on your campus responsible
for study abroad.
Scholarship Information:
N/A
Academic Calendar: Fall 2007
Arrival September 8
Orientation September 10
Classes begin September 11
Mid-semester exams October 16-27
Fall Break October 27-Nov. 4
Last day of class December 18
Final exams December 19-22
Departure December 23
Application Deadline
March 30, 2007 for Fall 2007 study abroad
Application Details:
Must complete Lasallian Consortium application. There are no additional applications for this program.