| Aix-en-Provence, France |
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Quick Facts
Why Aix-en-Provence?
City Description - Small city of 130,000Aix-en-Provence is many things; it is a center of culture, art, academics, and a place of amazing beauty. This small city of approximately 137,000 people is located in southern France in the region of Provence. Provence, one of the wealthiest regions in France, is bordered by the Mediterranean on its southern coast and offers hot summers and mild winters. Provence averages 300 days of sunshine a year, creating light and warmth throughout this southern region of France. The region's primary income is tourism, which is not at all unreasonable when one sees the beauty of the countryside and the small medieval towns. A booming information technology sector accounts for Provence's secondary income. The Provence region of France appeals to its inhabitants and to those who visit not only because of its beauty, but also because of its diversity in offerings. The ambiance of Provence ranges from the lively and crowded capital of Provence, Marseilles, to the quiet peacefulness of Avignon. Adventure can be found in a variety of ways; biking, walking, and paragliding are just some of the ways to enjoy your surroundings. In Aix, you can spend days walking the twisted cobblestone side streets or exploring the numerous fountain-filled, mansion- lined squares that make up this quaint city. The city's main cathedral, Cathedrale St-Sauveur, is one of the major attractions, as it exemplifies the major architectural periods spanning the 5th to the 18th centuries, including Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque styles. Also, the workplaces of Paul Cézanne and and subjects of his paintings can be found throughout the city and its environs. Founded in 123 BC as a military camp on hot springs that still flow today, Aix-en-Provence blends its past and the present with the help of its many students. Several French universities are located in Aix, including the Université de Provence Aix-Marseille I, Université de la Méditerranée Aix-Marseille II, and Université Paul Cézanne Aix-Marseille III. In addition to Aix's regular cultural offerings and nightlife, the summer months absolutely explode with music festivals. During the month of June, you can attend Musique dans la Rue (Music in the Street), a month full of free concerts, from classical to jazz to pop. In July, Aix hosts the Festival d'Aix-en-Provence, an international opera festival founded in 1948, which attracts opera lovers from all over the world. It features about three weeks of opera and classical music performances in a variety of locations in Aix, and sometimes master classes as well. Aix-en-Provence also has a fantastic culinary reputation. The world's top ranking producer of almonds, Aix is known for its trademark almond-shaped candy called Calisson. The freshest fruits and vegetables you can find, along with the famous Provencal lavendar soap and other goods made in the surrounding country, are sold at weekly open-air markets. An elegant university town, Aix-en-Provence offers something for everyone in addition to a great education. There are cafes, cinemas, restaurants, discotheques, museums, churches, monuments, bookstores, festivals and concerts to satisfy a wide range of interests. The IAU School of Humanities and Social SciencesFounded in 1957 under the auspices of l'Université d'Aix-Marseille, chartered by the Regents of the University of the State of New York, IAU is one of the oldest institutes in Europe for American study abroad students. Classes at The School of Humanities and Social Sciences are taught in English or in French. The curriculum is broad, offering archeology, art history, studio art, French language, literature, and civilization, European and international studies, social sciences, business, comparative literature, economics, education, government, history, philosophy, political science, and psychology. Students in the semester program take five 3-credit courses, and summer students take two 3-credit courses. Along with their electives, students are strongly encouraged to take at least one French language class, and many students take two. The Marchutz School of Fine ArtsThe Marchutz program is an intensive and well-rounded studio art program that allows students to also take one French class and one art history elective of your choosing. It is open to students with any level of French and any level of art background. The Marchutz School welcomes students with any level of studio art background - from students who are majoring in art to those who have never picked up a paintbrush. The fundamental principle of the Marchutz School is simple: the synthesis of sight (a perception of the world) and insight (a perception of art) can be the precursor to fresh, original painting. Students at the Marchutz School begin on this principle. They draw and paint - every day if possible. They work from models, children, musicians, and dancers. They interrelate figure drawing, portraiture, landscape and still-life with interpretative copies of master works, memory work, and sketch book journals. Painting and drawing, study in museums and reading/writing assignments challenge students to explore the correspondences between natural and artistic forms. Group and individual critiques are integral aspects of each student's process. Technique is developed in concordance with each student's vision and imagination. Individual projects give students the freedom to explore their unique concerns. The core of the Marchutz program consists of 6 studio painting and drawing credits, plus a 3-credit seminar all taught at the Marchutz School locale on the outskirts of Aix. Students additionally take two 3-credit elective courses at The School of Humanities and Social Sciences to complete an academic load of 15 credits. The elective courses may be chosen from any of the offerings at The School of Humanities and Social Sciences. Students who attend the Marchutz semester program take at least 9 credits of core art classes taught at The Marchutz School of Fine Arts, plus one French language course and one Art History elective of their choosing, taught at The School of Humanities and Social Sciences. Marchutz summer students take 2, 3-credit art courses and a French language "survival course," which is not for credit. Excursions are an integral part of the Marchutz program. Students visit small towns and villages of Provence, which in the past have included St. Remy, Arles, Luberon Valley villages of Bonnieux and Lacoste. In addition, the Marchutz program often takes students on a longer painting trip. Students have enjoyed such destinations as Paris, Giverny, and Venice. The French Honors Program at The School of Humanities and Social SciencesThe French Honors Program is designed for advanced French students and French majors as an opportunity to live and study in a 100% French-speaking environment. This program offers students full immersion into their classrooms, French homestays, excursions and optional internships. Students sign a contract to only speak French and will be spoken to only in French by IAU faculty and staff. They also keep a daily journal of thoughts, feelings and experiences in French. This journal is discussed in the weekly core class. There are Special receptions, cultural activites and excursions, all in French as well as a lecture series in French on topics such as politics, journalism and cultural history for those who participate. For more information about the French Honor's program, click here. The J-Term Traveling SeminarThe J-Term Traveling Seminar is an 18-day academic and cultural tour of 12 key cities in France, Morocco, Spain and Gibraltar, a British territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. The academic component consists of a series of briefings from leading European academic, literary and political personalities and experts on the European relationship with the Islamic world. Participants will attend daily lectures and meetings with distinguished scholars from IAU in addition to local guides and experts in the field of politics, history and culture.
Sites Visited include: France (Paris, Aix-en-Provence and Marseille), Morocco (Marrakesh, Casablanca and Rabat), Gibraltar, Spain (Sevilla, Granada, Cordoba, Toledo and Madrid)
For more information about the J-Term Traveling Seminar, click here.
The NightlifeAix is a college town full of cafes, clubs, bars, cinemas and everything else you would expect from a college town. Many students will meet out at one of numerous restaurants in town for a fantastic meal and a nice bottle of wine before heading out to jazz club, to see a movie, or to stroll the beautiful streets in the old part of the city. For those who want to get away, Marseille, the capital of Provence, is only 30-minute bus ride away and is filled with everything you would expect of the capital of one of the most glamourous areas of France. Costs and DatesClick here for Billing Information Aix-en-Provence, France - The IAU School of Humanities and Social Sciences, French Honors Program and J-Term Traveling Program
Aix-en-Provence, France - The Marchutz School of Fine Arts
What's Included - Aix-en-Provence - semester, academic year, and summer programs(For a list of what's included with the J-Term Traveling Seminar program, please click here.)
Not Included:
Click here for Billing Information NOTE: If you need a "Costs of Attendance" budget for your financial aid office, or simply need more details about the additional costs listed above, please email chelsea(at)academicstudies.com. Program CalendarClick here for program calendars FAQsIf you have questions about HOW TO APPLY and make sure your credits transfer back to your home university, please CLICK HERE. We encourage both prospective students and parents, as well as those who have already been accepted to an ASA program, to visit our INFORMATION LIBRARY. Here you will find tons of helpful info to help you know what to plan for and what to expect, such as:
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