Study Abroad Programs in France: Aix-en-Provence and Avignon

Aix-en-Provence, France; Avignon, France Institute for American Universities (IAU)
IAU is a sponsored program by Carnegie Mellon and is one for which Carnegie Mellon will apply a student's financial aid and/or scholarships to the cost of the study abroad program. We recommend that students who are in their first two years of language study, choose the Aix Center; students in their third or fourth year of study choose the Avignon Center.

Overview
All IAU programs offer year, semester (15 week) and summer (6 week) study options. Global fees include tuition, books, insurance, activities including excursions in southern France and housing with a French host where students are on a modified demi-pension style (all breakfasts and 6 dinners per week, vacations included). Each center offers wireless internet access, libraries, small classes, all in historic surroundings.

Aix-en-Provence
There are two program options in Aix:  a liberal arts program called the Aix Center and The Marchutz School of Art,located minutes from the famous Montagne Sainte Victoire painted by Cézanne. At the Aix Center, most of the courses are in English and help fulfill General Education requirements. Some courses are also taught in French. The Center is located right in the midst of the old city, across from other Institutions of Higher Learning from the French university system. The association of painting and drawing at the Marchutz school of Art with the humanities and social sciences courses at the Aix center offer incredible opportunities to BHA students. Courses offered in English range from business and history to art, psychology, literature, etc.  In French, courses are in language (all levels) and in literature as well as one each in history and political science.

Avignon
The Avignon Center is located within the historical center of Avignon, steps away from the Palais des Papes and within walking distance of the French university where Avignon students can take courses for credit or audit. Soon Avignon students will also be able to attend the Conservatoire national de musique. Courses are offered in history, economics, literatures, philosophy, aesthetics, visual arts, art history, architecture and archaeology, political science, theater are taught in French by professors from the French university as well as from IAU. 

In summertime, both the Aix and Avignon centers focus their activities and curriculum around the local festivals: art lyrique in Aix and the theater in Avignon.

For More Information
Institute for American Universities
Programs in Aix-en-Provence/Avignon
Phone: (800) 221-2051
Email: usa@iaufrance.org
Web: http://www.iaufrance.org

Other Study Abroad Scholarships
To facilitate study abroad, the Department of Modern Language offers two scholarships for majors, double majors or self-defined majors in the Department of Modern Languages. Each year, a $2,000 scholarship for semester or year study abroad and a $500 scholarship for summer study abroad are awarded students for application toward tuition, books, room and board, and other expenses for any accredited study abroad program. Click for more information about these awards, or contact Anne Green, Chair of the Scholarship Committee.

Additional campus resources may be helpful for students who are evaluating whether to pursue a study abroad program:

Visit the university's Study Abroad page:
http://www.studentaffairs.cmu.edu/oie/sab/index.cfm

View the university's Office of International Education:
http://www.studentaffairs.cmu.edu/oie/