Options for Study
Housing
Academic Calendar
Costs
Credit Load
Libraries and Computers
More Information

Options for Study
For the semester study abroad program, students at the Marchutz School of Art take studio painting and drawing, with accompanying interdisciplinary discussion seminars, two elective courses from a wide range of options, and site visits.

Marchutz also offers a summer program. It includes a studio and seminar class. The normal academic summer schedule is two-three credit courses for the intensive six week term.

View descriptions of available courses for all terms on the programs page.

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.

Academic Calendar

Costs
Program fees include tuition, housing, continental breakfast every day and six evening meals per week, activity fee, orientation, textbooks, health and repatriation insurance, excursions, scheduled cultural activities, and art supplies. Typicallly students have gone to Giverny for the fall semester and Venice during the spring semester but excursions are subject to change.

Additional student costs include round trip airfare, lunches, and personal expenses.

Credit Load
Before departure from the United States, students must arrange credit transfer with their Dean or Department Head who must sign the Institute for American Universities Academic Approvals form signifying that work completed at IAU will receive credit toward the applicant's degree. Students who are unable to make such an arrangement may apply to IAU through:

• Northern Illinois University - Sarah Casillas - 815-753-7399
• Eckerd College - Karen Honsinger - 727-864-8381
• Miami Dade College - Eva Fernandez - 305-237-3580
• Truman State University - Rosa Virginia Mendez - 660-785-4076

IAU recommends transfer credit with appropriate grades on the basis of three units per semester course (45 class hours or equivalent).

The Institute for American Universities issues an official, traditional American transcript with letter grades. Institute courses have been accepted for academic credit by over 700 North American institutions of higher learning since its founding in 1957.

Libraries and Computers
There are many libraries and computers available to students. Aix has its own small library, and students have access to other municipal libraries nearby. Aix has a computer lab for student use that is open M-F during office hours, but there is no internet access in the lab. A Wi-Fi system has recently been installed will enable students with a laptop and wireless PC card to have free internet access throughout the Center.We recommend bringing PC laptops, which are more compatible with the Wi-Fi system than MAC computers.

More Information
For an inside look at the Marchutz School of Art, see the faculty site at www.marchutz-school.org.

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