The Aix Center
The Aix Center located in the beautiful old section of Aix-en-Provence,
once a medieval village, is the only study abroad center in the region
that offers classes in both French and English. The Center prides itself
on the diversity of its course offerings in both languages, which enables
students with strong French language ability and those with not so strong
language ability to gain access to a study abroad experience. The multiple
course offerings allow students to fulfill many of their general education
requirements and complete major and minor requirements linked to areas in
the humanities, social sciences, education, and the arts. Students find
courses in subject areas such as psychology, political science, comparative
literature, art history, studio art, business, economics, philosophy,
education, history, archeology, civilization, theatre, government and the
French language from the beginning to the advanced levels. In addition
students who have an advanced level of French proficiency (at least the
equivalent of 4 college semesters of the French language) are eligible
to take and transfer credits from the University of Aix-Marseille.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Aix Center program is to help students explore deeply
the French language and culture and fields of study within the social
sciences, the humanities and/or the arts within the context of France
and Europe with an emphasis on the Provence while fostering individual,
intellectual and personal growth.
Curricular Goals
Aix Center curriculum places emphasis on enhancing the spoken, written
and comprehension of the French language; acquiring knowledge of the
distinctive characteristics of the arts and cultures of France and Europe;
understanding attitudes, ideas, values, and behaviors in one’s own culture
and that of others; and gaining international awareness and sophistication.
The Aix Center welcomes students with diverse academic backgrounds with varying
language abilities. Those who have considered the Aix Center have been students
who are serious about gaining an international perspective on culture, government,
arts, and learning, and who are interested in an integrative approach. This may
include, those interested in studying the French language, those interested in
gaining insights on European perspectives, and/or those interested in exploring
the evolution of historic and contemporary relationships and practices.
Instructors are from a variety of nationalities but mainly French, American, and British.
This in itself gives a strong international flair to the learning environment and helps foster
understandings that expand the mind through their comparative nature.
The City of Aix-en-Provence
The old capital of the Provence, ancient and youthful, Aix has been a crossroads
from the beginning of history, a place of excitement and learning. With the current
influx of people brought by the growing numbers of international businesses, Aix is
enriched with influences from all over the world.
Aix boasts one of the best universities in France and the town is dedicated
to warmly welcoming its students while preserving the intellectual, visual and
cultural pleasures that are associated with the finest aspects of life in France.
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 inhabitants. The city's proximity to the Mediterranean coast
allows students to enjoy the beaches and seaside towns. The nearby
Marseille/Provence airport enables students to take advantage of low
cost flights to the rest of Europe and Northern Africa.
