Nostalgic about your study abroad experience? See what other alumni have said about their time with IAU and how the experience has impacted their lives and careers.

Sue Ann Allen, Academic Year 1966-67, Aix
Central Michigan University

"During my year in Aix-en-Provence, I lived with a marvelous family andmade several lifelong friends. What a world that year opened up to me! Although I used French professionally, the real impact was not on my profession but on my world view. I developed a lifelong passion for other cultures and languages that led me to live on four continents and to study several languages. I am now a mediator and trainer specializing in intercultural factors in conflict. When I go back to Aix, it is always like coming home!"

Arlene Atherton, Fall 1995, Aix
Cabrillo College

"I was an older student returning to school and wanted to include study abroad to improve my language skills and study art in the location of its creative inspiration. At first it was a bit challenging as many of the younger students couldn't understand a matriculating student who is changing careers.

"However, by the end of the semester I was a celebrity of sorts where all the kids would hang out at my apartment. It turned into one of my most successful social experiences. To this day I am in contact with friends I have met while study in Aix, some who have gone to marriage and family, and others to graduate work and careers. It has been very exciting to see how these people have utilized their experiences in Aix.

"My study abroad did help me get accepted to Columbia University and satisfied my foreign language requirement. I am hoping to continue graduate work in Europe and will fall back on my Aix learning skills."

Randy Devost, Fall 2001, Center for Art and Culture
Maryland Institute College of Art

"I’m addicted to sniffing “Herbes de Provence” at the grocery store; I make sure to make myself crêpes “grand marnier” style at least once a month; and my poor little heart WILL own a moped some day. I’ve graduated art school at MICA and am now going to receive my masters in digital arts within a few weeks. I take this moment to give a “grande coucou!” out to the CAC folks- (Ken, Robyn, and Grace) and also to Yamina, The Christofides, Madame Bonnett, Claude Pelopidas, and Gaël Mens-Casas. Remember, happiness can be found in the simple things."

Nalda Duran, Academic Year 1997-98, Aix
Montclair State University

"Spending an academic year in Aix-en-Provence was a life changing experience. Besides meeting exceptional people and learning a new language, I was able to form great friendships. I learned to love and respect the French and their many customs, even the ones that proved painfully difficult to understand at first. Above all, I gained a sense of independence and self-reliance only made possible by the constant exposure to new and challenging situations provided by such an experience. IAU was a door into a wealth of knowledge and growth and I am truly thankful for that."

Peter Kirn, Academic Year 1976-77, Aix
University of Arizona

"The 1976 - 1977 school year in Aix, one of the best years of my life. Fell in love for the first time. Five years ago, when I returned to Aix on assignment for four months, the professors and staff clearly had maintained their high standards. The educators in Aix were always top-notch, and they prepared me well for my former job as President of American operations for Russian news agency Interfax, and my current position, where we manage money for the royal family of Monaco."

Teri (Knuese) Marry, Spring 1987, Aix
Marquette University

“My experience in Aix was incredible. Great friends; great memories; an overall life altering experience. I can truly say the culture, the city, the people, everything are all a part of my soul and has become a lifelong passion. I encourage every parent to encourage their children to study abroad. Not only do you learn a new culture and learn to better appreciate your own but more importantly you expand your own personal perspective on life and how you choose to live it.”

Katie (Hansen) McKay, Spring 1986, Aix
University of Puget Sound

"They say that the impact of seven major events in our lives makes us who we are as adults. Living in Aix as a student of IAU is one of those events that has made me who I am today. The positive impression that it made on my character lives on; the spark for taking risks, appreciating detail and never letting a moment pass un-noticed will carry me throughout the rest of my life."

Suzanne (Jenkins) Peterson, Academic Year 1961-62, Aix
University of Michigan

"My favorite memories are of the fountains, the incredible blue skies and the beautiful trees and the smell of rain. I remember the kindness of the people, practicing my French with the store people, especially Chez le boucher and the joy when someone said an entire sentence out of our book. I swear it was page 30. I loved the fact that my American radio spoke perfect French and I love the pace of life there. Here it is usually frantic. We need to take time to breathe the fresh air, smell the lavender and savor a wonderful meal with the perfect wine."

Melissa (Hamerlik) Rowley, Spring 1994, Aix
University of St. Thomas

“There is not a year that goes by where I don’t think about something from my experience in Aix that has made me the person that I am. The friendships I made and continue to maintain have truly enriched my life”

Bob Sample, Academic Year 1959-60, Aix
Los Angeles Valley Junior College

"High School in Beirut, Lebanon and a Junior Year in Aix changed my life! I was part of the first full IAU class, where I learned French, founded La Cigale (the first "livre d’année"), and began a three-year engagement with a charming French girl. Later, I married, adopted two children, and with my wife, founded two schools for international students and a micro-credit company based on the Grameen Bank of Bangladesh. I am a 16-year volunteer with RESULTS, an international grassroots citizens lobby aimed at ending hunger and severe poverty. Several visits to Aix have rekindled fond memories."

Erin (Helms) Saulino, Academic Year 1998-99, Aix
George Washington University

"I went to IAU for two semesters. The first semester was a whirlwind. We traveled every weekend to as many countries as we could. But second semester I was able truly enjoy and appreciate life in Aix. Those of us who were there for the year bonded together. We were able to experience more of the city, and the surrounding areas. We traveled to the Collanques and hiked for the weekend, instead of flying to London or trekking to Barcelona. I met some fantastic people while in Aix. I loved Mme Monshal, and my two host families. I also came away with some great friends, who even flew in from across the country for my wedding this year. "

Thomas Schoeck, Academic Year 1999-2000, Aix
Carnegie Mellon University

“I feel like this rather large small town is my second home because it holds memories of special people and has spurred my curiosity to travel and investigate the area and its people from Barcelona to Milan. As I read and see motion pictures, I recognize sights and sounds and aromas that I know would have whirred past me before. My experience at IAU is one of life's treasures.”

Alison (Stern) Stilwell, Fall 1979, Avignon
University of Illinois

"I studied in Avignon 24 years ago (!!) and it still remains one of the, if not THE most life changing and memorable experiences of my life. I am hoping to go back to Avignon this year having visited 3 years ago...way too long to stay away. I continue to visit and revisit my French families in Avignon and the countryside. I've come to know a second generation of these families since I studied there in '79. I would love to hear from others from this group. We had two wonderful reunions over the years."

Mark Tolley, Spring 1991, Aix
Swarthmore College

"Studying in Aix-en-Provence was one of the best experiences of my life. I feel blessed to have been able to augment my US studies with a semester with IAU. Great administrators, teachers, and fellow students made for a fantastic time abroad."

Shelby Tompkins, Fall 1994, Aix
Gettysburg College

"I have very fond memories from IAU and keep in touch with the friends I made over there even after all of these years. I have been back to Aix a few times to visit people or just for vacation. It is always a nice feeling to come back to the Institute and see how things have changed and mostly how they have stayed the same. All in all, I would say that my greatest memory of my semester is the friends I have made."

Jennifer (Mercier) Trendel, Academic Year 1998-99, Marchutz
University of New Hampshire

"My time in France and studying at IAU was a wonderful experience! I always think about the endless opportunities in and around Aix-en-Provence. I miss my life that I had back in Aix! I have been back but the memorable times were when I lived there and my days spent with great friends. "

Erica (Wardigo) Thornton, Spring 1994, Aix
Ithaca College

“I spent spring semester, 1994, in Aix-en-Provence. What wasn't there to love?! It was my first visit to Europe. The school was fabulous and encouraged everyone to travel, including sponsoring some field trips to places I would never have thought to visit on my own. I took a painting class at the Marchutz school and was truly inspired by the surroundings there. (I am not an 'artist', but I love to paint, so it was an amazing experience). The atmosphere was just wonderful. I had a terrific family to stay with and learn from. I look forward to the day when I return to Aix. Although I know it will be bittersweet, because it can't possibly live up to my first visit there!”

Gail Starr, Carroll College, 1967-1968, Aix

"Greetings from Portland Oregon. I feel so fortunate that I was able to spend a year in Aix at IAU. Besides the experience of living and studying in Aix, struggling to learn to speak French, I especially remember the "excursion" programs put together by the IAU almost every weekend. I think I visited almost every major historic area of Provence including Nimes, Arles, Orange, Pont du Garde among other places all within a few hours of Aix. I loved the shops in Aix, the small cous-cous restaurants, the
Cours and the cafes. I think I lived in the cafes when I was not in class. I even went hiking on Mont St. Victoire with a group one weekend.

In October of 1998 I took a tour to Southern France called the "Route de Cezanne". I was looking forward to spending 3 days in Aix as part of the itinerary, and armed with my 35 mm camera I took lots of pictures. In 1968 I had a small 124 kodak which took very bad pictures and I really was pleased to be able to retrace my steps through the town and have some great pictures to remember this trip. In addition to visiting Aix, the tour visited Arles, St. Remy, Les Baux and Avignon. In Aix I noticed much more traffic, more upscale shops, but many of the same landmarks, fountains, cafes etc. I spent my program-free day wandering around the town. It happened to be market day, and I spent most of my time taking pictures and looking at the fresh produce and either antitques or the provencal handicrafts. I also stopped in briefly to the IAU just for a look (how did I ever go up and down the stairs to the cave?) and t seemed that little had changed in 30 years.

I searched out a small restaurant and ordered some local wine and a plat provencal, a mixture of fresh salads and vegetable dishes, served together for a "light" lunch. Wonderful!"