Thinking of IAU?

Dear Prospective Student,

I am pleased that you are considering Institute for American Universities (IAU) for your study abroad experience. There are many reasons why choosing to study abroad with IAU France makes perfect sense, and I’d like to briefly address them here.

Longevity

IAU is entering its 52nd year of providing study abroad programs to North American students. What this means to you is that we are not a start-up study abroad company, getting our feet wet in the region, securing facilities, faculty, and site directors, and building relationships with hosts and city residents alike. We’ve already done that, and have been doing so for the past half-century in Aix-en-Provence and 37+ years in Avignon.

Program Options

We offer three programs in two cities, each catering towards the liberal arts student who needs to build credit towards their general education, minor, or major requirements. They each differ of course, in their level of French required for admission (there is no French requirement for the Aix Center or the Marchutz School of Art while four semesters of college level French are required for Le  Centre d’Avignon) and in their content. I will forego the full explanation of the programs as, of course, that is what this website is for. But suffice is to say we can meet virtually any academic need, except unfortunately, for you hard science students.

Location

You may already be familiar with the culture and tradition of Provence and its rolling hills and famous mountains, its lavender, soap, olive oil, and vineyards, and its bright blue skies and truly amazing landscapes. But this is just the tip of the Provençal iceberg. Provence offers this and so much more. Our students are so active in the respective cities, conducting for-credit internships with local businesses and organizations, taking courses with French students at French universities, volunteering at soup kitchens, and enjoying the social opportunities of fast-paced cities. No, we are not Paris, but we look at that as a benefit; it’s here where you will have a ‘real’ French experience. Yet don’t forget, you are a mere three-hour TGV train ride from visiting Paris. You also have close access to a major European airport (Marseille) where certain airlines can jet you all over Europe…and that’s just on the weekend!

Alumni

With longevity comes thousands of satisfied alumni, 18,000 and growing! As you consider coming to Provence and studying with IAU, be aware that at any point, we can put you in touch with alumni who can share their experience and provide you with practical tips on everything from travel, to classes, excursions, homestays, and day-to-day living.

Staff

We are fortunate to have a dynamic staff at each of our programs, providing students with the leadership, guidance, and support needed to ensure a positive experience throughout the program. Each program has a center director while Aix and Avignon each have their own housing coordinators. And again to address the benefit of longevity, several of our staff members have been with IAU for over 20 years and in a few cases, over 30 years! What this means for you is access to seasoned staff members who have quite literally, seen it all!

And finally, yet not the least important of these highlights…

Our U.S. Office of Admissions!

The U.S. Office of Admissions, based in Wheaton, IL, serves you, the prospective student or applicant. In my nine years as Director of Enrollment Management for IAU, we take what we have learned from each successive admissions cycle and apply the most practical and helpful steps to future applicants to ensure that they have the most updated, helpful information available. We exist to make sure you have everything you need in order to make an educated decision, and once you have, to guide you through the process as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Please take advantage of our new website and gather the information you need in order to consider studying abroad with us because I know it’s a decision you will never regret!

Amicalement,

Kurt R. Schick
Director of Enrollment Management
Institute for American Universities