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Immerse into French language and culture as you attend class alongside other international students. Choose from a range of elective courses that deepen your understanding of French culture and complement your language learning; along with your language course, you’ll choose from elective courses in subjects like culture, European politics, literature, music, phonetics, translation, and writing workshops. Designed for students at beginning to advanced French language levels, all courses are taught in French in order to help hone your language proficiency, increase your understanding of French culture and history, and enhance your immersion experience.
Aix Marseille University was founded in 1409; its Service Universitaire des Langues is known as one of the country’s best French-language teaching centers. The school is a 15- to 20-minute walk from the Cours Mirabeau and hosts international students from more than 25 countries.
When you study abroad in Aix-en-Provence, you can choose standard CEA housing or arrange your own independent housing. Assignments are based on availability and confirmation date; we make every effort to match your housing requests, but we can’t guarantee housing preferences.
Program Structure
Each semester, beginning French speakers enroll in 2 language courses and 1-2 elective courses. High-beginner, low-intermediate, and high-intermediate speakers enroll in 2 language courses and 1-3 elective courses. Advanced and above speakers enroll in 1 language course and 2-4 elective courses.
Language courses meet for 26-182 contact hours/2-12 credits; elective courses meet for 26-40 contact hours/2-3 credits per semester. You may earn 12-18 credits (up to 260 contact hours) per semester and 24-36 credits (up to 530 contact hours) per academic year. Language courses meet 4-5 days per week; elective courses meet once per week.
You'll take a written and oral language placement exam before you arrive in Aix. Based on the results, you'll be placed in a language class and select electives at your particular language level. It is in your best interest to have multiple alternative courses approved by your home university prior to your departure due to course availabilities. To ensure that you receive credit for the language level you place into, have your home school pre-approve courses at several levels before you leave for France. Please consult with your academic advisor at your home university on credit pre-approval guidelines.
The host institution has offered the following courses in the past. Please note that course listings may not be finalized until the start of the term; we’ll post an updated list when the host institution finalizes its offerings.
*Courses with an asterisk indicate that the course has been associated with multiple subject areas.
Please click on the course title to view additional subject areas and detailed course information.
Get out and explore! Excursions are offered for most semester, year, and summer programs*. Semester students are typically offered between two to three excursions and summer study students are typically offered between one to two excursions. You'll receive a calendar of excursions
during orientation; here are a few day and overnight excursions we've offered in the past.
Avignon and the Pont du Gard
Visit the Papal Palace in Avignon, one of Europe's largest, most important medieval Gothic buildings. Once a fortress and palace, the papal residence was the seat of Western Christianity during the 14th century. Next, explore the Pont du Gard, an ancient Roman aqueduct bridge built in the 1st century. The Pont du Gard is the highest of all Roman aqueduct bridges and among the best-preserved.
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Avignon and the Pont du Gard
Visit the Papal Palace in Avignon, one of Europe's largest, most important medieval Gothic buildings. Once a fortress and palace, the papal residence was the seat of Western Christianity during the 14th century. Next, explore the Pont du Gard, an ancient Roman aqueduct bridge built in the 1st century. The Pont du Gard is the highest of all Roman aqueduct bridges and among the best-preserved.
Les Baux de Provence
First stop: Baux de Provence, a medieval fortified town with breath-taking views, to tour a hilltop chateau and learn about medieval Provence. Next, experience a mind-blowing audiovisual art show projected on limestone quarry walls at Les Carriéres. Enjoy a group lunch at Mas de la Pyramide, a quarry dating from Roman times that's now an agricultural museum featuring three centuries of farm life and trades.
See Details
Les Baux de Provence
First stop: Baux de Provence, a medieval fortified town with breath-taking views, to tour a hilltop chateau and learn about medieval Provence. Next, experience a mind-blowing audiovisual art show projected on limestone quarry walls at Les Carriéres. Enjoy a group lunch at Mas de la Pyramide, a quarry dating from Roman times that's now an agricultural museum featuring three centuries of farm life and trades.
Arles
A key headquarters for Roman military campaigns and center of the Christianization of Gaul, Arles offers windows to a colorful past. The Roman Empire's influence can still be seen in Arles; architecture, baths, aqueduct, mills, amphitheater, and more. Walking between the remnants of pillars and arches, it's easy to forget you're visiting an ancient part of Provence, especially when the ferias and other bull festivals charge the air with excitement.
See Details
Arles
A key headquarters for Roman military campaigns and center of the Christianization of Gaul, Arles offers windows to a colorful past. The Roman Empire's influence can still be seen in Arles; architecture, baths, aqueduct, mills, amphitheater, and more. Walking between the remnants of pillars and arches, it's easy to forget you're visiting an ancient part of Provence, especially when the ferias and other bull festivals charge the air with excitement.
The Luberon
The Luberon is a lush, green national park where mountain ranges surround a sweeping valley dotted with castles and unbelievable fairy-tale villages thought to be among the most beautiful in France. Stroll along the Sorgue River, which flows from an unknown source deep under Fountaine-de-Vaucluse; hike the red/orange/yellow ochre hills of Roussillon; and explore Gordes, a local commune. Can you discover the café where Russell Crowe filmed his scenes with Marion Cotillard for the movie A Good Year?
See Details
The Luberon
The Luberon is a lush, green national park where mountain ranges surround a sweeping valley dotted with castles and unbelievable fairy-tale villages thought to be among the most beautiful in France. Stroll along the Sorgue River, which flows from an unknown source deep under Fountaine-de-Vaucluse; hike the red/orange/yellow ochre hills of Roussillon; and explore Gordes, a local commune. Can you discover the café where Russell Crowe filmed his scenes with Marion Cotillard for the movie A Good Year?
Sample Budget
This budget contains costs that you can take to your financial aid office. Please note that amounts may fluctuate; we’ve included a range of costs.
Federal law allows the use of financial aid to cover “reasonable” costs of study abroad including round-trip transportation, tuition and fees for the program, living costs, passport and visa fees, health insurance, and more.
Please note that all costs and charges listed below are subject to change without notice. With the exception of Program Price, all costs are estimates and may vary.
Program Fee Tuition and fees, registration, orientation, airport pickup, welcome and farewell receptions, housing, official transcript, cultural excursions/activities, student support services, CEA On-site Staff and administrative costs.
$13,895
$13,895
CEA Secure CEASecure™ is an optional refund plan that allows students to withdraw for any covered reason up to one week before the program’s start date
$0
$475
International Airfare & Transfers Cost varies depending on time of purchase, point of origin and time of travel.
$700
$1,500
Immigration Requirements Includes passport and additional requirements such as visa, entry and exit fees, French Carte de Séjour, French University Administrative Fee (if applicable), or Italian Permesso di Soggiorno.
$452
$452
Books, Materials and Supplies Includes books, school supplies, art supplies, and course fees. Does not include fees or supplies for optional courses. This cost varies depending on the course choices of the student.
$129
$129
Meals
Includes the average expected cost for meals in housing option without a meal plan, such as daily groceries and eating out at restaurants.
$2,065
$5,266
Personal Expenses Includes telephone, laundry, local transportation, personal necessities and upfront payments for potential doctor visits. Please note, certain locations may require deposits to secure spots in CEA organized activities and excursions (deposits are returned at the end of the program if student attends activities/excursions or cancels participation before set deadlines). Some of these costs vary according to the spending habits of the student.
$1,239
$3,201
Travel Expenses Includes additional travel outside of CEA excursions. This cost varies according to the spending habits of the student.
$364
$1,820
TOTAL EXPENSES
$18,844
$26,738
Sample Calendar
Below is a tentative itinerary for your program. Please note, dates and events below may change without prior notification. Contact CEA before purchasing airline tickets.
You will receive a finalized itinerary once you arrive onsite.
Note: Additional cultural activities/excursions or required course-related activities may be incorporated into your final itinerary. You are advised not to make personal travel arrangements until you have the final dates.
Official Program Start Date. Students must arrive at the Marseille Provence airport on this date in order to be eligible for airport pickup. Students will then be transferred to their assigned housing.
January 12 - 14
Orientation
Mandatory CEA Orientation sessions will be held.
January 17
Classes Begin
Classes begin at Aix Marseille University on this day.
January 22
Excursion
CEA daytrip to Gorges du Verdon. Date and location subject to change.
February 19
Excursion
CEA daytrip to Luberon. Date and location subject to change.
March 07 - 13
School Break
AMU is closed for Spring Break. No classes will be held.
March 26
Excursion
CEA Excursion to Avignon and the Pont du Gard. Date and location subject to change.
April 15
Classes End
This is the last day of classes at University Aix Marseille.
April 18
Holiday
Easter Monday. No classes will be held.
April 19 - 22
Final Exams
Final exams will be held at AMU.
April 23
Program Ends/Move-Out
Official Program End Date. Students must move out of housing no later than this day.
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