Winter: Rutgers- Learn French in Aix-en-Provence
The Program
Immerse yourself in southern French culture and strengthen your French language skills in this small city, styled with historical architecture and bursting with cafes and farmer’s markets
"Rutgers in Aix” has grown from a collaboration between the French Department, Rutgers Global--Study Abroad, and IAU College, Aix-en-Provence’s oldest study abroad institution. The program takes place during winter break and consists of a three-credit language course (Intensive Elementary French I OR Intensive Elementary French II) designed to maximize immersion in French life, and an array of excursions and activities.
Program Location
Aix en Provence
Aix-en-Provence is located in the southern region of France. While the historic city offers access to traditional French culture in an intimate setting, it still maintains the charm and elegance of a large metropolis. The quaint town is known for its beloved painter, Paul Cézanne, who painted the surrounding rolling landscape. There is much that students will be able to explore in Aix-en-Provence, a town established 2000 years ago! And with Marseille a short bus ride away, there are even more opportunities for exploration.
Academics
Have you always wanted to learn French but never found the time?
Did you take French in high school and feel the need to refresh it?
Are you contemplating becoming a French major or minor?
Do you see yourself in a career that requires the knowledge of a second language?
If so, this program is perfect for you!
Created in collaboration with the Institute for American Universities, Aix-en-Provence's oldest study abroad institution, the program takes place during winter break and consists of one 3-credit language course and an array of excursions and activities.
The course is designed to maximize immersion in French life. It is the functional equivalent of French 101 and is meant to provide students from all venues with a quick access to proficiency and transcultural competence.
This course offers two academic tracks:
* 420:100 Intensive Elementary French I is the functional equivalent of French 101 and allows students with no prior French knowledge (or up to one year of high school French) the ability to practice their language skills in a friendly, yet intensive setting. Students who successfully complete this course will be eligible to enroll in French 102 upon their return to campus.
* 420:128 Intensive Elementary French II is the functional equivalent to French 102. Students who successfully complete this course will be eligible to enroll in French 131 upon their return to campus.
Every morning, our small classes will meet in a beautifully renovated mansion located in the heart of the historic district. Afternoons will be devoted to discovering French culture through guided visits of museums and landmarks, both in Aix-en-Provence and its neighbor Marseille, France’s second largest city and 2013 European Capital of Culture. We will make sure, however, that you are left with plenty of time to experience provençal life in a town filled with coffee shops, artisan bakeries, and spectacular farmers markets! You will also stay with local French families to strengthen your language skills and expand your cultural knowledge.
To view the program’s 2018 syllabus, please click here . Please note this is a sample syllabus, all of its content is subject to change.
For information about study abroad credit transfer, registration, and transcripts please visit the Academics section of our website.
Housing and Meals
Students will stay with local French families, who will provide breakfast and dinner each day. The cafes, bakeries, and restaurants of Aix-en-Provence are all wonderful options for lunch, though they are not covered by the program fee.
Student Housing:
Homestay accommodations, which include:
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Daily breakfast
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Six evening meals per week
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Access to laundry facilities or laundry service once per week
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Access to Wi-Fi
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Note: individual rooms can be requested via IAU’s housing questionnaire but cannot be guaranteed
Financial Information
Program Costs
| NJ Resident | non-NJ Resident | |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | $3,830 | $4,260 |
Program Cost includes:
• Tuition
• Housing
• Most meals
• Excursions
• In-country transportation
• Administrative Fees
• Emergency Medical Access Abroad
Out-of-Pocket Costs
| Airfare | $1,200 |
| Additional Meals | $200 |
| Personal Expenses | $400 |
| Total | $1,800.00 |
Out-of-Pocket Cost includes:
The above costs are estimations and represent the known out-of-pocket costs students encounter during their time abroad.
Some of these expenses will be paid for prior to going abroad, such as an airline ticket and visa costs, while some of these expenses, such as meals and local transportation, will be paid in-country as part of your daily expenses. As you plan, you will need to budget these costs and spend wisely throughout your time abroad.
Scholarships
Faculty Leaders
Dr. Carole Allamand is an Associate Professor of French and author of several books.
My time in France was one of the most exciting, eye-opening experiences of my life and I am extremely grateful that I was able to study abroad during my first year of college. Although the winter semester is short, the Winter in Aix program did more than makeup for it. In addition to my French class, I got to go on many excursions to museums, such as the Monet Museum, art studios, such as that of famous french painter, Paul Cezanne, and breathtaking cathedrals from ancient times. I also got the opportunity to explore Paris during the New Year's Break, which was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Although I’m majoring in engineering, I feel as though learning French opened my eyes and showed me how to look at things from a more creative aspect. When learning a language, one often has to ask themselves, “why does this make sense”. Oftentimes, I feel like many STEM majors seem to not quite question why they are doing something, only if they understand it properly. Taking a French course forced my brain to think in a more flexible way. Furthermore, the cultural shocks and nuances made me a lot more aware of my own biases and assumptions. The French people were very hospitable and eager to help teach me their language, but certain cultural and language barriers still persisted and I think that really showed me what it was like to be an immigrant or an international student. Overall, I would one hundred percent join the program again as it taught me so many things that I would never learn in a traditional classroom and helped me come one step closer to becoming a global citizen. I would highly recommend the program to anyone interested in learning french, or if they just simply want to spend 3 weeks in France, because they will come out of the program a completely different person than they were when they first started.