Vive La France! Aix-en-Provence Dorm Programs & Host Family Immersion Week

  France

• Aix-en-Provence: 
Aix-en-Provence

Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: 2009 Dates: Session A June 18-July 16; Session B July 9-Aug 6

Description: Aix-en-Provence - A Lively College Town for your Summer Abroad in France!

Culturally rich Aix-en-Provence is the ideal place for summer high school study abroad programs! Youthful & spirited, this historic college town is filled with international students, music & art during the summer.

Its gorgeous weather, significant youthful population & perfect location in Provence make it one of our most popular destinations to study French in France!

Our student dorm, home to teens from all over the world during their summer in France, is only a ten-minute walk from our language school and vibrant heart of Aix.

Students participate in an enriching two weeks of classes at the highly acclaimed Institute of American Universities (IAU) while living in one of the only centrally located student residences in the town of Aix-en-Provence.

This program also includes one week of immersion with host families. ECI participants are matched with carefully chosen host families who often have a son or daughter of a similar age and who are excited about sharing their homes and lives with an American teenager. Students truly experience the daily life of their host families during this special week. Students are generally placed one per host family during the Immersion week.

The IAU faculty is a vital and talented group. Most have studied and/or taught in more than one country. Many are professors either at L'Universite d'Aix-Marseille, L'Universite d'Avignon, Toulouse, or Paris. Because they have chosen to live in the south of France, they are able to communicate their enthusiasm for the region and illuminate the local culture for our students.

Our student group (maximum size of 30) will be divided into three levels based on a placement test and will participate in approximately three hours of classes Monday through Friday for two weeks. Because class size is kept small, the groups have the luxury of interactive seminar-style classes that include dialogue and debate.

Highlights: Porquerolles -

An afternoon on this beautiful island is a fabulous adventure! After taking the short ferry trip to the island, students have the option to rent bikes to ride to other beaches, to walk around to the beaches close to town, or to enjoy the delightful cafees near the ferry dock. With all of the choices, students will have fun on this small island and will appreciate its local, non-touristy charm.

Cassis -

You may have the opportunity to visit one of France's most beautiful coastal towns. Cassis is a quiet fishing village, but during the summer it becomes a bustling sun-lovers' beach town. Students will enjoy taking a boat ride around the gorgeous Calanques, where they will see white rocky cliffs, known as the fjords of Provence, surrounding beautiful bays of clear blue water. Cassis stone has been used throughout time, for things as diverse as the base of the Statue of Liberty and the Suez Canal.

St-Tropez -

Home to the rich and famous, as well as to the most glamorous beaches on the Riviera, St-Tropez is a place you'll never forget. Golden sand, blue skies, lots of sun and shopping opportunities make for a relaxing and fun afternoon in the south of France.

Arles -

The historic town of Arles is famed for its well-preserved Roman arena. Julius Caesar passed through in 46 BC. The Roman influence is evident throughout the town and you will enjoy soaking up the unique atmosphere. Painter Van Gogh spent time in Arles, capturing the night sky and cafe scene in many of his well-known paintings.

Roussillon -

Another highlight may be an excursion to this amazing village, famous for its 17 shades of ocher. Artists and visitors visit Roussillon to marvel at these warm tones of red and rust, to explore the steep, narrow streets, and appreciate the wonderful cafes. There is usually a group wine tasting activity during the program, and Roussillon or the nearby colorful village of Gordes have been ideal locations for this on past trips.

Fontaine de Vaucluse

The focus of this village is its impressive spring, which flows out the extremely high cliff. It is one of the most powerful springs in the world in the winter as huge amounts of water pour forth from underground and the river becomes a raging torrent. In summer, the spring becomes a deep pond, and the river is much calmer. The emerald green waters sparkle in the sun and reflect the surrounding trees. Kayaking here is always one of our groups' favorite activities.

Le Pont du Gard

This amazing Roman aqueduct is over 2000 years old. It was used for centuries to transport water between Uzis and Nimes. Today it is an engineering wonder. The guided tour takes the group through the actual aqueduct where the water flowed. Spend some time after the tour swimming in the refreshing river below.

Cost in US$: $6175 without airfare.

This Program is open to American, Canadian and European Participants.

Participants Travel to France Independently Or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently Or in Groups of 30

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit DebriefingAbroad

Edu-Culture International (ECI)'s Mission Statement: To broaden the academic horizons of students and to create well-rounded, culturally aware student leaders. Goals: ECI provides young people with opportunities to embrace new cultures, to improve foreign language ability, and to develop interpersonal skills. We strive to make each program a high-quality, unique, and enjoyable experience. It is also hoped that the programs will engender in students an interest in the pursuit of education, especially in the humanities and acquisition of foreign languages; motivate learning and independent thinking; promote world friendships and cultural understanding; educate students about the culture, language, people, and ideas of other nations and ethnic backgrounds; help students to realize their potentials and become aware of their roles in our global community.

Year Founded: 1998