University of Provence, Aix-Marseille I, France
The Washington College in France Program is a Tuition Only Exchange program based at the University of Provence, Aix-Marseille I, in Aix-en-Provence. Located near the larger city of Marseille, Aix-en-Provence (pop. 125,000) has a charming medieval old town famous for its beautiful fountains and marketplaces.
For more information, look online at: http://www.aixenprovencetourism.com; http://www.beyond.fr/villages/aix.html
Faculty
All classes will be taught by regular faculty of the University of Provence, Aix-Marseille I. The “Office des relations internationales” is located in the main building and it advises all international students. Semesters run approximately from late September to late January and from early February to late June. This is a large university that expects a student to indepently learn their way around and adapt to the new environment and academic system.
Requirements
All well-qualified sophomores and juniors are eligible to apply for the exchange program with the University of Provence. This program is open to students in all majors. Students should meet the following prerequisites:
- Solid preparation in the French Language (a minimum of two courses at the 300-level or the equivalent)
- Strong academic record
- Evidence of good character, maturity, and motivation
- Independence, ability and willingness to adapt to a foreign environment
The cost of international travel between the United States and France, housing, meals, local transportation while in France, health insurance, books, and personal expenses are the responsibility of the student applicant unless other arrangements have been made. Students should make an appointment to speak to their Director of Financial Aid to discuss the financial aspects of the program they plan to attend.
Living Arrangements
While students are responsible for making their own housing arrangements, a student office—called the "C.R.O.U.S."—will provide assistance in locating appropriate off-campus housing, perhaps with other students or with a family. More housing possibilities are available in June, when the office opens, than in October, when classes begin. A furnished room in a home or an apartment will probably cost between $500 and $600 per month. Dorms can also be requested during the initial application process and this route is recommended, as housing in Aix becomes increasingly difficult to arrange. There are three main residence halls in Aix-en-Provence: Cite Universitaire les Gazelles, Cite Universitaire les Cuques, and Cite Universitaire l'Estelan. The monthly rent to live in these residence halls is approximately130 Euros, a 130 Euros warranty has to be paid at the beginning of the stay and it will be reimbursed at the end of the stay.
Meals are the student's responsibility; there are shared kitchens in the residence halls. Supermarkets are easy to find and so are street vendors that sell pizza and all kinds of subs. There are several university cafeterias around the main academic building but they only serve lunch.
Curriculum
Students will be able to take courses in the following disciplines: Foreign Languages (German, Spanish, Chinese, Dutch, Polish, Russian, and English), "Lettres Modernes" (French literature), History/Geography, Philosophy, Ethnology, and History of Art, Psychology and Sociology. In exceptional cases, students might also be able to choose courses in Political Studies, Biology, Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics, Chemistry.
Approximate Semester Dates:
- Semester 2: Mid-January to late June
- Or one academic year (late September to late June)
- Note that the deadline to study for Semester 2 is the same as to study for Semester 1, that is to say, March of the previous year.