Aix-en-Provence France, The city of fountains brings new vibrancy and poetry to daily life. Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I loved my classes in Aix. The workload was very much based on the number of classes one chose to take. Teachers that I had were fair and understanding and their patience was unending.

On-site administration of your program

The CEA faculty in Aix becomes your family away from home. These amazing people were one of my favorite things about studying abroad in Aix! They really care about their students and try so hard to make sure that everyone is having a great experience. They went above and beyond and really became wonderful friends. I miss them all and still keep in contact.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I stayed in a quirky little apartment right of the Place d'Hotel de Ville some 3 minutes walk from school down winding streets. It had a beautiful view of the fountain, cafes, and the flower market. Street musicians played throughout the day and evening and you could open the windows and let the music in. I remember listening to accordion music that first night there and feeling utterly enchanted. Aix is beautiful. Living in an apartment instead of a host family meant not practicing French constantly, but by no means did that mean that you didn't have to interact in French. Because meals weren't taken with your french-speaking host family, one had to go to the market and talk with the lady selling vegetables or the boulangerie to by your bread. I loved the independence of living in an apartment.

There is just too much to say about French food. The market was my favorite place to go. Beautiful, lively and colorful, it was about the experience just as much as buying what you'd cook that night. Tarts and desserts from Paul became a studying tradition for my roomate and I, and Pizza Capri is still probably the best pizza I've ever had. Go, find a little hole-in-the wall restaurant and eat really really well. Being a vegetarian was interesting here sometimes though, shrimp and seafood are often not thought of as meat in France so be forewarned and peruse the menu carefully.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Excursions in the Aix CEA program are absolutely amazing. There were several trips to beautiful and interesting places included and you could always sign up for another trip if so inclined. Some of my favorite memories are getting on that bus with everyone and heading off for a day or weekend to some fascinating place.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I never needed to visit the doctor while in France, but friends who did had no problems usually due to CEA's staff being so involved setting up appointments, going with, and really caring that everyone involved felt comfortable.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

I never heard some of them speak a word of English, and yet was able to understand their explanations of material in French better than any French class taught and explained in English. The only thing that took some getting used to was the length of classes, which were up to four hours long. However, this lengthy exposure is probably the best way to learn language.

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• Apartment

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• Americans

• People at CEA
• French culture and travel opportunities.
• The city itself

• It could have lasted longer;)