Aix-en-Provence Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

This program was absolutely wonderful! in the past I had taken multiple French classes but always had trouble retaining what I learned. So, when I first got to Aix, my level of french was quite low. However, the staff, teachers, and other students were all very patient with me and slowly but surely, I began to improve. The classes were very intensivew with us having daily discussions, presentations, readings, and tests just like classes at my university in the US, but everything is in French so no matter what, you are constantly learning a new word, finding a new sentence structure to try out conversation, or learning about a new culture and its history. Part of the other great thing is that learning does not just occur in the classroom, but through the language partners, and outings offered through the AUCP and through your own exploration of Aix, France, and Europe!

On-site administration of your program

The AUCP was a great on-site program. When we arrived they made sure we were given tours around the city and that we were adjusting well to our new surroundings, and had people to talk to if you had problems. They kept us very informed about any updates with classes, outings, and responsibilities that we would have to perform so that we were prepared for just about anything. However, they also let us go out on our own and do our own exploring of the area giving us a chance to find where our own place in the city was.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived about a twenty five minute walk from the school and the city, however, buses or taxis were always available if I did not feel like walking to and from school. I lived in an apartment building with an older woman who spoke very little English. She was a very accommodating host mom, who tried to make me feel very comfortable, and we would go to movies, church, and other events in the city together!

The restaurants, bakeries, and open markets in Aix are excellent! I loved going to buy fresh bread, avocados, and fruits for lunches. At dinner, the cuisine from restaurants was often of excellent quality no matter where you ate.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The AUCP makes sure that you are VERY integrated in the local culture. if you look into the program, you find that you will stay with a host family, have to become active in a local club, join a charity group, and will receive language partners (usually french students around your age with similar interests to you). Between all of these you get to see different aspects of the community, meet a lot of new people, and feel like you are an active member of that community yourself! Its an amazing feeling breaking down the language barrier and actually feeling like you belong to a place so far from your actual home. Also, since it is a school for American students, you have a small base of people from back home (all over the United States) who will be going through a lot of the same emotions as you on your journey in France and are a wonderful comfort and support system if you are ever nervous for any part of the integration process.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I did not need any vaccines particularly for this program, and there were no major health issues for this area. I found the healthcare system to be fairly easy to use in Aix.

Aix is a very safe city. Even at night I never felt unsafe.

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

Aix can be an expensive place to live, especially for dinner on Friday and Saturday nights. However, if you buy lunch from the markets most days lunches do not have to be expensive saving you money for nice dinners (and the market has great fresh food anyway, so it's a great option to take advantage of).

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

The program has a contract that students must sign stating that they must speak French throughout their stay in France. It is hard, the first two weeks i was there I was exhausted going to bed early every night, but it is also extremely worth it! I may say that I only went from beginner to intermediate below but I made immense progress while I was in this program, it is definitely a unique experience that is rare in any French immersion program.

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• Host Family

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• Host Family

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• Americans

• The intensive language curriculum
• The people: teachers, language partners, and host family
• The outings to areas in the Provence region

• I wish that teachers had, had office hours

The Academic or Linguist