Location
  • France
    • Paris
    • Aix-en-Provence
Subject Areas
Advertising Anthropology Architecture Art History Arts Business Classical Studies Communications Creative Writing Cultural Studies Digital Media Economics Entrepreneurship Environmental Studies European Studies Fashion Design Film Global Studies History Humanities International Business International Relations Language Studies Liberal Arts Literature Marketing Media Relations Philosophy Photography Political Science Public Relations Religious Studies Social Sciences Sociology Visual Arts +25

Program Details

Program Type
Provider
Degree Level
Bachelors
Housing
Apartment Host Family
Language
French

Pricing

Starting Price
$13,890 USD
Price Details
Price may be an estimate, the lower end of a range, or from a previous term. Please see our website for specifics.
What's Included
Accommodation Some Activities Classes Wifi
What's Included (Extra)

Please visit our website to see all that's included.

Jun 09, 2021
Nov 19, 2018

About Program

Experience firsthand the rich culture, the fascinating history, the famous art, and the tasty cuisine that have made France one of the most visited countries in the world! Whether you choose traditional Aix-en-Provence or metropolitan Paris, with CIS Abroad, you’ll be more than another tourist – you’ll be engaged in the local culture, living like a local. In Paris, choose from Paris School of Business, a European elite Grande Ecole management school that combines academic excellence, international awareness, and professional experiences, or be a Parisian for a semester at the Institut Catholique de Paris (ICP). ICP is a respected, private university located near the lively Latin Quarter of Paris. For a smaller city, the Semester in Aix-en-Provence takes place at Institut Américain Universitaire (aka IAU College) among the tree lined, cobble-stoned streets of Aix-en-Provence.

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Diverse course offerings in English and full-immersion French studies
  • Great support and cultural insights from local staff
  • Apartments located in a traditional French neighborhoods or immersive local homestays
  • Local activities and excursion to explore your new home

Scholarships

CISabroad Scholarships

CISabroad Scholarships and Financial Aid

70% of all CISabroad students receive scholarships, grants, or discounts to study abroad. We're unapologetically committed to increasing access to international education for all students.

Value
$250 - $500

Popular Programs

CIS Abroad Paris, France

Study at the Paris School of Business, a European elite Grande Ecole management school that combines academic excellence, international awareness and professional experiences. Cited as one of the top post-baccalaureate schools in France, Paris School of Business values audacity, awareness, and responsibility and prepares students to become highly skilled managers open to the world, enabling them to commit as efficient decision makers and conscious leaders.

CIS Abroad Paris, France

Semester in Paris is perfect for every level of French speaker, from beginners to advanced. You’ll study at the Institute Catholique de Paris with expert professors and fellow study abroad students. A Paris City Tour will let you explore places like Versailles and Fontainebleau. Additionally, this program offers an exclusive bonus: a weekend excursion to another fabulous location in France!

Students studying in Aix -en-Provence, France

With a mild Mediterranean climate, historic sites, and striking scenery, it’s easy to fall in love with Aix-en-Provence. You'll improve your French as you wind your way around this charming, chic city. A true “college town,” you’ll meet other students from all over the world, and also explore the nearby seaside villages, beaches, and exquisite sites. Join numerous service-learning opportunities to get involved both on campus and in your local community.

Program Reviews

9.27 Rating
based on 11 reviews
  • 9-10 rating 90.91%
  • 7-8 rating 9.09%
  • 5-6 rating 0%
  • 3-4 rating 0%
  • 1-2 rating 0%
  • Academics 9
  • Support 8.7
  • Fun 9.8
  • Housing 9.6
  • Safety 9.7
Showing 1 - 8 of 11 reviews
Default avatar
Emma
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Reflecting on Study Abroad

I spent my Fall 2017 semester in Aix-en-Provence, France where I took 4 classes and had a 1-credit internship. The professors were amazing and the internship coordinator was so helpful. I learned more than I thought possible and have so much more experience to take with me as I enter the workforce soon. Studying abroad was the best experience of my life! Even though it has been almost a full year since my semester abroad ended, I am still reaping the benefits of my program. I made memories and learned things that will always be a part of my life. Institute for American Universities (IAU) was so professional and welcoming. I would go back in a heartbeat. My host mom was the best and we still communicate over email to this day. I made friends with people from around the world that will always be a part of my life. I am so thankful to CISabroad and IAU for my excellent semester in France!

What would you improve about this program?
Communication was a little unclear at times regarding the correct way to obtain my VISA. I received a checklist that ended up not being exactly correct.
9 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Mary
9/10
Yes, I recommend this program

The City of a Thousand Fountains

Every town has a nickname: the City of Lights, the City that Never Sleeps, the Eternal City. Well Aix-en-Provence is the City of Water, the City of a Thousand Fountains. On every street there is a new fountain, and with every new fountain there is a new story. The fountain in la place de Marie, where I sat and watched families take pictures before their weddings, the fountain on Cours Mirabeau, that sparkled with lights as I perused the Christmas market, the fountain by my favorite boulangerie, the fountain that pointed me to my way home, and a thousand more. Each fountain holds a memory of my time in Aix, as they do for thousands of other students, travelers, and citizens. The City of a Thousand Fountains will forever be a special city for me, and I will always treasure every fountain.

What would you improve about this program?
The course list could be widened. There are plenty of art courses with the Marschutz School and plenty of business courses, but other courses like Psychology, History, Religion, etc. are few to none.
10 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Emily
9/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Unforgettable semester in Aix

IAU College has a fantastic staff; the professors are multi-lingual and want their students to make the most of their time abroad. I was in the French Honors Program, which I highly recommend because my language skills and my cultural knowledge blossomed. Even with taking only French courses and with an internship, I never felt overwhelmed by the workload; everything is manageable. My host family was also incredible! I loved connecting with real French people every day.

What would you improve about this program?
CISAbroad needs to improve its communication. When I was worried about my visa, I felt like there was little I could do but hope for an appointment. Then CIS was late sending my transcripts, which caused some problems at my college.
IAU College, though, has a very supportive staff.
9 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Salvatore
8/10
Yes, I recommend this program

CIS Abroad Semester in Parks

I had serious issues with CIS Abroad’s predeparture segment. I felt as though our program director I’ll equipped us to properly prepare for the trip and the crucial steps to complete before leaving.

However I did THOROUGHLY enjoy my trip thanks entirely to our on-site director who went above and beyond to find us fun, immersive program excursions and events. He made sure that the trip was as enjoyable and broaden our horizons.

What would you improve about this program?
Continuing with on site director requirement and acquisition. Work on better talent acquisition and training for predeparture directors.
11 people found this review helpful.
Response from CIS Abroad

We're sorry to hear that your pre-departure experience fell short of expectations. We have made great gains in our systems, processes, technology, media, and communication since 2017 in efforts to sufficiently prepare participants and gather all the relevant information for enrollment in our programs. Thanks for taking the time to provide feedback in that regard!

We're so glad to hear you thoroughly enjoyed your experience on the ground in Paris! It's no surprise to hear that Drasko (on-site director) went above and beyond - not the first time we've heard that ;)

Default avatar
Emma
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

“Aix”ellent semester in France

When I was researching study abroad programs and thinking seriously about studying abroad, I knew I wanted to be somewhere in southern France. I had a long checklist of things I wanted in my program like a host family, opportunity for an internship, and classes that would fit my major. CISabroad fulfilled all my wishes and more! They were outstanding.

As my departure date from home drew closer, I started to get nervous about the whole thing. Would I find friends? Would I spend way more money than I could afford? Would my host mom like me? But CISabroad had a tool to help with each of these worries. Upon arrival in France, I immediately met other CIS student who would be with me in Aix. CIS provided a sample budget to help me build my own. The CIS liaison at my school was so nice and was committed to getting to know me and making me feel at home. She even offered advice on how to make the most out of a home stay (my home stay was the best!).

In summary, go with CISabroad. They know what they’re doing!

What would you improve about this program?
Providing a way to chat with the other CIS students in my program before arriving.
9 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Elizabeth
9/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Aix-en-Provence

I absolutely loved my time in Aix. It's a perfect little city that has remained so authentically French. The streets and fountains in town are so picturesque and the streets are alive with culture and fun. IAU was an amazing host university. They offered us opportunities to meet other students, both American and French.
The range of courses at IAU was great because there was such diversity in the areas of study it atteacted. I lived with an art major, was best friends with an international politics major and was a French education major myself.
If you're enrolling in this program, absolutely take the introduction to wine course. It's only one night per week and class is so much fun. You'll sample different wines and learn to properly taste them. You'll also have the chance to tour different vinyards in Southern France (and of course taste more wine there!)
Everything about my experience from living in Aix to classes at IAU was spectacular. I would go again in a heartbeat and often find myself reminiscing about my time in Aix.

What would you improve about this program?
There was a Facebook group of participants so they could get to know each other before the semester started. The other students knew about this and were talking for weeks before coming to Aix but CIS didn't inform me of this so I was a little late in getting to know my classmates.
10 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Emma
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Study/Intern in Aix-en-Provence, France

I loved this program! The internship coordinator at my school in Aix was so helpful and made sure I was placed in a good environment that would help me grow. My host family was awesome and I learned so much from that experience. I made friends for life--American, French, and more! My life has been impacted for the better and I have grown immeasurably as a person. It was truly an unforgettable semester.

What would you improve about this program?
Some of the directions for applying for my student VISA were a little confusing. It just needs a little revision and it would be perfect.
9 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Kaylee
9/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Review of my Summer in Paris

Hello,
My experience abroad was amazing. It was my first time being in Europe and since I can remember Paris has always been my dream. It was an undesirable feeling knowing I was accomplishing a dream of mine. The program did a fantastic job making sure we not only felt safe but were safe. The excursions we did as a group was awesome as well. Not many people get the opportunity to go abroad let alone in Paris, France. History is my favorite subject and what better place to see amazing artifacts than here. I gained a new appreciation and love for the history and art of Paris. Everyday was an amazing day.
I think future participants would want to know about the safety abroad which CISabroad did an awesome job doing. We were recommended websites to sign up for to get updates everyday about the activity around us. CISabroad also sent texts making sure we were okay. You also have a webinar to go through that provides additional information. They also should do research on their own or ask their advisors questions about anything they aren't aware of.
This impacted my post-program tremendously. I applied for an Alumni Ambassador position through CISabroad and was nominated for it which I am super excited about. Also, studying abroad made me want to overseas again which I plan on doing next summer. I want to help and encourage others to go abroad.
Some tips would be to get your banking cards situated before going overseas. I unfortunately had issues with that the first week of being abroad. My favorite memory would have to be going to the Versailles Palace. I visited there two or three times because I loved it so much. Such beautiful architecture and history. Also at Versailles, you can go to the garden behind the palace and go canoeing for cheap. That was a wonderful experience.

What would you improve about this program?
I don't think there needs to be much improvement with this program. The only thing I would say is I was unaware that I was rooming with four additional women and I didn't know my address of where I lived until the day I left. I would've liked to know a little beforehand that information.
10 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers