Students study at the Institute for American Universities (IAU) in Aix-en-Provence. The university was founded in 1957 by academics and former diplomats. It began as a platform for American students interested in diplomacy and foreign service, offering a study abroad program under the nearby Université d’Aix-Marseille. IAU – Aix-en-Provence is one of the oldest American-style, English-language liberal arts educational institutions in Western Europe. The town is home to the famous post-Impressionist painter Paul Cézanne.

Program Dates

• Fall: Students depart late August and return to Loyola mid/late December. Students often will have a fall break in late-October.

• Spring: Students depart late January through mid-May. Students often will have a spring break sometime in March/April.

Students receive the following benefits on the Aix-en-Provence program:

• Tuition and housing fees at IAU Aix-en-Provence

• Cultural workshops and excursions

• On-site orientation upon arrival

• Pre-departure orientation at Loyola

• Round-trip airfare is included in your program fee

Loyola University Maryland relies on the professional student office at IAU Aix-en-Provence. The International Office at IAU Aix-en-Provence supports LUM students while abroad, including an onsite orientation and introductory program at the beginning of each semester.

• Onsite support – International office

• Admissions

• Accommodations

• Visa preparation

• Health and Wellness Program

• Counselors

• 24/7 emergency assistance

Courses are offered in English and French.

• Students in this program live in IAU Aix-en-Provence housing, typically in with local homestay families, although some shared apartments are also available.

• Students who live in homestays have some meals included; students who live in apartments do not have a meal plan.

Loyola financial aid applies and students are eligible for consideration for all forms of federal, state, institutional and private sources of aid except the Federal Work Study Program. Students studying abroad for either a semester or full academic year will forfeit the value of a Federal Work-Study assignment for the semester(s) that they go abroad. If the student qualifies for federal work study, they can use the award for the semester they are on campus during their abroad year.

If you receive GI/Veterans benefits, please contact our Registrar’s office as soon as possible before you apply!

• Students/parents pay the following charges to Loyola:

• Loyola Tuition

• Loyola Housing

• Study Abroad Program fee

• International Insurance Premium

Items not included in the Loyola charges but should be budgeted for on this program (items marked with * are required for the Aix-en-Provence program):

• *Meals (if not in a homestay program - suggested budget of $1,000- $ 1,200 per month)

• Visa fees – approximately $400

• Cell phones and other communication expenses

• Personal travel costs

Medical insurance is provided for all students during the program term by Loyola University Maryland through Chubb Insurance. This insurance coverage includes medical evacuation and repatriation, as well as 24-hour support services for medical issues. This insurance functions as primary insurance while abroad.

Students are required to submit a copy of their U.S. health insurance card/policy. Please be sure not to cancel your US insurance policy while abroad since the provided insurance only functions while on program and outside of the US.

Students will be required to obtain a student visa before going to IAU/Aix-en-Provence for their semester abroad. Visas cost around $400 (prices vary year to year) and will allow students to stay in France during the entirety of their program term. More information can be found in the OIP or on IAU/Aix-en-Provence’s website.

• Loyola will arrange and pay for group travel to and from Aix-en-Provence. Any changes to the student’s booked itinerary is at their own cost. Loyola does not pay for any flight deviations or tickets changes. Group flights are arranged for students traveling to Aix-en-Provence.
• Flight departures are usually from Newark International Airport in New Jersey or JFK Airport in New York.
• Students fly into nearby Marseille airport (MRS).

 

Application Requirements

Students must submit an online application AND a Course Planning form by 11:59 pm on the first Wednesday after Thanksgiving break of their sophomore year to study abroad in the fall or spring term of junior year.

· Attend a Study Abroad 101 information session.

· Declare a major before applying to the study abroad program.

· Discuss with your major advisor the possible courses you could take abroad and see if there are any potential problems, he/she sees with your plans to study abroad; Students cannot be on disciplinary probation nor have a history of serious disciplinary problems.

Criteria for Acceptance

· Minimum cumulative CQPA average of 2.75.

· Students who can find courses which fit their Loyola program and allow full-time participation and who are neither on disciplinary probation nor have a history of serious disciplinary problems.

· ROTC candidates can apply as freshman to study abroad in the spring of their sophomore year.

· An academic interview with the program coordinator at Loyola University Maryland is required.