Vanderbilt-In-France - Aix en Provence

at-a-glance:

The Vanderbilt-in-France program, located in Aix-en-Provence in the South of France, celebrated its forty-fifth anniversary in 2006 and is one of the two oldest study abroad programs for Americans in this charming city.  Since its founding, Vanderbilt in France has been located in a historic building on one of the most picturesque streets in Aix, la rue Cardinale.

In addition to basic coursework in French language, the Vanderbilt program is developing new emphases to respond to the geo-political realities of the 21st century.  Spring term students will take their study tour in Tunisia, discovering the culture of North Africa while putting its strong influence on French culture into context.   

Vanderbilt offers a rich program of excursions throughout the southern region, as well as options relating to academic work such as visits to museums in Paris. A special effort is made to enrich the cultural life of students through social experiences, supplementary courses in cuisine and oenology, and special events. The aim is to provide support to students as they move to linguistic and cultural competence.

academics

Courses are offered at the Vanderbilt Center by French faculty with a strong reputation as excellent teachers, as well as scholars. At the same time, close cooperation exists between Vanderbilt and other educational institutions in Aix, making possible opportunities for specialized courses outside the center on the rue Cardinale. In addition to core courses in French language, literature, and culture, courses are also offered in a variety of disciplines, from political science to art history. Students who require a special course for their major may take it at another institute in Aix.  Students with a high level of French may be able to enroll in the Université de Provence in Aix.

Students also have the option of participating in an internship with a local organization or business for academic credit.  These internships represent an exceptional opportunity to work alongside French people and gain an insight into their lives and culture.  Some previous internship sites include the Ballet Preljocaj, the Marseilles children’s hospital, local elementary schools, and more. 

Academic Links:

Online Course Catalogue

Online Course Catalogue 2

Internships

Vanderbilt-in-France Blog

student life

Students find it easy to fall in love with Aix, with its many opportunities for relaxing at a café, watching world class dance performances, shopping at the market and so much more.  The Vanderbilt-in-France Center and its annex a short walk away offer wireless internet services, a small library and kitchen, room to relax, and a meeting point for students. 

All VIF classes take place at the Center on rue Cardinale and are comprised of the mostly Vanderbilt students who attend the program.  VIF tutors, commonly young French students, assist students with their work.  Students are expected to speak French at all times at the center and on excursions.

Please visit the VIF Center’s website with entries and pictures from students of every term and a great deal of program information. 

housing

Students live in apartments in Aix with varying levels of contact with native French speakers to help improve their language skills.  The most popular option for students is to live an apartment shared with other VIF participants and 1-2 French students.  These apartments have single and double rooms with shared, bathroom, kitchen, and common room facilities.  Alternatively, students may request to live alone in a small studio apartment or in other small apartments with just 1-2 other VIF participants.  All VIF students are expected to speak French in their housing at all times. 

VIF students receive a partial board plan included in their program fee.  Three nights a week, students eat dinner in small groups with French people in their homes.  This feature of the program offers an excellent opportunity to practice speaking conversationally in a realistic situation. 

location

The Vanderbilt-in-France program is located in Aix-en-Provence, a small town of about 140,000 people in the southern region of Provence.  Aix (pronounced “X”) is roughly 30 minutes from Marseilles and the Mediterranen, 2 hours from the Alps, 3 hours by high speed train to Paris, and conveniently located for visits to Italy and Spain. 

Known for its many fountains throughout the city and its picturesque location, artists such as Cezanne have captured the beauty of the area and writers such as Peter Mayle have documented life à la Provençal.  Vanderbilt-in-France students will have the opportunity to experience this lifestyle by immersing themselves in local culture as well as through numerous excursions throughout the region.

expenses

Program Costs: Semester Costs; Summer Costs

application

Vanderbilt-In-France Application

Recommendation Forms

Essay Requirement