Globalization, Europeanization, entrepreneurism, and multiculturalism describe the fast-moving trends affecting France today. Socially, culturally, politically, economically, it is a country in the process of redefining and recrafting itself. Being in the thick of this vitality will give you an unprecedented cross-cultural perspective.
Home to numerous multinational corporations and a primary European hub for industries such as Fashion and Textile, Aeronautics, Optronics, Biotechnologies and the Food Industry, Provence is the perfect place to study trade, industry, commerce, business and law with an international perspective. Students benefit greatly from the close proximity of this diverse group of companies and organizations.
Outside Paris, you have direct access to the traditional culture. In addition to experiencing society's contemporary revolution, it is still possible to find the "real" France. In the south, alongside the historic Provençal civilization high technology and advanced service-sector industries are growing rapidly.
Despite the current change and growth, France remains a deeply romantic country whose people celebrate individuality and equality, aesthetic style and attitude, the importance of art in every-day life, the senses, the stomach, and who demand time from the day to ensure that freedom of/for civilized indulgence/living survives.
IAU Mission Statement
The Institute for American Universities (IAU) is a study abroad program located in Aix-en-Provence and Avignon, France, for undergraduates attending American colleges. Courses in the humanities, social sciences and fine arts are offered in French and English. Students are encouraged to live with French families. In the context of Provence's rich Mediterranean heritage, IAU delivers the highest quality curriculum and guides students, both French majors and non-French majors, to cultural competency while fostering a life-long affinity for the culture, language and people of France.
History of IAU
Founded in 1957 under the auspices of l'Université d'Aix-Marseille, chartered by the Regents of the University of the State of New York, the Institute for American Universities is one of the oldest and largest education abroad programs in Europe. IAU has served as an academic center for more than 700 colleges and universities and more than 16,000 students-its present annual enrollment overall is at more than 400-and continues to make study in France available to students who recognize the life-long value of living in and exploring a culture other than their own.
Faculty at IAU
IAU hires scholars, professionals and practicing professionals to teach its courses. In the programs taught in English and French, faculty members are bilingual; many have extensive experience teaching US college students in international settings. In the all-French program, faculty members are native French speakers; most are from the French university system or from US campuses. IAU takes seriously the quality of its academic offerings and, therefore, works with its professors to continuously improve classroom dynamics and learning. For more details on who teaches at IAU, please click on "Programs" in each center-specific section.