International Studies Programs in France

American University Center of Provence, Marseille:
Situated in Marseille in the region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, department of Bouches-du-Rhône in southeastern France, the American University Center of Provence offers for-credit, high-level French immerson programs as Fall, Spring and Year-round options. Courses taught in French focus on French and Arabic language and civilization, Middle East area studies, immigration issues, inter-religious communication and cross-cultural mediation. We offer on-site study in Tunisia in the Fall and Morocco in the Spring.

The American University Center of Provence has the distinction of providing its students with an entirely French-speaking environment.

In addition to the cultural immersion furthered by experiential learning requirements, program participants commit themselves with a formal language pledge to total French language immersion.

AUCP students speak French in all curricular and extra-curricular circumstances: in their classes, with their French host families, with their French friends, as well as within the AUCP student group.

Students and home universities recognize that failure to respect the language pledge may lead to dismissal from the program.

A unique, nationally renowned core program of experiential learning opening doors daily into natural, direct contact with the French, their language, and their culture.

While all AUCP course work is related intimately to each student’s personal cross-cultural experience, the mandatory course French Practicum provides an essential link between academic work and direct French cultural experience.

Joining two worlds:
The subject of numerous articles and professional conferences, French Practicum has received national attention as the cornerstone of the AUCP program for its insistence upon the cultural integration of its students.

Ensuring an innovative interdisciplinary learning experience, the AUCP is built around the assumption that the heart of successful study abroad is not only serious course work but authentic cultural experience and informed, guided reflection on that experience. The comprehensive five-part program, French Practicum, consists of academic course work linked with four interrelated experiential components (individual homestay, a language partner, a personal interest activity, and community service). Capturing the essence of international education, French Practicum brings together the curricular with the extracurricular, what goes on in the classroom during overseas study with the authentic cultural encounters of daily French life.

Classroom Component
In addition to its traditional academic demands and rewards, the classroom component of French Practicum functions as a vital form of "continuing orientation" for students. The course heightens awareness of the demands of cultural adaptation and guides the on-going development of intercultural awareness and competence in cross-cultural communication.

Experiential Components
The following program requirements provide AUCP students with multiple opportunities daily for natural, spontaneous linguistic and cultural contact—living with and like the French.

Fall, Spring and Year- round Programs in
* International Relations
* Political Science
* Immigration
* Middle East Studies
* Cross- Cultural Mediation

- The Programs are taught in French