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Location
  • France
    • Aix-en-Provence
    • Marseille
Term
Academic Year, Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter
Subject Areas
Anthropology Archaeology Art History Arts Business Communications Culinary Arts Cultural Studies Design Economics Education Film Finance History International Business International Relations Liberal Arts Linguistics Literature Marketing Performing Arts Philosophy Photography Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Social Sciences Sociology Theater Visual Arts +20
Need-based funding, Merit-based funding, General grants/scholarships, Payment plans, Work study, LGBTQIA+ funding, BIPOC funding
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Program Details

Program Type
Provider
Degree Level
High School Diploma Associates Bachelors
Housing
Apartment Host Family
Language
English

Pricing

Price Details
Included: Personalized Pre-departure Advising; Tuition & Registration; Travel Medical Insurance; On-site Orientation; Housing; Volunteer Opportunities; On-site Staff Support; Excursions and Cultural Engagement; Host Institution Services & Amenities and more. Scholarships available.
What's Included
Some Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Classes
Jun 14, 2023
Feb 10, 2025
Wish List
105 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Located just 19 miles north of Marseille, the country’s second-largest city and primary commercial port, Aix-en-Provence is a small, walkable city in the south of France with beautiful tree-lined boulevards, historical public squares, artisanal shops, cafés, churches, historic mansions, and over 20 fountains that reflect the city’s origin as Roman spa town. It's an ideal location for day trips to the Mediterranean coast, the French Alps, and Paris.

Our Aix program is designed for students at a high-intermediate or above French language proficiency. Although courses are offered in English and French, four semesters of French are required; intermediate students are accepted on a case-by-case basis.

Interested? Click the “Visit Site” button to learn what’s waiting for you!

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Study Abroad in Aix En Provence, France
Aix En Provence, France
Aix En Provence, France
Aix En Provence, France
Aix En Provence, France

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Diversity & Inclusion 💙

CEA CAPA provides, in conjunction with Diversity Abroad, Destination Guides which provide resources and tips for Black/African-American students, Latinx students, Asian American students, and all other students of color.
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Through our personalized advising, CEA CAPA takes steps to understand the needs of a diversity of student identities like the LGBTQIA+ community. In addition to diversity and identity training, CEA CAPA leadership engage in continuous department level project work to identify and revise policies and practices using the appropriate Justice, Equity, Diversity or Inclusion lens as a frame to reduce bias and barriers that impact students, faculty, and staff. CEA CAPA is intentional in elevating diverse student voices and providing a platform for a broad array of identities to share their experiences abroad. The CEA CAPA World Blog promotes stories and personal experiences from the perspectives of diverse student bloggers and vloggers.
CEA CAPA is willing and able to assist students with learning disabilities and physical disabilities. Students are requested to disclose disabilities through the application health forms as part of their application and in discussion with their application advisor or program manager. The earlier CEA CAPA is made aware of learning or physical disabilities the better we can work with the student, institution, and overseas team to tailor an Individualized Education Program if necessary to support the student.
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Impact 🌎

CEA CAPA makes a conscious effort to create study abroad experiences that leave a positive impact on host communities. Each location implements a variety of strategies to support the local community and promote sustainability. Examples include:

Use of recycling bins in Study Center locations and in CEA CAPA housing

Signage in CEA CAPA housing urging students to limit water and electricity usage

Students are often given reusable bags and water bottles upon arrival to limit single plastic use

Students are provided with instructions for acquiring transportation passes to promote use of public transportation rather than taxis

Program Highlights

  • Hands-on learning experiences that transform the world abroad into a classroom
  • Personalized Pre-Departure Advising, including visa and immigration support
  • Courses offered in English that fulfill major and general graduation requirements
  • Comprehensive on-site support, including 24/7 emergency phone
  • Career workshops, Internships Abroad, and Alumni Ambassador positions

Program Reviews

4.93 Rating
based on 55 reviews
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  • 5 rating 92.73%
  • 4 rating 7.27%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Academics 4.4
  • Support 5
  • Fun 4.8
  • Housing 4.85
  • Safety 4.9
Good for Students, Photographers, Solo Travelers
Showing 49 - 55 of 55 reviews
Default avatar
Anna
31
Female
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best Experience of my Life.

Mar 10, 2016

Aix en Provence felt like home. It is a true French experience, and it's the experience of a lifetime. The city is perfect for students, with easy access to travel, so much to do, and so much to see. I wouldn't trade one single moment of my Aix-perience. The town is safe & welcoming to American students. And I was immersed in French culture (& food!) I encourage anyone who is looking for an authentic French experience, away from the big city to pursue this program. You will not regret it. And you will learn more about yourself than you ever thought possible. Aix is absolutely amazing.

What would you improve about this program?
I wish I would have stayed longer.
94 people found this review helpful.
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Default avatar
Jennie
30
Female
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Drop everything and study in Aix!!

Mar 10, 2016

I absolutely loved my time in Aix. I can't express how much I appreciated the smallness of the town and program. Studying abroad in Aix in the Fall allowed me to have a great small group of 20 or so people to get together with and always have a buddy to travel with! It's so easy to navigate and travel from. I had the time of my life traveling around Europe and Aix really felt like I was coming back home after a weekend trip. Going out at night is easy because of the cheap wine and the city is so walk-able. I recommend here over Paris for a good cultural immersion and wonderful sunny weather! I miss the fresh produce from the farmers markets every morning, the fresh lavender shops, and the always helpful advisers! GO TO AIX!!

What would you improve about this program?
Update the residence hall apartments with a new washer and an oven (or at least a toaster or toaster oven please). Also, better wifi is always something to strive for. :)
86 people found this review helpful.
Helpful
Default avatar
Ariel
30
Female
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

what an aixperience!

Mar 9, 2016

Choosing to study abroad was the best choice I have ever made, and deciding to go to Aix was the second! Aix-en-Provence was the perfect city to be completely immersed culturally and improve my french language skills. Our on site staff were so helpful, always there to make sure we were safe and having fun. I learned so much outside of the classroom and truly made international friendships! I also got really close with my study abroad group because I went in the fall (groups are a little bit smaller in the fall than in the spring). From sipping wine on the Cours Mirabeau to impromptu weekend trips to Barcelona, studying abroad was absolutely incredible. I'd go back today if I could!

What would you improve about this program?
Longer program! I wish I could have come in August.
92 people found this review helpful.
Helpful
Kathleen
31
Female
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

I have never fallen so hard for a city before

Feb 29, 2016

Studying abroad in Aix-en-Provence was the best 3 and a half months I have ever experienced. Before my time there, I had never fallen in love with a city so hard before. The friends I made, and people I came across were amazing every step of the way. I was only a 15 minute walk from the dowtown area and I live with a wonderful host family that cooked fresh meals on a daily basis. The downtown area hosts amazing nightlife and restaurants where I would frequently go out with my fellow Americans and international friends as well. I often went on weekend trips to neighboring countries and towns. By the time I left, I was able to say that I had visited many popular cities in the south of France. The experiences I gained from my semester abroad are unrivaled and I have been daydreaming about going back ever since!

94 people found this review helpful.
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Default avatar
Celeste
31
Female
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The Best Five Months of My Life

Feb 25, 2016

I studied in this charming city during the Spring semester of 2015. Not only did CEA do a wonderful job at placing me with an INCREDIBLE home-stay family who bettered my French and made me delicious meals everyday, but they also brought us on some amazing trips around the south of France. From an all payed weekend trip to Nice and Monaco to horseback riding on the beach, this program satisfied every hope I had for my semester abroad. Aix is also adorned with so many beautiful restaurants and boutiques and has a great atmosphere for students. I plan on returning this year on vacation so I can reminisce on the memories I made there as well as make new ones. It is certainly a place you will want to return to after your study abroad is over.

85 people found this review helpful.
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Bridget
31
Female
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Aix

Dec 18, 2015

Aix-en-Provence is a beautiful city and there are so many opportunities to learn about French culture and the French way of life. Plus, the staff is amazing and they work to help you have the best time possible in Aix! CEA provides countless opportunities to learn about French History and culture through excursions. My favorite was the excursion to Nice and Monte Carlo on Valentines Day. It was awesome to see how the rich and fabulous live for a couple days. I also took my first dip into the Mediterranean that day, even though it was rainy and cold it's a memory I will have for the rest of my life. Aix with CEA is fantastic!

90 people found this review helpful.
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Default avatar
bonjourbrittany
32
Female
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Absolutely Amazing

Nov 27, 2012

I spent the 2011-2012 academic year in Aix. I learned so much about French culture and education all the while being able to practice and improve my French. What was most influential was what the program did for me. It changed me more than I can express but it gave me that opportunity to find myself. CEA Aix changed my life and because of my experience that year, I will be returning to France to do my Masters beginning Fall 2013 ;)

90 people found this review helpful.
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Questions & Answers

Did you stay in a host home? And was it cost effective?
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Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Kathleen Rintelman

Program
CEA CAPA Education Abroad in Aix-en-Provence, France
Kathleen is a graduating senior at Montclair State University in New Jersey, double majoring in psychology and French translation with a minor in Spanish. She spent a year studying abroad in Europe and will be going back to France in August of this year.

Why did you pick this program?

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Vivienne Hamill

Program
CEA CAPA Education Abroad in Aix-en-Provence, France
Job Title
Program Director Aix en Provence
Vivienne specialized in Teaching English as a Foreign Language and taught in various institutions in Aix before discovering the world of study abroad. She has been running the Aix-en-Provence program with CEA since 2001 and thoroughly enjoys the interaction with the students and helping them through what can be a life changing experience. Vivienne received a B.A. Hons in French Studies specializing in Translation and Marketing from the University of Portsmouth in England and also a Post Graduate Diploma in Teaching English as a Foriegn Language from the University of Ulster at Coleraine.

female headshot

Did YOU study abroad?! If so, where and what inspired you to go?

Vivienne: I studied abroad in Aix en Provence and loved it so much that I decided to live here permanently! It was mandatory by my university in England to spend an academic year at a university in France. Initially I had wanted to go to Paris but then one of my friends came back from his year abroad and recommended me to go to Aix.

Aix is a perfect city to live and study. It’s small, manageable, winding streets, outdoor cafés, daily farmers markets, sunny days and blue skies. It’s a great student town – 40 000 students and the entire population is only 140 000. I love Aix and highly recommend for a study abroad destination.

What was your favorite traveling experience?

Vivienne: My favorite traveling experience was a 3 week trip to Indonesia last year. It was my first time in Asia and I travelled alone. I visited Bali and the Gili islands and was totally blown away by the gentleness of the people and their culture. Up to then I had travelled a lot in Europe or South America and always with others.

The trip to Indonesia by myself got me totally out of my comfort zone. At first it was daunting and overwhelming, but then I met so many amazing people and felt really comfortable. It was a great experience traveling alone because I would not have been as open to meeting new people if I had been traveling with friends.

Why is language learning and cultural immersion important to you?

Vivienne: Language learning and cultural immersion change people and affects their perception of life. A person cannot be culturally immersed in a country if they do not speak the language. Cultural immersion is not just a matter of being in a foreign country and assuming that one will absorb the language and culture.

It is an everyday struggle to communicate in a new language and at the same time finding new, culturally appropriate ways of dealing with these new situations. We are parachuted out of a safe classroom environment and are plunged into challenging situations where we have to take charge of our learning process in ways we have never done before. There is no better life-learning experience.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

Vivienne:
I started working for CEA in 2001. Up to working for CEA my longest job was 18 months. Previous to CEA I had very little experience working with Americans. I still find it hard to believe that I have been working for over 13 years for the same company and still enjoy the job.. Before I “did a job” and did not often get any real work satisfaction.

I love my job with CEA. There is not one day that I don’t get up in the morning and not feel like going to work. In fact, it is more a way of life than a job. Working with American students is very rewarding. In my role as Program Director I have been able to implement my passion for living in France, my strengths, values and motivations into my work days, and as a result I am happier in life and do my utmost to transmit this to others.

About CEA CAPA Education Abroad

With 22 destinations across 13 countries, CEA CAPA Education Abroad offers an ideal balance of academics, internships, and adventure to more than 4,000 students each year. Click on “Visit Site” to explore our study and internship opportunities and find out just out how far international education can take you. Why study abroad or complete an...

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