INSTITUTE FOR AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES CENTRE d'AVIGNON
The Institute for American Universities Centre d'Avignon is located in the center of the city. Avignon is located on the
Rhône River, 50 miles from the Mediterranean. Only 4-1/2 hours from Paris by train, Avignon is within a day's travel to Italy, Spain, Switzerland, the Alps, and the French Riviera.
Its theater, cinemas and wide variety of cultural, social and sports activities combined with the unsurpassed beauty of the region and the nearby Alps contribute significantly to Avignon's attraction as a center for study in France.
IAU has worked in collaboration with the Universitaire d'Avignon since 1967 to provide French majors with first-hand experience with France and the French university. Classes held in the 14th century Chapelle Saint Antoine, a charming learning setting with contemporary classrooms.
Academic Program Highlights
All courses at the Centre d'Avignon are given in French, and the program focuses on French studies: advanced language, literature, history, art history, and civilization. At least one French language course is recommended. Courses are taught chiefly by tenured faculty of l'Universite d'Avignon.
Qualified students may also audit courses at l'Universite d'Avignon and earn credit by examination at the IAU Centre d'Avignon. Students with at least two semesters of college-level French and a 2.5 GPA are eligible for the program. The program is open to students at freshman through senior standing, who must supply transcripts and two letters of recommendation for admission.
Student Life
Students are housed in homes of French host families, an immersion which is an integral part of the education abroad experience. Through their families, students benefit from meeting local residents and exploring customs and traditions not seen in the classroom. All meals except lunch are taken with the family.
There is a variety of recreational activities open to students. In addition to program-related travel, students often travel with their host families and friends. Shortly after arrival, students are linked with an animateur/trice, a French student who helps with integration into the community and improvement of French language skills. Several trips to tour the city and its cultural offerings as well as the surrounding region are organized as an integral part of the student's academic program.