I could go on and on about how amazing of a trip this was for me. In a snapshot though, the program taught me a lot about myself and what I thought I couldn't accomplish, I could. They brought us on field trips on Sundays, created events for us to meet

other French students and introduced me to new best friends and a loving host family. Aix-en-Provence is a great location in that it is close to a lot of small towns in Provence but also close to Marseille which was an easy bus trip to get to the airport for the other bigger excursions. Yes, the town is small, but I didn't find it too small. There was always a new store to pop your head into and the local bakers on the routes you tend to take got to know you which made it feel like home. Some negatives though, as it would not be fair to give this a 10/10. I thought they could have done a better job on the first arrival weekend, coordinating with the host parents. Some of the professors did not teach very well and they were serious classes I was taking so I felt a little behind with the rest of my friends back in the States. Also, it's very english orientated so if you want the full immersion, I wouldn't attend this. However, it was perfect for me because I got to speak French everywhere else (house, shops, trips, etc.) and knew I had one place to go back to where I could be comfortable in my language. Also, don't expect too much on the food from host parents. They have a budget, they stick to it. I would have liked the ability to have some space in the kitchen for my own food to make lunches since Aix is pretty pricey. The administration staff were fantastic. They really wanted to make you feel at home. Overall, I would go back in a flash and if you're debating between this program and another, stop debating and TAKE THIS ONE!

IAU is a good study abroad experience if you're looking for an English-heavy study abroad. The town, Aix-en-Provence, is a good place to spend a semester, but it's really quite small and expensive. My host mom made it a wonderful experience, and it

was fun to have a group of Americans to befriend, but it felt like more of a semester off of school with other Americans than a "Study Abroad" experience. Really really good professors, but low academic standards. And not much school-sponsored trips, as compared to my friends who did other study abroad programs. It's kind of cold there, but it is very pretty, and it's really easy to get around France/Europe from Aix. Definitely a fun place to go if you're looking for a fun, bar-hopping semester.