FRANCE - ISEP Aix-Marseille Universite: Language Learning

To be eligible to participate in this program, students must meet the following requirements:

• Good academic and judicial standing during time of application AND time of participation in program
• Undergraduates must have completed at least two semesters of study at Lake Forest College AND have second-semester sophomore status or higher before participation. 
• At least 18 years of age by the program’s departure date. 
• Be able to stay at the host program for the duration of the semester, including through the exam and travel periods
• Minimum GPA of 2.75.  
• There is no language pre-requisite for SUFLE

Students applying to ISEP must apply for an Exchange option (in any country) as a first choice but may apply to a Direct option as a back-up. Direct options may have an additional cost (see a financial section for more information).

Aix-Marseille Université is situated on two main campuses in Aix-en-Provence and Marseille. The towns are 30 km apart and are connected by a shuttle service (approx. a 20 minutes’ bus ride). These two lively towns are one hour by plane and three hours by TGV train from Paris. 

Aix-en-Provence is famous for its historical and cultural heritage. The campus is located downtown. Marseille is the second largest city in France and a major European center. The campus is located north of town and it is approximately a 20 minutes’ tube or bus ride to the town center or seafront.

To learn more about the visa process for this country, please visit the ISEP Country Handbook for France. 

The French Language & Culture program is an excellent option for students at all French language levels! Students take courses alongside other international students at their language level. This fully immersive program focuses on French conversation and phonetics and also gives students the opportunity to participate in thematic workshops such as: Business French, French History, French Cinema, etc. Each semester offers 20 hours of class per week, allowing students to obtain an Aix-Marseille University Diploma (D.U. of French Language & Culture) and 30 ECTS credits per semester. 

Program Website 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

France operates on the ECTS credit System. ECTS credits take into account the total student workload per class or degree program. 30 ECTS credits is equivalent to a full semester for French students. ISEP students may not be expected to take as many credits. 

In programs that utilize only ECTS credits:

Students must take 27 ECTS credits to earn 4 Lake Forest credits, or 20.5 ECTS credits to earn 3 Lake Forest credits.

Some programs in France use contact hours instead of (or in addition to) ECTS credits. In these cases, it is recommended to use the system that most benefits the students. One formula to determine number of Lake Forest credits is: (Weekly Hours in Class X Weeks in Term)/42

To earn 4 Lake Forest credits, students must take 168 total contact hours.

To Earn 3 Lake Forest credits, students must take 126 total contact hours.
The number of credits listed here is estimated, and GEO will work with you, your advisor, and the registrar to ensure you are earning enough credits to keep you on track for graduation.

Full Year or semester enrollment in French language and literature studies at the SUFLE (Service Universitaire du Français Langue Étrangère) 
All levels are available from beginner to advanced. All the teaching is delivered by professors, lecturers, various members of the University’s teaching staff and professors associated with the Institute. Each student has 20 hours of tuition per week. Students will be offered a variety of French literature and civilization courses.  No prior knowledge of French is required. Instruction available beginner through advanced levels.

The French Language & Culture program is an excellent option for students at all French language levels! Students take courses alongside other international students at their language level. This fully immersive program focuses on French conversation and phonetics and also gives students the opportunity to participate in thematic workshops such as Business French, French History, French Cinema, etc. Each semester offers 20 hours of class per week, allowing students to obtain an Aix-Marseille University Diploma (D.U. of French Language & Culture) and 30 ECTS credits per semester. 

 Click the link “Tips for Finding Courses” for more help.

The actual number of hours in a class varies according to the department or subject and the amount of work expected of students outside of class. Courses usually meet 1-2 hours each week, meaning you will probably be taking a higher number of courses than at home. Most current ISEP students in France are taking 12-15 units per semester.

Please review the ISEP country handbook for more information on the education system.

ORIENTATION

The International Relations Office will establish links with academic tutors. Individual interviews with the person responsible for the international relations in each department is planned upon the student’s arrival. Students will receive assistance in opening a bank account and requesting a housing allowance (CAF) and their residence permit. Orientation also includes a tour of campus and of local shops and is when students will purchase a bus pass. 

ARRIVAL DETAILS 

The students will be welcomed by the International Relations Office. Students are strongly encouraged to arrive during the week and during office hours. An arrival form will be sent to every student prior to their departure. It should be completed and sent back to the host institution before the required deadline so that arrangements can be made to meet the arriving student at the airport or at Aix-en-Provence TGV station.

STUDENT ACTIVITIES

International students have many opportunities to participate in extra-curricular activities as there are more than 50 student organizations available in Aix and Marseille. 

A special program for international students, the “Buddy program” gives the opportunity to students to be matched to a French student from Aix-Marseille Université before departure. The partner then offers friendship, advice on social activities, and academic guidance.

The welcome party for International students is followed by a day trip to a famous place (St Tropez, Arles etc.)

Both Aix-en-Provence and Marseille offer many cultural activities through their theaters, cinemas, music and film festivals etc.

ISEP students live in single-occupancy rooms in residence halls and receive a stipend for meals. Halls of residence are mixed.

For all approved programs for guaranteed financial aid transferability, students pay their Lake Forest College tuition plus a program fee. The program fee for a semester with the ISEP Exchange includes orientation, on-site director, college fees, housing, and the equivalent of 19/meals per week.  

Here is an estimated budget for the Fall 2019/Spring 2020 programs:

Tuition rates and program fees are subject to change each year, but this information was up-to-date as of March 2019. We will notify applicants, and update this page if the program fee or other estimates change.

You can discuss with Financial Aid your specific aid package and your expected family contribution.

Deposits to other programs, if required, are paid by the student to the host program, and will appear as a credit on your study abroad term bill from the College.

Keep in mind that you may spend more or less in certain areas like personal expenses, travel, meals, or airfare, depending on exchange rates and your own spending habits. Classroom or lab fees are not included in this estimate and will depend on your course registration choices.  

Don’t forget to apply for scholarships! A great listing can be found here.