Aix-en-Provence
IAU’s global flagship campus is in Aix-en-Provence, a charming university town located in the southern region of France. The city of Aix (pronounced like the letter “X”) provides traditional French culture in an intimate setting, while offering the appeal and elegance of a large metropolis. The historic town is known for its beloved painter, Paul Cézanne, who painted the surrounding rolling landscape, including Mont Sainte-Victoire. Local field studies during both semester and summer programs provide students with an enhanced awareness of Provençal culture while giving them a unique and unparalleled French experience. While abroad, students explore Aix and the surrounding regions through courses, field studies, and cultural activities. IAU’s campus in Aix is centrally located in the historic part of town just a few doors down from local French universities, shops, and cafes.
Barcelona
IAU offers study abroad opportunities in the lively and beautiful city of Barcelona, Spain. Located along the Mediterranean Sea, the city of Barcelona allows students to experience the culture of Catalunya. The mild climate, famed cuisine and breathtaking arts give the Mediterranean region a distinct feel, unique from anywhere else in the world. Students in Barcelona will have the opportunity to practice their language skills in the classroom and also with native Spanish speakers through language exchange programs and cultural events. Students who participate in this program will develop a deeper understanding of the Spanish language and its relationship to Catalan history and culture. Full of masterpieces by the famous artists Salvador Dalí and Antoni Gaudí, the city is a classroom in and of itself, exposing students to Modernist and Surrealist architecture and paintings.
Florence
IAU’s Florence Program features two programs: a Business, Fashion, and Liberal Arts program in partnership with the Accademia Italiana, and a Performing Arts and Music program in partnership with the prestigious Accademia Europea di Firenze (AEF). In both programs, students can engage with other international and local Italian students. IAU’s Florence Center is located in the historic Piazza della Repubblica, which has been a central point in the city since the Roman times, as the original site of the forum, and serving as the commercial hub during the Middle Ages. IAU’s center is on the top floor, with views of the Duomo and Giotto’s Campanile.
Madrid
The IAU Madrid Program offers courses from a variety of disciplines including Spanish, art, business, engineering, history, political science, and religious studies, as well as an early start language and culture program. During their term abroad, students take a full academic load, which is a combination of courses taught by IAU and IAU’s Spanish partner’s faculty. The IAU Madrid Program’s administrative office is centrally located, making support staff easily accessible to students on a daily basis.
Traveling Seminars
Can’t choose just one country? IAU offers January Term (J-Term) Traveling Seminars that visit multiple locations. On J-Term, students travel for two to three weeks between the fall and spring semesters. Students can also choose to start their study abroad experience early by participating in a J-Term before their spring semester in Aix-en-Provence, Barcelona, Madrid, or Florence.