Ode to France
« No country does life on earth better than the French, » commented an anonymous American known only by his alias on the New York Times’ website, the night of the recent terrorist attacks in Paris. Massively shared on French social media and on all major French media websites, this touching « ode to France » rang true, lifting heavy hearts throughout the country.
5 Reasons Why Living With a French Host Family Is The Best
Living with a French host family is often cited as AUCP students’ favorite aspect of their experience abroad. Yet in general, students are hesitant to embrace this form of housing… Here are five reasons why individual homestay in a local host family is your fastest way to linguistic and intercultural fluency.
Olive Picking in Provence
East coasters go apple picking, AUCP students go olive picking! Aix student Geneva Hutcheson lent a hand picking olives with her host family and their friends. She was joined by AUCP Resident Student Advisor Nitin Beeharry, who, fifteen years ago, was an AUCP student himself and benefittted from the same host family!
The Marseillais Make Montécaos!
What’s a montécao, you ask? Our AUCP Marseille students found out! Monday evening, a group of students went to a local oriental pâtisserie to learn how to make this traditional North African cookie whose recipe dates back over a thousand years!
La Vie est Belle
This moving piece exemplifies the ways in which cross-cultural encounters can lead to profound questionning and personal growth. It was written in French by Austin College student Sarah Elena Dillabough, during her semester abroad at the AUCP Marseille.
Les Boulangeries
Bridget Moran wrote this mouthwatering article in French during her semester abroad at the AUCP Marseille. At semester’s end, Bridget was not only fluent in French but also in French breads, cakes, croissants, macaroons, tartes, and petits-fours!
FAQ: Does My French Visa Allow Me To Travel Pre/Post Study Abroad?
Many study abroad students take time to travel before or after their semester abroad – but many don’t know what the implications are for their visas. As part of a series of Frequently Asked Questions on Le Blog, this article talks about visa validity dates and pre- or post-study abroad travel in Europe.
Pourquoi Je Suis Venue en France
« En Français dans le Texte » is a brand new AUCP Le Blog category showcasing the written work that students produce in class. This particular piece was written by Fall 2015 student Gabby, from Tulane University, about the reasons why she decided to study abroad in France.
How to Frenchify Yourself in 11 Steps
Many AUCP students come to the France with the goal of French fluency. But fluency isn’t just about language, it’s also about behavior! Check out these 11 ways to act French, guaranteed to tickle any Francophile!
Marseille – La Ville du Soleil
« En Français dans le Texte » is a brand new AUCP Le Blog category showcasing the written work that students produce in class. This particular piece, about the Marseillais and their relationship with weather, was written by Fall 2014 student Lars, from Grinnell College. If you want to know more about Lars and his semester abroad, check out the interview he did while abroad « Meet Lars! »
Meet AUCP Marseille Alum Dana!
Meet AUCP Marseille Alum Dana Azzoug, née Hauck! Currently living and working in Detroit, Michigan, where she is Bilingual Director of Golf Digest Planner with the J Ryder Group. Her French still serves her to this day, read more to find out just how much!
Rugby in Provence
As part of his AUCP Personal Interest Activity requirement, University of Pennsylvania student Tabong Kima discovered a local university rugby club right here in Aix-en-Provence, France.
Above and Beyond Picture Perfect
AUCP Fall students from both Aix and Marseille came together for their first day-long excursion and discovered first-hand the architectureal harmony of the legendary hilltop villages of Provence. It was a sunny day that brought to life all of the romantic images that Provence is made of, and more…
Welcome Fall Students!
Last week, the AUCP welcomed two new groups of students from America’s finest universities. Fall 2015 will be a semester of discovery, new relationships, and unparalleled learning. But above all, it will be très, très français !!
Saying Au Revoir
We said au revoir to our Summer class of 2015 !
Soupe de Melon Glacé a la Menthe
Une soupe de melon à la menthe bien fraîche pour l’été !
Lavender, Honey and Cheese, Oh My!
Imagine Provence. What comes to mind? Endless fields of lavender, olive oil, cheese and more! Last week, AUCP Summer students explored the quintessential farmlands of Provence, and discovered what goes into producing lavender, honey and olive oil … these important emblems of Provence!
Le Festival d’Aix: Aix Outshines Paris
Yesterday, AUCP Summer students saw an opera by Mozart under the stars in one of the most emblematic open-air theaters in Aix-en-Provence. No need to go to Paris, the largest, most renowned Opera Festival in France takes place every summer right here in Aix-en-Provence, and our students are a part of it!
Fête de la Musique 2015
AUCP summer students will be dancing in the streets of Aix-en-Provence on June 21st! Launched by France’s charismatic Minister of Culture…
Learning to Be Philosophical
Today is a big day for French high school students. Around 685,000 of them will be sweating it out during a four-hour essay exam in philosophy that marks the beginning of six long days of examinations leading to the French baccalaureate.
AUCP Summer Excursions
This summer AUCP students will enjoy four faculty-led field trips and discover the cultural heritage and traditions of Provence. Check out the summer field trip calendar and wish you were here!
Welcome Summer Students!
This week AUCP welcomes its new group of students for an intensive six-week summer session. This will be an unforgettable summer among the fountains, cafés and sunshine of Provence.
How to Use Your Study Abroad Experience to Get a Job
To help you begin reflecting on your experience and thinking about how you can present it in the future, take a look at the following skills/competencies that employers need in the international workplace. Clearly, study abroad gives you a serious leg up…
Return on Investment of Study Abroad
This detailed infographic shows that study abroad really is worth it! What do you think?
Here’s what Spring Students Are Saying About AUCP Study Abroad!
We said farewell to our class of Spring 2015 just last week. But before they said their last goodbyes to the South of France, we asked them to share their thoughts about their experience abroad.
AUCP Study Abroad Spring 2015 – in Video!
We said au revoir to our lovely Spring class of 2015 at the farewell cocktail Friday evening, bringing together professors, staff and students. Check out a video, here!
Where do AUCP Students Spend Spring Break?
AUCP Study Abroad students just got back from their Spring break. They had two gloriously sunny weeks to take advantage of Aix and Marseille’s ideal locations to travel throughout France and Europe – before their final exams this week.
AUCP Art Students On Show!
AUCP Art students showed off their talents at the AUCP Soirée Jeunes Talents, in the presence of their classmates, host families, and friends.
Tarte aux Poireaux
Si vous ne connaissez pas les poireaux, cette tarte est une bonne introduction à ce légume plein de vitamines!
Poulet Sauté aux Oignons Confits
Des oignons confits apportent de la saveur et de la douceur à ce plat gourmand!
Summer Cooking Classes
This summer, in addition to their AUCP university coursework, students will have the opportunity to learn the deliciously fresh and easy culinary traditions of Provence, through hands-on classes with celebrated local Chef, Bruno Ungaro.
Poulet aux Morilles
Le poulet se marie à merveille avec ces petits champignons distinctifs, les morilles, pour exciter vos papilles!
Duo de Sole et Dorade aux Champignons
Un mariage de deux poissons de la région; ils sont cuits doucement au four et adoucis à la crème de champignons.
Velouté d’Epinard
Un velouté à servir chaud ou froid pour une entrée originale.
Dos de Cabillaud & Langoustines en Bouillabaisse
La bouillabaisse et le plat typique de Marseille. A l’origine un plat de pêcheur fait avec les restes de poisson invendus, aujourd’hui la bouillabaisse est un plat prisé servi dans les meilleurs restaurants en bord de mer!
Tartare d’Avocats et de Crevettes
Un petit tartare frais et goûteux. C’est simple et parfumé.
Velouté de Potiron & Mousseline de Chèvre Frais
Il fait encore froid et le potiron est de saison! Réchauffez-vous avec cette soupe goûteuse, relevé par une petite quenelle de fromage de chèvre frais.
Crème de Citron
Une crème de citron aux saveurs acidulés – testez vos connaissances culinaires et cuisinez cette crème onctueuse pour un beau dessert!
Tarte Sablée aux Abricots
Révisez votre vocabulaire culinaire avec cette tarte sablée aux abricots a toutes les saveurs de Provence en été! Un régal avec vos invités.
Tarte aux Poires et à l’Amande
Une tarte parfaite aux douces saveurs de fruits de saison.
Crêpes Suzette au Caramel
Des crêpes, des crêpes et encore des crêpes! Cette recette doucement parfumée à l’orange donnera envie à tous!
Moelleux au Chocolat
Mmm, chocolate… A surprisingly simple recipe for a chocolate lava cake, tout en français!
Tarte Tatin aux Pommes
Test your French cooking vocabulary and try out this fabulous recipe for a Tarte Tatin aux Pommes (an upside-down apple tart), a classic of French patisserie.
Ever Dreamed of Rock Climbing in Provence?
Ever dreamed of rock climbing in Provence? Check out Maureen’s story: this lover of the outdoors got to continue her mountaineering passion while studying abroad, in French!
AUCP Students Explore Provence’s Wild West: La Camargue!
Led by ‘Provence Through Literature and Film’ professor Marie-Anne Rossignol, AUCP students visited the wild west of Provence – La Camargue – a lovely Springtime excursion that highlighted the history and landscapes described in works by prolific Provençal authors Joseph d’Arbaud and Frédéric Mistral.
Recipe: Daube de Poulet Mauritienne
Students spent last Tuesday in the AUCP kitchen! French language partners joined in for an authentically Francophone home-made lunch in the garden. We’re sharing a recipe for a fabulous and unique Franco-Mauritian Daube de Poulet from Recettes de Famille, an AUCP student collection of French recipes shared with their host families.
Spotlight on Provence Through Literature & Film
What comes to mind when you think of Provence? AUCP in-house class « Provence Through Literature & Film » takes you beyond the postcard images to discover the South of France through the eyes of influential Provençal authors, poets and film directors.
Having a Ball or Interacting with French Students? Both!
Last Saturday, French university ‘Ecole Nationale des Arts et Métiers’ made its mark on student nightlife in Aix with its extravagant annual Costume Ball. AUCP students spent an evening out alongside their language partners at a soirée filled with clowns, tightrope walkers, mimes and more…
Poisson d’Avril!
Spring brings out the jokester in all of us with the poisson d’avril, the French equivalent of April Fools’ Day. The history of the « April Fish, » some newsworthy April Fools jokes in France and key prank-worthy French vocab, here!
Students Discover the Fine Wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Led by Joël Corre, AUCP Culture and Business of French Wines professor and head of the Aix Institut d’Oenologie, AUCP students visited the world-renowned Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine region of Provence.