Arles Summer | IES Abroad

Arles Summer - Study in Provence

This program is temporarily suspended for Summer 2021. Explore our other study abroad programs for 2021, as well as details on our health & safety protocols, travel guidelines, refund policy, and more.

Summer 2021

As we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, we continue to cautiously assess how we can deliver safe, quality programming this summer.

While some of the details of this program may need to shift for Summer 2021—such as housing and field trips, based on changing travel/quarantine regulations—you can rest assured knowing that the essence of this program will stay the same, including the academic focus and the opportunity to learn both inside and outside the classroom.

As always, every decision we make for this term will be guided by our Students First philosophy, which puts you, your well-being, and your academic and personal growth at the forefront. Our advice? Give yourself the chance to study abroad this summer by submitting an application, and know that we’re planning for all of the what if’s so you can have a safe, healthy, and study abroad-filled summer. We and our refund policy have your back.

Why Arles?

The charming Provençal town of Arles, with a 2,000-year-old Roman arena at its center, is famous for its impressive Roman and medieval sites, picturesque streets, and association with Van Gogh, Gauguin, Cézanne, and Picasso. A magnificent new tower designed by Frank Gehry housing a contemporary arts center. Many dance, music, photography, theater, and folklore festivals take place in and around Arles throughout the summer, making it a vibrant location for study abroad in France.

What You'll Study

Immerse yourself in French language practice and the rich cultures of Provence. Highlights of this program are the language-intensive lunches that take place at local restaurants, where you practice your French with IES Abroad professors and staff. Fridays are reserved for course-related activities and trips: concerts at the Roman theater, trips to Aix-en-Provence or Le Pont du Gard, museum visits, and more.

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$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid

We firmly believe that financial limitations should not prevent a qualified student from participating in an IES Abroad Program. This is why we commit more than $6 million to our scholarship and aid programs.

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Academics

Create your own academic experience by enrolling in two French-taught courses.

Courses

Courses are taught at the IES Abroad Center by local faculty.

Art History
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
AH 320 - 19th Century Art: Impressionism and Post-Impressionism	Summer	French	3

French Language
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
FR 301 - Topics In Advanced French Grammar And Culture	Summer	French	3

Photography
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
PG 320 - History Of Photography In France	Summer	French	3

Sociology
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
SO 325 - French Immigrant Communities In The 20Th Century	Summer	French	3

Field Trips & Events

Day-trip destinations may include Le Pont du Gard and les Baux de Provence, Avignon, and Aix-en-Provence.

Course-Related Trips

IES Abroad Arles organizes course-related excursions that complement IES Abroad courses and contribute to your general knowledge of French culture and society.

Daily Life

Part of making you feel at home in Arles is doing our best to help you feel safe and cared for. Whether it’s the orientation program that prepares you for what’s ahead, your housing that is well-located and comfortable, or the field trips that take you to places off the beaten path—we’re all about our student services.

Orientation

You will have a one day orientation at the Arles Center to introduce you to the program and Arles.

Housing

We want to make sure that your greatest challenge is deciding which landmarks to see first or discovering the best café—not finding a place to live where you feel comfortable. We do our best to locate housing that is reflective of how the local students are living. Our goal is that when you leave Arles, it will feel like home.

Homestay - You will live with a local family in a homestay. Host families provide breakfast daily and dinner three times a week. IES Abroad provides three language lunches with faculty and staff each week.

Get to Know Your New City

Festival Season

Check out the various summer festivals in Arles including Les Rencontres d’Arles, an annual photography festival.

Lunchtime Language Learning

Perfect your French skills with professors and IES Abroad staff at a local restaurant during language-intensive lunches.

Get a Taste of Provence

Enjoy the Mediterranean-influenced cuisine full of seafood, herbs, goat cheeses, and olive oil with specialties like ratatouille and truffle omelets.

Engage in Art

Explore Arles’ artistic influences and beautiful architecture, and see sites painted by Van Gogh, as the city is known for its ties to artists including Picasso, Cézanne, and Gauguin.

Explore the Surrounding Area

Venture outside of Arles to sites like the Pont du Gard, Les Baux de Provence, and Avignon, home to an annual summer theater festival.

Program Cost

Consider these prices as a starting point. We encourage you to contact your study abroad office to determine the actual cost to you when factoring in financial aid, scholarships, your home school policies, and other factors.

Term: Summer 2021
Term	Tuition	Housing	Insurance	Total
Summer 2021	$6,065	$1,715	$135	$7,915

Scholarships & Aid

Featured Scholarships

Summer Need-Based Financial Aid

Up to $1,000

Open to students who apply to and attend an IES Abroad or IES Internships summer program.

Criteria reviewed to determine award:

Level of financial need as determined from infromation provided on the application. Priority is given to Pell Grant recipients.
IES Abroad program location.
IES Abroad membership status of home campus

Use our budget worksheet to calculate your costs

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$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid

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Our Center

While in Arles, we want to ensure you have every opportunity to immerse yourself in new experiences. That’s why our IES Abroad Arles Center staff is committed to providing outstanding academic and student support services. We take care of the details, so you can soak up every moment of your French experience. The IES Abroad Arles Center is located in the center of Arles near the Théâtre d’Arles.

Our Center is your connection point for all things IES Abroad.

Take your IES Abroad courses in the Center's multimedia classrooms
Get homework and projects done in the study space
Stay connected using the high-speed WiFi
Soak up some sun in the large outdoor courtyard

Our Staff

Hester Davies

Center Director

Originally from the Netherlands, Hester has been a long-time resident of Arles. She earned her Master's degree in French language and literature from the University of Amsterdam and during her undergraduate years was an exchange student at the University of Lyon and in Annecy. She is passionate about travel and exchange and is particularly eager to share her knowledge and appreciation of Arles with future IES students.

Faculty

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Aurore Valade

Artist Aurore Valade works closely with her subjects so that the images portray a painstakingly planned and very personal split second of the subjects’ lives. The effect makes each photo look more like a tiny movie than a mere snapshot. In 2018, Aurore Valade had her work exhibited in the prestigious Rencontres d’Arles—a world-famous photography festival held in Arles every summer. The exhibition, Aurore Valade: Révoltes Intimes (Intimate Revolts), depicts individuals who dedicate their lives to a cause. Each photo portrays a subject (and sometimes their families) in their own homes, surrounded by their own belongings—all of which have been carefully selected and arranged to provide an intimate look into the life and work of the subject. The vivid photos are often, at the same time, celebratory, deeply thoughtful, and uplifting. Read more about Intimate Revolts in the New York Times, The Guardian, and the Internazionale (Italian).

We are proud to have Aurore Valade as a member of our faculty in Arles. She teaches History of Photography in France.

Health & Safety

With 70 years of experience, we are proud to set the standard for health and safety in study abroad. Our Chicago-based and on-site staff are all highly trained and experienced in the matters of health, safety, and crisis management. We are here for you from predeparture to your return, and are ready to support you—no matter what time zone you’re in.

In response to COVID-19, enhanced safety guidelines will be implemented this year—such as social distancing and personal protective equipment (PPE) in on-site classes, in-country field trips and travel only, and apartment or residence hall housing (no homestays) that ensures proper space should self-quarantining be necessary.

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student in denim jacket looking over shoulder and smiling

How We Support You

We plan for "what if" so that you don't have to. From international health insurance included in the cost of your program to highly-trained local staff who can connect you to English-speaking healthcare providers, we are working around the clock to ensure your health and safety while abroad.

Learn more about the support you can expect to receive on our programs, including:

International health insurance through CISI in the case you need to see a doctor or mental health professional
24/7 emergency support whether you encounter an issue while traveling or in your host city
Location-specific health and safety information presented at orienation by on-site staff
TripTracker system allowing you to share independent travel plans in case you need to be contacted swiftly in a crisis
A mandatory cell phone policy so that you can be contacted locally and receive any emergency updates via call or text
Crisis drills so that you feel prepared to respond to an emergency should one arise
And more!

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