International Student Office

Welcome to the IAE Aix Graduate School of Management. We are very pleased to host you at our University for your Management Studies in France. Whether you are an international student or an exchange student, we hope that you will have a rewarding and memorable experience at the IAE Aix and we will do our best to help you integrate as quickly as possible.

Choosing our school will enable you to benefit from the exceptional educational and cultural environment in the south-east of France.

• Dean: Patrick Rousseau
• First public graduate business school in France (1955), part of Paul Cezanne Aix-Marseille III University (23.000 students), delivering graduate degrees & PhDs in Management
• First University to award PhDs in Management Sciences (1974)
• 40 permanent Professors (PhDs)
• 700 participants per year
  • 550 graduate students
  • 150 managers and executives

Mailing Adress :

IAE Aix – Aix-en-Provence
Clos Guiot, Chemin de la Quille
13540 PUYRICARD
France

Phone : +33 (0)4.42.28.08.08
Fax: +33 (0)4.42.28.08.00

The IAE Aix-en-Provence offers only graduate and postgraduate programmes in management.

Its teaching staff includes both full-time academic teachers and part-time professional experts.
Courses are taught in English and in French.
The duration of each course is equal to 24 contact hours.

From € 700,- to € 900,- minimum per month

• Accommodations : from €146- (Romm in the University Campus), to €350,- / month. The French Gouvernment can give a Student Accomodation Grant (around €90/month) - the CAF - if students stay in France more than 3 months.
• Food: € 250,- / month. Meal at IAE Aix Cafetariat: 2,80€
• Books and classroom materials: Max € 50/course
• Local transportation: € 50,- month
• Health Insurance: mandatory (€ 180 per year if bought here)
• Private Liability Insurance: obligatory (€ 35,- per semester)

Formalities for study in France

A resident permit “carte de séjour” is required for anyone planning to stay in France for more than three months. When foreign students (outside the European Economic Area) arrive in France, they must be in possession of a D "Etudiant" visa (extended studies visa) with the written indication "carte de séjour à solliciter dès l'arrivée en France" (residence permit to be requested immediately on arrival in France) which is issued by the French Embassy in their home country. Any other visas (e.g. tourist short stay visa ) do not allow foreigners to stay in France for more than 3 months.

More information on Immigration Formalities: http://www.edufrance.com/en/a-etudier/etudes05-1.htm.

All foreign students should come with:

• A valid passport with appropriate visa
• A birth certificate, in French or in English, (translated and authenticated by the French Embassy or Consulate), with the name of both parents.
• A certificate testifying that they’ll have enough money to live in France during their studies (bank statement or scholarship certificate)
• 3 identical and recent passport photos
• University admission letter
• Driver's Licence
• Also recommended: certified photocopies of all official papers and documents (passport, diplomas, international student card).

Marseille-Provence Airport

+33 (0)4.42.14.14.14 (Flight information)
The Marseille - Provence International Airport is located 30 mns from Aix-en-Provence and 40 mns from the IAE Aix. 21 daily flights between Paris-Marseille are available, as well as 64 direct flights from other cities.
Phone : +33 (0)4.42.21.00.14
Fax : +33 (0)4.42.14.27.14
Minitel : 3615 Envol
The cheapest way to get to Aix-en-Provence from the airport is the shuttle-bus ("navette") which leaves every 20 min. from 6:20 a.m. to 10:50 p.m. The ride takes about 30 min. Tickets cost about 7,30€ from the Airport to Aix.
A Taxi ride costs about 38€ during the day
Website: http://www.marseille.aeroport.fr

TGV-AIX railway station

The trip from Paris by High Speed Train (TGV : Train à Grande Vitesse) takes about 3 hours. You will find schedule and reservation information on the SNCF web site : http://www.voyages-sncf.com
Information and sales:+33 (0)8.36.35.35.35
Arrival by train at the St. Charles Station Marseille. Connecting trains to Aix-en-Provence town centre cost 5,80 euros. It is advisable, however, to take the bus which leaves every 20 minutes, costs 4,10 euros; the travel time is about twenty minutes.

Hotel Accommodations

You can find information about Hotels in the town or surroundings on the Aix web site : http://www.aixenprovencetourism.com

Housing Search Resources

You can find housing information :

• At the IAE Aix, for apartments in Puyricard, near the Institute (posted on the bulletin board in the main hall)
• at the CROUS, Centre Régional des Œuvres Universitaires et Scolaires. (Students' representative body dealing with accommodations, catering ...) Division de la Vie Etudiante, Cité universitaire Les Gazelles, Avenue Jules Ferry Aix
  Phone: 04.42.93.47.70 - Website: http://www.crous.aix-marseille.com.fr
• in classified ads in local free newspapers : “Aix Hebdo”, “Le Choc”, “Aix Sept”
• at the Office de Tourisme (Tourist Bureau) in Aix-en-Provence. Phone: 04.42.16.11.61
  Furnished apartment list every Tuesday .
• at the Maison Aixoise de l’Etudiant (Aix Student House)
• http://aix-en-provence.lindic.fr/rubrique.asp?rub=3 provides names of student residences
• If you wish to share an apartment with someone else, you will find addresses at the web site :
  http://www.annonces-colocation.fr/Aix-en-Provence/Aix-en-Provence-Logement- Etudiant.htm

Security deposit

The apartment’s landlord will ask you for a “security deposit”, generally equal to two months’ rent. The landlord must return the security deposit within a month after the tenant leaves, provided you have kept it in perfect condition.. You should also complete an “état des lieux” (Inspection checklist of the premises) that should indicate any existing damage in the apartment in full detail.

You are also free to contact estate agencies. But in addition to the security deposit, you will have to pay agency fees.
Read the lease carefully before you sign.
Keep a copy of the lease and any other documents about your apartment.

Useful addresses :

• GDF (French gas company) in Aix : 04.42 27 98 33
• EDF (French Electricity Utility) in Aix : 04 42 27 98 66
• CAF(Family Allowance Office) 2, cours Minimes , Aix-en-Provence : 04 42 26 53 46
• Self service laundries:
  You can find a list on website: http://www.provencelive.com

Weather in Aix-en-Provence

Aix-en-Provence benefits from a mild Mediterranean climate. Winters are generally mild and sunny, but temperatures can drop to slightly below 0° Celsius.
The Mistral (fabled wind that sweeps off the Alps down the Rhône valley) will cut straight through you in winter. Traditionally it lasts 1, 3, or 6 days, and clears the skies.
Summers are relatively hot and very dry. Very mild late autumns.

Temperature conversation table

Metric conversation table

Communications: post-office, mail, telephone … mail

Stamps may be bought at tobacconists’, bars, and newsstands. There are two post offices (La Poste)in town and one in each of the outlying suburbs. Aix’s main post office is located on the Avenue des Belges near the Place de la Rotonde, and its “historic” post office on the Place de la Mairie.

Stamps for mail under 20g. addressed anywhere in Europe (including France) cost 50 cents.
Airmail to North America: 0,90 euros. Ten prestamped envelopes for overseas may be bought for a bargain!

All tariffs on the web site of the French post-office : http://www.laposte.fr

Almost all public phones now require a prepaid phone card (télécarte )< These cost 9 euros for 50 units, and 15 euros for 120 units and may be purchased from newsstands, bars, tobacconists and post offices.

To call outside France, dial : 00 + country code + number

Puyricard is 7 km north of Aix-en-Provence.

Aix Bus Service

Aix-en-Provence intercity bus Station (at the Tourist Information Centre): 04.42.26.37.28

W ebsite : http://www.aixenbus.com
Timetables of the various lines are available on request

Bus to IAE Aix

To get to the IAE Aix by bus, you need to take either bus N° 20 or N° 21. The n° 20 will drop you off at the “Salle des Fêtes”stop, which is 500 m from the school. The n° 21 will drop you off in front of the Logis des Clerc, only 100 m away.
A monthly bus pass costs 22 €, 10 pre-paid rides cost 7.30 € and a single bus ticket purchased from the bus driver costs 1.10 €.

Cars

Renting a car:

There are several major car rental companies in Aix-en-Provence or on your arrival at Marseille/Provence Airport or TGV-AIX railway station. The “Yellow Pages (Pages Jaunes) will give you names and addresses. http://www.pagesjaunes.fr

Buying a car:

Some students decide to buy a car during their stay in Aix-en-Provence.
Because new automobiles are expensive, students often choose to buy used cars. It is important to choose a car that you will be able to sell easily when leaving.

Where to find a car:

Some exchange students in the past have bought cars from other exchange students who were leaving. You can take a look at the bulletin board of the IAE Aix.You can also search the classified ads for car listings in local newspapers or free newspapers like “Aix Hebdo”, “Le Choc”, “Aix Sept”.

Automobile Insurance:

Auto insurance is required for all drivers. You will have to inquire with insurance companies to get adequate coverage. Auto insurance companies are listed in the “Pages Jaunes” phone book. It is wise to compare prices and the extent of coverage with at least two insurance agents before purchasing insurance.

If you decide to buy a car:

You must be aware of the French Laws for driving in France. Failure to do so can result in traffic tickets or accidents. Some of the most commonly violated rules are those that deal with speed limits and parking violations.
When driving, you must be in possession of a valid Driver Licence, adequate car insurance, the car registration certificate (carte grise) which proves you own the car, and if parking on campus, an IAE Aix parking decal.

When people move into a different setting, they must make certain adjustments or adaptations to their usual behaviour and attitudes. Because of this, some students experience what is commonly called “culture shock” once they arrive.
Culture shock is the term given to the feeling of disorientation and confusion that often occurs when a person moves from a familiar setting into an unfamiliar one. The climate and terrain, the language, customs, food and culture are different. It is harder to convey your feelings and personality in a language that is different from your native one. You may feel lonely and may doubt your decision to come here. Some symptoms of culture shock include : homesickness, avoidance of social settings, depression or sleep disturbance.
It is normal to experience some signs of culture shock. We at the IAE Aix hope you will adjust to life in Aix-en-Provence and enjoy your experience as an exchange student.

Interacting with the French:

When introduced, a smile, a firm handshake and a distinct: ”Monsieur”, “Madame” generally does the trick. French people shake hands more readily and more often than do the British or North Americans! Be prepared, and do not be fooled by the daily kiss on both cheeks (la bise), generally exchanged between friends, relatives, colleagues whom you can stand, old acquaintances of either sex, and children).

A special note to women
Some women students may have a hard time adjusting to attitudes they encounter abroad, in both public and private interactions between men and women, and have to learn how to deal with unwanted attentions. This challenge is part of understanding another culture.

Tipping Tipping (15%°) is always included in the bill. An extra gratuity can be given for very good service. No tip is given in cafeterias or fast food restaurants.

How to find out what’s going on

Aix-en-Provence is a university town that is famous for its historic and cultural heritage.
The Aix-en-Provence website will provide you with a lot of information about cultural and entertainment activities. The locations and programs of Museums and Art Galleries, Theatres, cinemas, nightclubs can be found on the site. Art festivals and crafts exhibitions take place through out the year (Aix en musique – Carnaval d’Aix – Festival International d’Art Lyrique – Festival Tous Courts – Danse à Aix - Foire aux croûtes)
http://www.aix-en-provence.com

Programmes of exhibitions and activities are available at the Service d’Accueil of Office du Tourisme, place du Général de Gaulle. Phone : 04.42.16.11.61

Provençal market

is the morning ritual most loved by locals and others
Every day : local producers on the Place Richelme.
Three times a week : Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, on the Place des Prêcheurs.

Useful links:

http://www.virtualis.fr/homepage.html
http://aix-en-provence.lindic.fr
http://franceway.com

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