Aix-en-Provence | Student Housing Options

The American College of the Mediterranean has different housing options available to both undergraduate and graduate students, including a homestay with a French host family, residence halls, or apartments/independent housing.

ACM encourages students to live with a host family for at least one semester of their time in Aix-en-Provence. All undergraduate students must live with a host family during their first year of study. After their first year, they can request an ACM-IAU student residence apartment or non-program housing upon approval.

MA in French Studies (MAFS), MA in International Education Administration (MAIE), and MA in International Relations (MAIR) students must reside in a homestay for at least one semester. Language development coupled with a relationship with the people and culture of France is critical to student success in these programs.

Please contact our on-site housing team at housing.aix@iau.edu for questions.

PLEASE NOTE: Homestay schedules are aligned with the ACM academic calendar. Students should be aware that they will need to vacate their homestay during the December/January holiday period and at the conclusion of the Spring term in May. If a student is enrolled in a summer session, they will need to vacate the homestay at the conclusion of that session in mid-July. For MFA students enrolling in a summer course, living in a homestay is an additional cost. Students participating in a J-Term program may resume their homestay between the end of the J-Term and the beginning of the spring semester. Any exceptions to this policy will entail an additional housing cost for the student. Any student who would like to stay in a homestay outside of the published academic calendar must contact the Student Life Team within one month of beginning their program.

ACM offers intersession luggage storage for returning students. However, we cannot be held responsible for any damage, loss or theft.

If you have any questions, please contact ACM admissions at admissions@acmfrance.org.

Housing costs may be found on the Tuition & Fees page.

Please note if your housing privileges are taken away because of a disciplinary hearing, no refund is given for housing costs or other living expenses.

American College of the Mediterranean student housing in the Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur region of France A host mother and her host students dine sur la terrace

AIX-EN-PROVENCE HOUSING OPTIONS

TRADITIONAL HOMESTAY (with or without meals prepared by host)

The level of interaction between students and their homestay hosts varies on a case-by-case basis. The Student Life Team strives to match students with hosts who have similar expectations for engagement as they do. Depending on the level of autonomy you would like to have concerning meals and meal preparation, ACM offers two types of traditional homestay: with or without meals prepared by the host. For the option without meals, students will need to shop for and prepare their own meals. This option is supplemented with a small meal plan at Café Med, the ACM student café located in the center of town.

All undergraduate students are required to live in a homestay during their first year of study, and all MAFS, MAIR, and MAIE graduate students are required to live in a homestay during their first semester of study.

Living in a homestay is a challenging yet enriching experience. There is an adaptation period to be expected while the hosts and the student get to know each other’s culture and living habits. Hosts are interested in sharing a cultural exchange with students, and our alumni consistently comment on the benefits of the experience.

Our hosts come from all backgrounds; some are families with children, others are single retirees. The nuclear family is not the norm.

Students in a traditional homestay receive daily breakfast and six dinners per week. Breakfast is a typical French-style meal, and dinners vary by family, but students can be expected to be well-fed and are encouraged to communicate with their hosts about food preparation and planning as this can be a wonderful way to integrate into a French family! Students are responsible for their own lunches (daily) and for dinner one night per week (decided together by the student and the host). Students will have access to wifi in their homestay. Note that air conditioning is not common in homestays, so it should be an expectation that this will not be available. However, students may request a fan.

PLEASE NOTE: Homestay and student residence apartment schedules are aligned with the ACM academic calendar. Students should be aware that they will need to vacate their housing arrangements during the December/January holiday period and at the conclusion of the Spring term in May. If a student is enrolled in a summer session, they will need to vacate their housing arrangements at the conclusion of that session in mid-July.

Provence Family apartment

If you wish to live independently, you may choose to stay with one of our local Aix-en-Provence families. They offer apartment-style housing with kitchen access. Students will need to shop for and prepare their own meals. You will meet your hosts and learn about their life in France while maintaining a very independent lifestyle.

Student Residence Halls

Students in student residence apartments will live in furnished communal residence halls with other ACM-IAU students and alongside local and international students studying in Aix-en-Provence. The student residence apartments are located throughout the city and are within convenient access to grocery stores, shops, restaurants, and pharmacies.

In student residence apartments, bedrooms are typically double or triple occupancy with the exception of ACM graduate students who will be placed in either studio apartments or shared apartments with a private bedroom. No meals are included with student residence apartments, so students are responsible for all meal costs and preparation. Students will have access to a fully equipped and shared kitchen. Students are responsible for all laundry costs, keeping their residence apartments clean and for all costs associated with cleaning and repairs. The student residence apartments include access to wifi, bed linens and towels, and will have shared laundry facilities or be within walking distance to a laundromat.

Non-program housing

Students interested in pursuing non-program housing must request this option by submitting the waiver form. In addition, although we can offer resources to support students, we do not help place students in non-program housing.

Most apartments available in Aix are one-room apartments (studios) or two-room apartments (a bedroom and a living room).

A studio apartment: 600-800 € per month plus utilities

A one-bedroom + living area apartment: 950-1250€ per month

Important items to consider:

Living with a roommate (“coloc” or "colocataire", in French) will help you limit montly expenses, such as electricity, heating, rental insurance, and internet.

Most apartments do not have a washing machine. It is almost impossible to find a student apartment with a dryer. However, the apartment will most probably have a drying rack. If your apartment doesn’t have a washing machine, you can use a local laundromat.

Students choosing to live in non-program housing should be aware that landlords take little responsibility for daily maintenance and repairs can take time.

A deposit (usually a month’s rent) and guarantee letter from a person who resides in France are often requested. The costs associated with renting an apartment vary depending on whether the apartment is furnished or not.

You may bring your own linens or buy them in Aix.

Devenir Famille d'Acceuil

L’Institute for Americain Universities et l’American College of the Mediterranean reçoivent des étudiants américains ou étrangers pour des séjours de plusieurs semaines ou plusieurs mois et recherchent des familles d’accueil chaleureuses, prêtes à partager leur vie quotidienne contre dédommagement. Pour tous renseignements supplémentaires, vous pouvez écrire à l’équipe logement de l’IAU: logement.aix@iau.edu.

BARCELONA HOUSING OPTIONS

Students in the MA in International Education (MAIE), Master of Business Administration (MBA), and MA in Media Studies (MAMS) programs will spend their first semester at our center in Barcelona, Spain. These students will have the following housing options available.

Student Shared Apartments

Students in shared apartments will live in fully furnished accommodations located in traditional local buildings, alongside fellow ACM-IAU students and local neighbors. These apartments are situated throughout the city, with convenient access to grocery stores, shops, restaurants, pharmacies, and public transportation. It's important to note that using the metro, bus, or train is a common and essential part of daily life in Barcelona.

Bedrooms in student apartments are typically shared (double occupancy), with the exception of ACM graduate students, who will be placed in private rooms or, upon request, in shared rooms with a roommate. Meals are not included in student apartments, so students are responsible for their own meal planning and preparation. Each apartment includes a fully equipped shared kitchen, shared living spaces, and a washing machine. Common areas are cleaned every two weeks, and maintenance is provided as needed. Additionally, apartments include Wi-Fi, bed linens, and towels.

Student Residence

Students living in the student residence will be housed in furnished, communal residence halls alongside other ACM-IAU participants, as well as local and international students studying in Barcelona.

These residence buildings are located throughout the city and offer convenient access to grocery stores, shops, restaurants, pharmacies, and public transportation. It’s worth noting that the use of metro, bus, and train is a common and essential part of daily life in Barcelona.

Student residence rooms are typically single studios or shared double rooms. Meals are not included, so students are responsible for their own meal planning, costs, and preparation. Each residence provides access to a fully equipped communal kitchen.

Students are also responsible for maintaining cleanliness in their rooms and common areas, covering any laundry, cleaning, or repair expenses that may arise. All residence accommodations include Wi-Fi, bed linens, and towels. Laundry facilities are either available on-site or located within walking distance.

Please note: The student residence model availability depends on the program season and overall enrollment. If this option is not available, students who selected it will be placed in a shared apartment by default. However, their room preference (single or double) will be maintained whenever possible.