Adapting to new academic settings and languages takes support. Throughout the program, students are guided by the Academic Dean, who teaches the core course and ensures continuity between Paris and Rabat. APA's FLE-certified Head of Languages provides French instruction and individual language support while in Paris. In Rabat, local staff and French language assistants ensure students feel confident and successful during their time in Morocco.
As Academic Dean and Director of APA, Dr. Aurélie Perrier also oversees the academic and cultural life of the program in Paris and Rabat. She currently teaches Race, Gender, and Postcolonial Ideas in Paris and will lead the summer core course, Entangled Worlds: Two Centuries of Franco-Arab Encounters.
A Franco-American raised in Paris, Dr. Perrier holds a PhD in Modern Middle East and North African History from Georgetown University and is passionate about helping students engage thoughtfully with shared histories and contemporary global issues.
Cyntia Vernhet-Sellem, Language Instructor & Pedagogic Coordinator, leads French language instruction and academic advising for the program. She created and oversees APA’s High-Intermediate Program (HIP), an innovative curriculum that accelerates language acquisition through Academic French via Contemporary Francophone Cinema, consistently advancing students by a full CEFR level each semester. Trained in linguistics and language pedagogy in France and the U.S., Cyntia brings a dynamic, culture-centered approach that integrates sociolinguistics, media, and everyday language use
Alyona Kondratyeva, Student Life Coordinator, Paris, supports students throughout their time in Paris. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English language teaching and assists with daily life, housing in student residences, and the logistical coordination of cultural activities and excursions. With additional training in tourism, Alyona ensures students feel welcomed, supported, and confident navigating life in Paris.
All students take an online language evaluation administered during the pre-departure period for APA to prepare for the summer’s specialized support.
Lindsay Turlan and Alex Nichols are your dedicated US based and US facing team to ensure your journey from program inquiry to departure are smooth.
