Students and alumni from the graduate psychology program traveled to the south of France to study Buddhism, psychology, and the culture of the area. This is the fourth year AULA hosted the study abroad trip.
“I have had the privilege of joining in this excursion three times now, and have witnessed our students’ experiences during their stay at the Institut Vajra Yogini (IVY),” says Joy Turek, Chair of the Graduate Program in Clinical Psychology. “Seven days spent meditating, doing yoga, eating fresh vegetarian food with each other, and taking Psychology and Buddhism classes, all in the beautiful French countryside, generate deep and lasting transformations.”
Students were immersed in the local culture on the eve of summer solstice in a celebration of The Fête de la Musique in the nearby town of Lavaur. Fête de la Musique, which originated in France, is an annual music festival which takes place all around the world. 
Antioch participants mix with local people in a warm, slightly raucous, and truly French manner.
Participants visited a nearby monastery, populated by Buddhist monks from all over the world, and took a day trip to the south of France to either Carcassonne, a medieval fortress, or Aix, a city founded in 123 BC. Time is provided to explore the French countryside by foot or bicycle during the stay.
`A bientôt.
