I wish to return to France and interrupt my international mobility

You are currently undertaking an international mobility as part of your studies at Aix-Marseille University and you decide to make an early return to France by interrupting your mobility.

• In practical terms, what do I have to do if I decide to interrupt my international mobility?

You must inform :

- AMU's International Relations Department : dri-mobilities@univ-amu.fr and your usual mobility manager in your campus DRI or within your component (Faculty, School, Institute).

- Your educational manager at AMU (training manager, referent or International Relations tutor) who will explain to you the modalities implemented by your training to ensure the pedagogical continuity of your course.

- Your pedagogical manager at the host university (or your placement manager if you are on a mobility programme outside the university) will inform you if necessary about the possibilities of following the course from France (courses and/or exams).

- Your administrative correspondent in the host university (International Relations Department, Study Abroad, Incoming coordinator,...) who will inform you about the steps to take before your departure.

You must have your certificate of departure signed (certificate of attendance) at the host university. This document attests the end of your mobility abroad and will be necessary for the management of your mobility grant. If you are unable to have this document validated (e.g. because the university is closed), please keep any documents proving the date of your return (e.g. your flight ticket).

You must also keep any documents justifying the cost of an early return. They may be useful for the management of your mobility grant file.

• I would like to return to France but I am stuck in my host country (e.g. flight cancellation): what should I do?

You must refer to the website of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE): https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/le-ministere-et-son-reseau/actualites-du-ministere/informations-coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-les-reponses-a-vos-questions/article/coronavirus-les-reponses-a-vos-questions

AMU cannot organise your repatriation. While awaiting your return, we ask you to ensure strict compliance with the health instructions issued by the French consular services in your host country: https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/conseils-aux-voyageurs/ and to comply with the recommendations of your university or host structure (internships).

We remind you of the need to register on Ariane to be known by the French consular services in your host country: https://pastel.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fildariane/dyn/public/login.html

You will receive by sms the emergency messages sent by the French consular authorities, in particular the possibilities of flights to France in case of closure of air travel connections and the contact person designated on your account can also be notified if necessary.

• Will my family be able to pick me up at the airport when I return to France because of the containment measures?

This type of travel does not comply with the travel authorisation issued by the Ministry of the Interior. You will have to take a taxi or public transport.

• I need a certificate to justify the interruption of my mobility (for my landlord, my insurance,...): who should I contact?

You must ask your mobility manager at AMU to obtain an Certificate of interruption or cancellation of international mobility (Attestation d’interruption ou d’annulation de mobilité internationale) which will indicate that you have interrupted your stay abroad at the request of AMU.

• What courses should I take on my return to France? Can I continue my course at my host university?

Some foreign partners have already made provision for the possibility of following the courses at a distance. You can therefore follow them, even from France.

If you are unable to follow the partner's distance learning courses, you must contact your educational manager at AMU to find out about the alternative methods used.

• I am a double degree student, can I validate my course at the host university from France?

This is possible if the host university has set up distance learning courses (as well as exams). If this is not the case, you should contact your pedagogical manager at AMU to find out what alternative arrangements have been made.

• Will I have to return to my host university to take the exams?

Departures abroad are prohibited until further notice: unless the health situation develops favourably, it will therefore not be possible to return to the host university before the end of the academic year. Your host university may set up remote examination procedures. If this is not the case, the modalities set up at AMU to allow you to validate your year will be communicated to you by your pedagogical manager.

• I am coming back to France but I continue to follow the distance learning courses of my host university: when do I need to have my certificate of departure signed?

The certificate of departure is a document that justifies the end of your pedagogical attachment to your host university (courses and exams). The validation of your certificate of departure must therefore be requested from your host university after your distance learning courses (and exams if applicable).

• Will the payment of my international mobility scholarship be interrupted on my return to France?

AMU manages grants from several external funders: Ministry, Region and European Union (Erasmus+). They have been asked about the specific management modalities decided upon. This section will be regularly updated according to the feedback received and we will then immediately inform you of all decisions.

Whichever funding you are receiving, you will keep your full scholarship (initial payment + balance) if you carry on your course via distance learning or your internship by teleworking, after your early return to France.

• Erasmus+ scholarship (study/internship)

An Erasmus+ grant has been awarded to you: the Erasmus+ France Agency has informed us that interrupted mobility due to an early return to France would be treated as a "force majeure" case. The impact on the total amount of your scholarship is not yet known, as well as the exact expenses covered and associated amounts: some additional expenses related to an early return to France (e.g. a train or plane ticket to return to France) could be reimbursed.

• Outgoing Mobility Plan (PMS - AMU), PRAME and Regional Aid for International Mobility (PACA Region), Aid for International Mobility (AMI - MESR) scholarships

Your right to the scholarship is not affected by an early return to France even if the minimum duration of mobility initially required is no longer respected. No reimbursement will be required after the first instalment and only the balance due may be withheld if the actual duration of mobility is less than the duration covered by the first instalment.

Examples with the AMI-MESR scholarship which is normally open to mobility of more than 3 months and paid in 2 instalments (a first instalment of 80% on arrival in the host country and the balance of 20% on return):

• My mobility was planned for 5 months and I come back to France after 2 months (or even less): I remain eligible for the scheme and I keep the 80% of my grant paid on arrival but will not receive the balance of 20% (actual duration achieved less than 80% of the initial duration used to calculate the grant).
• My mobility was planned for 6 months and I am returning to France after 5 months: I receive the total amount of my scholarship initially planned (80% on arrival and 20% on return).

If you have returned to France without yet having received your first instalment, it will be paid to you under the same conditions as if you had stayed in your host country.

The payment of scholarships is subject to the presentation of arrival and departure certificates according to the usual procedure that was communicated to you before your departure.

We advise you to keep all receipts for expenses: some funders may claim them.

We will need your end-of-stay certificate; don't forget to claim it from your host university.

AMU will endeavour to implement the most advantageous policy possible so as not to harm the students.

• The PACA Region has announced the payment of a grant for students who need to be repatriated to France as part of their mobility: how can I benefit from it?

This grant is intended to offset additional costs related to transport difficulties and an early return to France. Students who interrupt their stay abroad and return or have returned to France since 17 March are eligible. Students who returned before this date or who wish to stay in France are not concerned.

The precise terms and conditions of payment will be communicated shortly. In the meantime, you are invited to keep any document justifying expenses related to your early return.

• Who should I contact when I leave my university accommodation in my host country?

If you have obtained a room through your host university, you must inform it of your decision to return to France upon application for AMU. You will be informed directly on the spot of the terms of payment of the rent due.

• I am a foreign student enrolled at AMU: what should I do, especially concerning my residence permit to return to France?

It is advisable to contact your local consular authorities in order to clarify your choice of whether or not to stay in the country.

If you wish to return to France, you must be in possession of a valid residence permit, such as a VLS-TS for studies previously validated online - which is the case when you resided in France before your exchange. You can contact the French consular services for more information on this point.