IES Abroad Nice – Business, Sustainability & Immigration

My experience abroad has been so meaningful that I have decided to pursue graduate school in France! The trajectory of my life really has changed, and I am so excited to return to France. I studied abroad with IES Nice in the fall of 2021 after the spring program was canceled because of COVID, and I am really glad that I went during the fall. The sunny weather and laidback Nicoise attitude make the experience feel like a 4-month vacation, especially in early fall when there are still summer tourists. The weather was in the upper 70s until mid-October, and I found myself taking short trips to nearby beach towns on days I didn't have class. The classes were moderately difficult, especially if you take a few at SKEMA Business School, but none were too hard. The IES classes are located in the city center, and SKEMA is about a 45 min bus ride away in Sophia Antipolis—a bit of a trek and sometimes there are transportation strikes (this is normal for French cities). Still, it's hard to complain when you get to ride along the Mediterranean Sea during your commute. The location of this program is really ideal if you're planning to study in Europe. Nice is a train away from Italy (you can go for dinner and be back by 11 pm), so the cuisine and architecture are beautifully Italian-influenced. Traveling to other European countries is easy since the tram leads directly to Nice's own airport, so no need for an expensive Uber ride. As for housing, IES found me a gorgeous top-floor apartment with a terrace, a 25 min walk from the beach. I also lived across the street from a bakery and got more lemon meringue tarts and pain au chocolat than I have ever eaten in my entire life. I have no regrets. The staff is very helpful as well! When I got sick and let the program director know, she quickly dropped off a COVID test at my apartment and the student affairs coordinator helped me schedule a doctor's visit with an English-speaking doctor. The student affairs coordinator also plans the excursions such as visiting local historical villages with a tour guide, meeting with French students our age, and attending a cooking class to learn how to make Nicoise dishes. Regarding the cost of living, my spending was on the higher end because I wanted to try a lot of new foods, experiences, and travel to other countries/cities. However, it really is up to you how much you spend per week because I think you can get a lot out of Nice without spending much. Groceries were about the same as in the U.S., museums are free for students, the walk to the beach is free, and the train rides to nearby towns are only 2-5 euros. Prices do get higher when it comes to restaurants, bars, and clubs because Nice does attract a lot of tourists, especially in the late summer if you are studying there in the fall. For daily life tips, try to buy groceries and limit eating out to the weekends. You can also pack your lunch instead of buying! My advice if you're planning to study with IES Abroad Nice: go on as many excursions as possible and practice your French with locals! :) It's easy to stick with the Americans in your group, but Nice is a very international city so don't be afraid to meet new people.

I have always wanted to study abroad in France, and when the opportunity presented itself to study on the French Riviera, there was no way I could pass that up! This was going to be the longest time that I spent away from all of my family and friends, so obviously I was a bit nervous before leaving. The IES Abroad staff truly made it feel like home, and my roommates (and I even went random!) were so amazing to have as a support system throughout the two months. From pre-planned trips with the program to option events like cooking lessons to travelling around Europe with some of my now best friends, I could truly not imagine a better experience (other than not leaving two months early due to COVID.) Living in Nice was a crazy amazing experience considering it was much warmer than where I go to college (Indiana University) and I lived a 10 minute walk away from the beach! My favorite activities while I was there were going running by the water, finding a new meal to cook with my roomies, and just walking around to explore all of the nooks and crannies of beautiful Nice. If you have to chance to study abroad here - take the opportunity and quick!

Ah Nice, the Côte d'Azur, who could imagine studying French and business in a more beautiful and bustling place!? I chose to study abroad through IES after hearing about other people's positive experiences with the program, and I am so glad that I did! I'm a control freak and like to have as much information as I can before doing anything, and with all of the pre-departure information that they provided I knew exactly what I needed to do to prepare for France. Well, at least everything that could be written down on paper that is. My time in Nice was eye opening, about how different cultures and languages interact, how independent I could be and how much better chocolate pastries taste when you are sitting on the beach looking out over the Mediterranean. I had the chance to live in a homestay, and it was so interesting getting to see what family life looked like, from meals to the way that shopping and housework was done in France vs. the States. I loved walking everywhere and stopping in my boulangerie for fresh bread, strolling through the beautiful flower market and the streets of Veux Nice. I can't believe I had such an amazing opportunity to live in, learn in, and experience one of the most beautiful cities in France!