Study Abroad Programs in Antibes, France

Traveling to Buenos Aires was an incredible experience! I was nervous initially since it was my first study-abroad experience. I was unfamiliar with the culture, environment, and language and did not know what to expect. The warm hospitality and generosity I received from on-site program staff and locals guided me through all the ups and downs of the experience. The program challenged me to come out of my comfort zone both academically and socially. We attended physics classes at a local university and a sports and contemporary culture class right after. We learned about the history of the country and experienced the Argentinians' passion for futbol firsthand by attending games. My friends and I explored the city after classes, trying out some of the many cafes and restaurants on every corner. Buenos Aires had a very reliable transportation system as well, so it was easy for us to travel from our apartment in Palermo to other neighborhoods in the city like Belgrano, La Boca, and Recoleta. Each neighborhood had something different and wonderful to offer. We often ran into cultural fairs, art festivals, fresh farmer markets, and live performances. There was something fun to discover every day. On the weekends, we traveled outside of the city to see the numerous natural landscapes in Argentina. We saw the falls at Iguazu, went horseback riding in Mendoza, went hiking at the Perito Moreno Glacier and El Chalten, and even visited a cute portside town in Uruguay. Although my time in Argentina was short, the incredible people, food, and music are a memory I will never forget.

Truly changed my perspective on the world of engineering and potential career path in a world I never would have thought possible. Broaden my world view and met truly amazing people that I connected with for a lifetime.

I had an absolutely incredible experience living in the picturesque town of Antibes in the French Riviera. From the moment I arrived, I was captivated by the stunning Mediterranean views, charming cobblestone streets, and the relaxed yet vibrant atmosphere. Travelling from Antibes was so easy with a train station within walking distance. I was able to go explore other countries almost every weekend, with Antibes being the perfect place to come home to. Whether lounging on the golden beaches, wandering through the quaint Old Town, or exploring nearby glamorous destinations, every day felt like a dream. Antibes, with its undeniable beauty and cultural, left an undeniable mark on my heart. Pros Beaches surrounding the town Easy Travel to other destinations Amazing CEA CAPA leaders Cons NONE

Studying abroad with CEA CAPA was a dream. It was such a fun and transformative experience, and in the best location. The French Riviera was absolutely stunning. The CEA CAPA team made sure we were comfortable in our new home, and arranged fun events and trips for us to see more of the area. I could not recommend this program more.

My study abroad experience with CEA program was truly transformative. From excellent academic offerings that seamlessly integrated local culture to meaningful cultural immersion experiences, this program exceeded my expectations. Living with a host family and engaging in various activities allowed me to embrace the host culture fully. The personal growth I experienced, from increased independence to a broader worldview, was invaluable. The support from program coordinators and the close-knit community of fellow participants made this journey even more memorable. I returned home with lifelong friendships, a richer perspective, and a newfound confidence. I wholeheartedly recommend the CEA program to any student seeking a life-enriching study abroad adventure.

I had a great time studying abroad in the French Riviera with CEA. I had great people with me in an amazing place. While studying I also got to do an internship at the Cannes Film Festival. I am even going to return this year to work at the same company. Studying abroad with CEA made my dreams feel possible.

On-site staff were excellent and very helpful. Housing was pretty good and my roommates were great. I’m glad there were several trips to other parts of Italy they organized since it allowed me to learn more about Italy. However there were some issues with the organizers and my university in the USA.

The housing was great. I enjoyed meeting my flat mates. Some of us will remain friends. My Thermodynamics class was tough for me. I think most students struggled some. For those of us engineering students who really need to capture this material for later classes and our fields in engineering; I would nit take this course in a 6 week class. The college and CEA should state that somehow to students before they sign up for it, I will pass the class but feel like I might need to take the course again OR restudy somehow The excursions were great. I enjoyed seeing other parts of Italy. The only think I was not impressed with was the food/dinner places that were a part of the program. I get feeding a lot of students...but I feel there could have been some better restaurant choices. Overall this was great. I am hopeful there will be no issues with getting my transcripts over to my school. This is the last week of class...so I have not done that yet. The communication from the beginning to the end has been outstanding. I didn't miss a beat. They let me know about everything. I would surely do another CEA program if time permitted. Possibly even an internship program. I would also surely let other students know this is a great program, and my experience was a 10 overall. Thank you CEA staff and faculty (USA and Rome, Italy).

CEA French Riviera is truly the absolute best study abroad program you can choose for your study abroad experience. This program is quite niche, nestled in Antibes (the yacht capital of Europe), this program features studies at a top French Business School (SKEMA Sofia-Antipolis) in a place people around the world dream to live. You get to experience what it is like to live in a town right on the water, Antibes is the most beautiful place I think I have ever visited. On top of that major destinations such as Cannes, Grasse, Monaco, and Nice are a short train ride away. The very best part of this program is CEA's onsite director Kristen. She made this program for our group (which by the way was only 20 people). Kristen does so many excursions that you will find by the end of your program that you have seen all the French Riviera has to offer. She is always quick to answer questions, and offers fun onsite activities like wine tasting. CEA changed my life, they allowed me to go on a program most would never think to go on, and get a once in a lifetime experience! I can't wait to go back to Antibes soon, to enjoy my beautiful second home!

CEA responded to this reviewApril 10, 2020

Thank you so much for your thoughtful and thorough review, Jared! We are so happy to hear you had a wonderful time with CEA in the French Riviera, and we’re glad you took advantage of everything Antibes has to offer. We so appreciate your kind words about our amazing program director there, Kristin. We hope you’ll stop by and say hello the next time you find yourself in France, and we wish you all the best in your future endeavors!

I was absolutely in love with this program. Each member of the faculty was continuously super helpful, and helped us get through any practical or personal issues we faced when there. They also made a clear effort to get to know each of the students and do all that they could to make sure we were comfortable, well-informed, and happy. I loved each class I took. Studying international relations, I feel as if these classes I took at IES honestly gave me a deeper engagement in many ways that I've missed out on in the past. The faculty and staff also organized more than enough activities to help us get acquainted with Paris and experience the city in a way we most likely would not have been able to do otherwise. From my French classes to my personal conversations with the faculty, as well as my homestay placement, my proficiency and comfort in the French language grew immensely. I can honestly say that my months with IES were the happiest months I have experienced in university and the only regret I have is not being able to stay for the full year. I'm now considering going back to Paris for my Master's. If you're looking for a program that will have you not wanting to leave at the end, then IES is the choice for you.

This program exceeded my expectations in every way possible! My host family was supportive, inclusive and interesting enough; they taught me the tiniest details about the local culture! The class offerings were vast, the line between the program and university was fast, easy to adapt-to and welcoming. The program allowed us to go on widely different, informative yet fun and active trips. Overall, this experience has allowed me to pursue my areas of interest, develop my French and learn a lot about the local culture! Amazing program!

Studying abroad has easily been my greatest experience in life thus far and part of that is thanks to Kristen and CEA. Whether it was traveling for excursions every other weekend, catching a train or plane from Nice, or spending time in Antibes with other Americans or international students, every moment I spent was amazing. Cannot express how glad I was to visit the Côte d'Azur and cannot wait to go back!

CEA responded to this reviewJanuary 30, 2020

Thank you for your review, Conner! “Superior is an understatement” is truly music to our ears. We so appreciate the kind words about our wonderful French Riviera program director, and your review echoes the same sentiments as many of our CEA French Riviera alumni! Be sure to stop by and say hello the next time you’re in France, and we wish you all the best in your future endeavors!

Studying abroad with CEA in the French Riviera was truly a once in a lifetime experience. Living in an apartment or home stay in the small town of Antibes allows you to experience firsthand southern French culture every single day. Not to mention, it is an extremely beautiful piece of the world. CEA also provides excursions included in the program price, which allow you to see other parts of the country, learn its rich history, and divulge yourself in French delicacies! I would recommend CEA Study Abroad to anyone considering studying abroad, as they offer a vast variety of study locations, you have an On-Site Director who is there for anything you need (like setting up doctor's appointments), and you will be able to truly immerse yourself in the culture of your choosing.

CEA responded to this reviewOctober 14, 2019

Kayla, thank you for your thorough review! We are so glad you had a wonderful time abroad with CEA, and we appreciate your kind words about our incredible French Riviera staff and program! Be sure to stop by and say “bonjour” the next time you’re in Antibes. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors!

IES Abroad Nice was one of the best decisions I have made in my life! I have never had the opportunity to live and become so submerged into another culture prior to this summer. I have always lived in Michigan and while having the opportunity to travel to various places, I have never been gone from home for so long. Walking to class every morning (even though we had class at 9 or 9:30 everyday which is super early for me) by all of the pastry shops and walking to the Mediterranean ocean after class to sunbathe was literally a dream. This program is super unique, too, because you also get the chance to live in Marseille (another town in France) and to travel around Morocco with the other people on the trip. I got super close with all of the other students as well as the director or the program, and look forward to returning to Nice very soon!

If you were to ask me at the start of university if I would ever study abroad, I would've definitely said there's no way. In fall 2018, I challenged myself to do things outside of my comfort zone and being that I always wanted to go to France, I took the initiative to study abroad with IES at Skema Business School in spring 2019. Hands down one of the best decisions I've made. From the initiation of the study abroad process, I felt constantly reassured by the IES staff in my home country though I frequently doubted myself. The process of getting courses approved could deter anyone as it is very tedious and approvals aren't always guaranteed but honestly it just takes a strong sense of determination and hope to eventually get there. Like almost every other college kid, I struggle with procrastination. One thing that I really admired about IES Abroad, was the fact that there was an online portal to upload documents and this portal had different deadlines for varying documents, so it was very easy to keep abreast of the submissions and other outstanding requirements. What also aided in the portal being efficient was the fact that there were detailed descriptions therefore there wasn't much room for confusion. When I arrived in France, the IES abroad staff was just as hospitable. The center was walking distance from my homestay, so my friends and I would visit anytime we could. I would be lying if I said I never experienced culture shock. The first two weeks in France wasn't really the best time because I felt like I wasn't able to relate with the locals. Thanks to IES abroad, the transition went a bit smoother because they hosted games night with French locals and they had numerous events so that we could get acclimated with the French cuisine. I would do spring 2019 all over again because the memories that I've made, there is nothing that compares to the joy that I've held on to. My advice for anyone looking to study abroad is to go with an open mind. So much adventure awaits and I promise you, you'll enjoy.

I spent four months in Paris, France during the Spring 2019 semester. I am a nursing major at Hope College and I went to Paris to finish up my French minor. I decided to choose this particular IES Paris program because I really desired to grow in my overall French language skills, even though French may not have any direct involvement in my future career as a nurse. That being said, my decision to take classes entirely taught in French and to live in a home stay with a woman who only spoke French was hands-down THE best decision of my life. I grew immensely in my language skills, and I got to immerse myself in Parisian culture while also traveling around Europe on weekend excursions with the new friends I made there and together with my entire program. I grew in self-assurance and maturity as I navigated my life abroad very much independently, and I got to experience cultures drastically different from my own - which I believe is one of the most important things anyone could ever do. When I ask people now if they have plans to study abroad, and their response is "Well, I don't really have any reason to with my major," it is difficult for me not to laugh because I know what a huge impact studying abroad had on me and my entire perspective on life. Everyone should study abroad. I made some of the best friends of my entire life, and I grew into a mature adult with the confidence to travel and take huge leaps out of my comfort zone. I now better understand the importance of taking the time to appreciate and learn from other cultures, and I can understand a whole new language!!

CEA is the perfect program to study abroad through. The credible courses they offer allowed me to get required credits for my degree, while structuring the academics in such a way I could spend my free time to explore Rome. All of the staff members are friendly and willing to help with any inquiries that the students may have, and the activities that are organized through CEA are a great way to get guided trips to what would be trickier places to go to. Everyone in CEA is constantly looking out for the students and are willing to listen to feedback students have during the trip. The combined effects of all of this has led to the best study abroad experience I could have asked for.

CEA responded to this reviewJuly 09, 2019

This is music to our ears, Schuyler! Thank you for your thoughtful and thorough review – we are so glad you had a positive experience with our wonderful Rome staff and throughout your study abroad experience! We wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

I can very easily say that studying abroad in the French Riviera through CEA has been one of the best experiences of my life. Our on-site coordinator, Kristen, was like a second mom to our group of 24. The excursions and activities that she planned made my four months that much more special. Living in a different country for a semester can be scary, but it didn't take long before Antibes felt like my home. I feel so connected to Antibes that I plan to go back and visit every three years. And I have CEA to thank for it. I would highly recommend this program to anyone who is considering studying abroad.

CEA responded to this reviewJune 10, 2019

Hannah, thank you for your review and for all your contributions as a CEA MOJO this semester. We are so glad you had a positive experience with CEA in the French Riviera, and made Antibes like a second home! Thank you and we wish you all the best!

Studying abroad changed my life, and it’s all thanks to CEA! I’m so glad they have a program in the French Riviera. It was a small, close-knit group in the most surreal area. I fell in love with the town, region, and French culture there and I want to go back every day. My CEA coordinator made it feel like home away from home with the greatest excursions and events and are some of my favorite memories as a group. 3 months later, and all of us students who went are still in communication almost every day. I learned so much about myself and in growing in my independence and what better way to do that than this amazing program?! I will ALWAYS recommend this program to people!!

CEA responded to this reviewApril 02, 2019

Thank you for your kind words about your time with us in the French Riviera, Kathryn! Your review echoes the thoughts of so many more CEA Antibes alumni – from the friends you’ve made for life, to the feeling of falling in love with the location and culture. It’s wonderful for us to hear about your growth abroad – and please be sure to stop by and say “bonjour” the next time you’re back in the French Riviera!

I loved my experience with IES Abroad French Studies. I was placed with a homestay family, which allowed me to both practice French on a daily basis, but also to gain interesting points of view on current events and popular culture. My IES Aborad classes were excellent, and all taught by French university professors who both understood how to teach classes to American students and to students for whom French was their second language. I was also able to take classes at an outside university, and truly gain an understanding of the French university system, invaluable because I plan to return to France for further education after graduating college. I also met wonderful people during my time abroad, both students in my IES Abroad program, and French teenagers in my classes at the university. IES Abroad both encouraged and facilitated our immersion in French culture, and allowed students to really personalize the program to meet their specific goals.