CEA CAPA Education Abroad in French Riviera, France

Name: CEA CAPA Education Abroad in French Riviera, France
Brand: CEA CAPA Education Abroad
SKU: 16970
Rating: 4.95 (20 reviews)

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4.95 Rating

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Location

France

Term

Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter

Subject Areas

Accounting Art History Biology Business Chemistry Communications Computer Science Cultural Studies Economics Engineering English Environmental Studies Finance Humanities Information Technology International Business International Relations Liberal Arts Life Sciences Linguistics Literature Marketing Mathematics Physics Political Science Psychology Public Relations Social Sciences Sociology Web Design +20

Financial Support

Need-based funding, Merit-based funding, General grants/scholarships, Payment plans, Work study, LGBTQIA+ funding, BIPOC funding

Health & Safety

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Program Details

Program Type

Provider

Degree Level

High School Diploma Associates Bachelors

Housing

Apartment Host Family

Language

English

Pricing

Price Details

Included: Personalized Pre-departure Advising; Tuition & Registration; Travel Medical Insurance; On-site Orientation; Housing; Volunteer Opportunities; On-site Staff Support; Excursions and Cultural Engagement; Host Institution Services & Amenities and more. Scholarships available.

What's Included

Some Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Classes

Last Updated: Jun 20, 2023

Last Reviewed: Sep 06, 2023

Wish List

44 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

With its 300+ sunny days a year, world-class museums, galleries, and sandy beaches, the Côte d’Azur (literally “azure coast”) or “French Riviera,” as English speakers refer to it, affords 71 miles of Mediterranean coastline along the southeast corner of France. The region’s sub-tropical climate has drawn many famous visitors and expats, including Ernest Hemingway, Coco Chanel, and Pablo Picasso.

There, you can immerse yourself in French language and culture at our partner university, the Centre International d'Antibes, or take science, engineering, or business courses in English at the Bachelors Program at SKEMA Business School. As it is home to the Cannes Film Festival, the French Riviera is a great location to engage in a hands-on internship during this world-famous event. Excursions to cities like Provence and Grasse will round out your experience abroad.

Interested? Click the “Visit Site” button to learn what’s waiting for you!

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Video and Photos

CEA Study Abroad Students on the French Riviera

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Diversity & Inclusion

BIPOC Support

CEA CAPA provides, in conjunction with Diversity Abroad, Destination Guides which provide resources and tips for Black/African-American students, Latinx students, Asian American students, and all other students of color.

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LGBTQIA+ Support

Through our personalized advising, CEA CAPA takes steps to understand the needs of a diversity of student identities like the LGBTQIA+ community. In addition to diversity and identity training, CEA CAPA leadership engage in continuous department level project work to identify and revise policies and practices using the appropriate Justice, Equity, Diversity or Inclusion lens as a frame to reduce bias and barriers that impact students, faculty, and staff. CEA CAPA is intentional in elevating diverse student voices and providing a platform for a broad array of identities to share their experiences abroad. The CEA CAPA World Blog promotes stories and personal experiences from the perspectives of diverse student bloggers and vloggers.

Neurodivergent Support

CEA CAPA is willing and able to assist students with learning disabilities and physical disabilities. Students are requested to disclose disabilities through the application health forms as part of their application and in discussion with their application advisor or program manager. The earlier CEA CAPA is made aware of learning or physical disabilities the better we can work with the student, institution, and overseas team to tailor an Individualized Education Program if necessary to support the student.

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Impact

Sustainability

CEA CAPA makes a conscious effort to create study abroad experiences that leave a positive impact on host communities. Each location implements a variety of strategies to support the local community and promote sustainability. Examples include:

Use of recycling bins in Study Center locations and in CEA CAPA housing

Signage in CEA CAPA housing urging students to limit water and electricity usage

Students are often given reusable bags and water bottles upon arrival to limit single plastic use

Students are provided with instructions for acquiring transportation passes to promote use of public transportation rather than taxis

Program Highlights

Hands-on learning experiences that transform the world abroad into a classroom
Personalized Pre-Departure Advising, including visa and immigration support
Courses offered in English that fulfill major and general graduation requirements
Comprehensive on-site support, including 24/7 emergency phone
Career workshops, Internships Abroad, and Alumni Ambassador positions

Scholarships

CEA CAPA Scholarships and Financial Aid

Studying abroad will change your life, improve your employability, and enhance your global competence. That's why we commit more than $2.0 million each year to our financial and scholarship programs.

Value

$400 - $3,000

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Program Reviews

4.95 Rating

based on 20 reviews

Leave a Review

Rating Spread Study

5 rating 95%
4 rating 5%
3 rating 0%
2 rating 0%
1 rating 0%

Academics 4
Support 4.95
Fun 4.8
Housing 4.85
Safety 4.9

Good for Solo Travelers, Photographers, Students

Showing 1 - 8 of 20 reviews

Oh my goodness -- this experience was so transformative. From my arrival in France to my departure the CEA staff was incredible. They were supportive, encouraging, informative, thorough, and fun! Antibes, my home there, was dreamy, quaint, and safe. It was the absolute perfect location in France. It was right on the beach, with a view of the French Alps. Italy was a one hour train ride away, and Paris was a five hour train ride away. The food was incredible, the locals were kind, and the school was so educational. I have nothing but wonderful things to say about the French Riviera and my study abroad experience there.

Pros

Beautiful sights
Safe location
Amazing food

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

The view of Antibes from the coast - Breathtaking.

My experience was very special because it was my first time out of the United States. I was anxious and frightened about what lied ahead not knowing how traveling that far went. All together, it was the most life changing experience I have ever had and I am so grateful for the opportunity. The program made me felt so safe and after a week or so of adjusting; I felt at home. The little things like going to the grocery store were so fun because of the culture difference and scenery. Studying abroad helped with my self growth and self reliance.

Pros

Self growth
Independence
One in a lifetime chance

Cons

Homesick (very rarely)
Time difference from family
Goes by too fast

While abroad, I engaged with my local community by going to the daily farmers' market and interacting with the local community. I signed up for the local gym, would have everyday conversations, and building relationships with the workers and the regulars at the gym. I also went to a couple of different cafes daily and would practice my french with them and be friendly to me when I mess up. I interned at the Cannes Film Festival. This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience where I was able to work for a french film company as a videographer, party meister, and personal assistant. I will never forget the first-weekend trip I took abroad when I went to Paris with my friend for his 21st birthday. It was jaw-dropping and eye-opening and made me fall in love with traveling for the rest of my life. Now, I genuinely believe traveling is the best thing you can do in life and what truly helps you discover who you are.

Pros

Beauitful
Unique
Fun

Cons

Not as practical / set up for study abroad

CEA French Riviera is the absolute best program you can choose for study abroad. First things first, you get to live in Antibes, which is the yacht capital or Europe, and one of the most gorgeous coastal towns on the French Riviera. Think about it, how many people get to say they did that! If your there at the right time of year, you can go to class in the morning, and go to the beach in the Afternoon! Antibes is a short train ride away from many other destinations in the area such as Nice, Monaco, Cannes, and Grass, not to mention all the other little Eagle nest villages to visit in your spare time.

This program puts you at one of the best business school's in Europe (SKEMA), where you will have professors from all over the globe teach your classes.

The absolute best part of this program is the onsite director Kristen. Kristen will be there for you every step of the way, I have never met such a nice and caring person in my life. She ensures that you have a comfortable transition into the semester, and takes you on many different excursions. She is truly an expert on the area. Kristen also host many onsite activities such as Wine Tasting.

You truly cannot go wrong with this program! Trust me you'll be glad you spent your semester abroad in Antibes!

What would you improve about this program?

I would just improve the relationship between Skema and CEA.

Response from CEA CAPA Education Abroad

Thank you so much for your thorough and thoughtful review, Jared! Your recommendations will help serve as a guide for future students when researching their own France study abroad programs with CEA (and your kind words about our wonderful program director, Kristin, echo the same sentiments as so many of our French Riviera alumni!). We are so glad you had a wonderful CEA experience and we wish you the very best in your future endeavors. Be sure to stop by and say hello the next time you find yourself in Antibes!

By CEA Study Abroad on April 28, 2020

I throughly enjoyed my time abroad. I met some of my best friends while there. We continue to travel the world together. My roommates taught me so many things about their own culture while I taught them mine. The program director was absolutely amazing she was able to help us in a moments notice and she was fluent in English, French, and German. She made us feel very welcome and answered all of our questions via email before we even arrived. I would highly recommend this program. Antibes was very safe all of the time. We never felt like we had to be on edge.

What would you improve about this program?

The school that we went to was very difficult based on how it was set up. I enjoyed the materials that we talked about in my classes, however it was very difficult to understand some of the professors or figure out how to contact them. They rarely checks their email or answered our questions. Most of the classwork was group projects. And there was a little homework for most of the grading was done through the tests and exams that we had.

This picture was taken by my friend from Austria who came to visit me in the South of France. We explored cities along the Riviera together. This was taken in Cannes during the month of November.

This photo was taken during one of our weekend trips to Amsterdam. These streets were full of bicycles and amazing places to eat. I would love to go back and highly recommend this destination.

Response from CEA CAPA Education Abroad

Thank you for your review, Andrew! We are glad to hear you had a wonderful experience in the French Riviera with CEA. We value your candid feedback and are always working to improve our programs for our students – if you would like to share any other feedback about your time abroad, we would love to hear from you at StudentFeedback@ceastudyabroad.com. Thank you for sharing your perspective and your wonderful photos – we wish you all the best and hope you’ll stop by and say “bonjour” the next time you’re in France!

By CEA Study Abroad on January 17, 2020

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 college students. The excursions and activities that she planned made my four months that much more special. Our housing was very centrally located and the public transportation made it easy to visit other neighboring cities like Nice and Cannes. 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.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

Even if you do not have any experience speaking French, I recommend learning a few key phrases like how to order at a restaurant or ask for directions.

Response from CEA CAPA Education Abroad

Thank you for your review, Hannah! “I feel so connected to Antibes that I plan to go back and visit every three years” = major goals! Your suggestions for future students are helpful and we so appreciate your positive words about your semester with CEA!

By CEA Study Abroad on June 10, 2019

This program is really great! I am so glad that I chose to come to the Riviera, and I think that everyone needs to know more about the South of France in general! The program was small, so it made it easier to get to know the people in our group really well, as well as get to know anyone they met here as well! The city we are located in, Antibes, is quaint, easy to get around in, and has just the right amount of locals to make it exciting and always buzzing. I have also never seen so many yachts in my life! Our program director is seriously the best person to have here, she is so helpful and really makes it feel like home from the moment you get here. The experiences here will last me a lifetime and it really has become one of my favorite places in Europe to be! I will really miss living in France, and I will definitely be back some day!

What would you improve about this program?

Maybe just teaming with a new school. The current school is quite unorganized and difficult to communicate with and get answers from when things go wrong. This is not just because we were having a level of culture shock, its just pure lack of organization on the school's part. Nothing that CEA could do about it, other than to look into new schools that will work better for students in the future.

Response from CEA CAPA Education Abroad

Thank you for your wonderful review, Evelyn! We are so proud of our CEA French Riviera staff and are so glad you had a positive experience in making Antibes a second home. We are always looking for ways to improve our programs and appreciate your insight. If there is anything you would like to share more specifically with our team regarding your host university, please email us at ProgramManagement@ceastudyabroad.com. We wish you all the best, and be sure to stop by and say “bonjour” should you find yourself in the French Riviera!

By CEA Study Abroad on December 18, 2018

Questions & Answers

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

I chose to study abroad with CEA French Riviera because of how highly recommended the program was. Everything from school schedules to housing to public transportation was taken care of by the specialists at CEA, which I knew would make the transition to a foreign country much easier. They also partner with SKEMA Business School which was fully accredited toward my home university. I was able to attend a university that specialized in my specific major and earn the credits I needed to stay on track with my four-year plan at Cedarville.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

CEA assisted me with the Visa process by informing me of the steps I needed to take and when so I can get my Visa on time. They completely set up the housing for all of us and assigned each of us roommates based on a survey of our preferences. Once we got to France, the site specialist sat down with each of us individually to talk about our class schedules and adjust them accordingly. CEA also coordinated multiple day trips for our group where we went to nearby cities and learn about the culture and history of them.

My university, Cedarville, had different presentations for all the students studying abroad to give us tips on how to deal with culture shock, how to get the best deals traveling, and get the most out of our experience abroad.

I had to organize my Visa appointment on my own, which I think almost everyone does anyway. I also had to organize my own spring break and weekend trips. Other than personal travels and activities, most things were organized for me, or I was assisted in organizing.

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What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

I wish I would have known how culture shocked I'd be by my fellow American students. I grew up in a very Baptist community and attend a strict Christian college, so being around the major drinking culture for the first time was quite shocking.

However, I could not be more thankful for the opportunities I had in France to become more open minded of not just another country's culture, but of another worldview's culture.

Because my faith is so important to me, it is the main thing that stuck out while I was so far removed from my comfort zone. Advice I have for others who are devoted to faith or religion would be to get plugged in. I found an amazing church that translated in both French and English where I was able to get connected with people from all over the world. This kept me grounded and allowed for me to get cultural experience without having to compromise my personal convictions. Do not let fears of discomfort, uncertainty, or anxiety keep you from experiencing one of the greatest gifts: a broader perspective of this planet and its beautiful people.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

The classes at SKEMA Business School are set up differently than my classes in America in that each class is only once a week for three hours. I had classes every morning, Monday-Thursday. I usually got done with class around 11 AM, so the rest of my day was free to study, grocery shop, go to the beach, hike around the Cap d'Antibes, and hang out with friends. I also had every Friday off which allowed for a longer weekend to travel around Europe.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

My biggest fear going to France was that I didn't know any French. Although the school I would be attending had English speaking classes, I wasn't sure how I was going to communicate with waiters and waitresses, grocery clerks, or anyone outside of school. However, once I finally got there, I found out that many people in Europe speak more than one language. More often than not, they know enough English to communicate. For those with whom I didn't share a common language, we communicated through gestures, charades, and facial expressions.

Sometimes we never got to the point of fully understanding each other, and sometimes I ordered the wrong thing, but in the end it didn't matter. Every baby step toward learning a new language and every successful interaction is a small victory. I no longer look at it as a language barrier, but an opportunity to grow in my overall communication skills.

What did you miss about the US while you were away? Now that you’re home, what do you miss about southern France?

While I was in France, I missed random things. I missed my friends from my home university the most, but that was to be expected. I also really missed American-Mexican food. For some reason, the French do not eat Mexican food. Their grocery stores have a limited supplies for making anything Mexican, and what they do have is overpriced. Also, where I was living was a small city, so there was minimal green spaces and never the smell of a back yard BBQ which is the epitome of the American suburbs I grew up in.

Now that I'm back in the US, I miss all the things that I took for granted. I miss the small city! I miss being able to walk five minutes down the road to grab my groceries for the week, or go to the beach, or out for dinner with friends. I loved that everything was walkable. Surprisingly, I miss public transportation probably because I didn't have to pay for gas, and being able to hop on a train to Monaco for the day was a plus. Lastly, I miss the friends that I made overseas. My heart is spread throughout the world after meeting so many new people, and it was an adjustment going from seeing them every day to being back in the US.

Jamie Crane-Mauzy

2017 Alum

Cailyn Katsev

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Kristin Kerr

Program

CEA CAPA Education Abroad in French Riviera, France

Job Title

Director of the CEA French Riviera Program

Kristin Kerr is Director of the CEA French Riviera Program in Antibes, France. A native of Leipzig, in the former East Germany, Kristin has lived and worked in France, Germany, England, Poland and Canada. Today, she lives in the scenic Mediterannian village of Theoule-sur-mer in the Esterel Mountains, between Cannes and St. Tropez. Kristin is a graduate of the University of Nice Sophia Antipolis and has worked in the Study Abroad industry for almost 20 years. She is fluent in English, French and German.

antibes

What position do you hold at CEA? What has been your career path so far?

Kristin: I am CEA Program Director running the French Riviera program in Antibes, Southern France. I myself studied French for a year in Cannes while working as an au pair. I then obtained a Masters degree in German language and Literature from the University of Nice Sophia Antipolis, where I studied for 4 years.

Prior to working for CEA, I worked as Program Planner for an American organization specializing in educational tours of Europe for high school students. As Program Director for AIFS in Paris, Cannes and Krakow, I had full responsibility for coordinating study abroad programs in these locations and have worked directly with thousands of students from the US.

Did YOU study abroad?! If so, where and what inspired you to go?

Kristin: As a child I grew up « behind the wall » in Leipzig, East Germany. As soon as travel restrictions were lifted in my country I embarked on an Educational Tour of Spain which greatly influenced me to work in the Study Abroad industry.

To move forward with my career, I knew I had to master several foreign languages, since the German language is not widely spoken or understood in Europe as a whole.

I worked as an au pair in Cannes for a year to master the French language. I was then fluent enough to study for a 4-year degree at the University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis. I then lived in London for 3 years and became fluent in English. I never looked back from that point and I have worked in Study Abroad for almost 20 years.

Describe a time when you felt especially proud to be part of the CEA team.

Kristin: In May every year, I am thrilled to offer CEA students the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to intern at the largest media event in the world after the Olympic Games – the Cannes International Film Festival. Since working in 1996 as an intern myself with David Cronenberg and the cast of his movie « Crash » as well as American Hollywood legend Tony Curtis, I have been involved with the Festival for almost 20 years.

Every year, there are many great opportunities for CEA students to work with/for some of America’s top-rated entertainment shows such as “Entertainment Tonight”. This opportunity has taught them the logistics of behind the scenes work in addition to communication skills vital to working on a global level. While on assignments, it is not uncommon for students to brush shoulders with the likes of Harrison Ford, James Franco or Nicole Kidmann.

Why is language learning and cultural immersion important to you?

Kristin: Fully understanding and speaking the language of any country is vital to connect with its people and brings you huge benefits. I have lived and worked in France, Germany, UK, Canada and Poland and I have witnessed first hand how you can immerse yourself more fully into daily life if you are able to hold a meaningful conversation in the host language.

Language fluency helps you to understand mentalities and it open many doors. Even trying to say just a few words will help to gain the trust of local people, they will appreciate your efforts and help you to make further progress. Speaking the local language will help you to establish meaningful friendships with locals, cultural immersion will be easier and you will have a more enriching experience in general.

The experience of living in different countries and speaking different languages also opens many doors in the global job market. Companies appreciate staff who can communicate with and understand the particularities of their international partners.

Location

Location:

France

Currency:

Euro

Weather:

Jan-Mar

59 F / 21 F

Apr-Jun

77 F / 36 F

Jul-Sep

82 F / 46 F

Oct-Dec

72 F / 25 F

Airports:

Paris Charles de Gaulle

( CDG )

Nice

( NCE )

Lyon Saint Exupéry

( LYS )

Whether you are looking to learn the language of love, ski in the French Alps, indulge in incredible food, or unwind by the French Riviera, this country has plenty to keep you busy. While traveling in France, you will see a large variety of different lifestyles, accents, and delicacies from region to region.

About CEA CAPA Education Abroad

With 22 destinations across 13 countries, CEA CAPA Education Abroad offers an ideal balance of academics, internships, and adventure to more than 4,000 students each year. Click on “Visit Site” to explore our study and internship opportunities and find out just out how far international education can take you. Why study abroad or complete an...

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Program Details

Pricing

Program Highlights

CEA CAPA Scholarships and Financial Aid

Response from CEA CAPA Education Abroad

Response from CEA CAPA Education Abroad

Response from CEA CAPA Education Abroad

Response from CEA CAPA Education Abroad

Alumni Interviews

Katie Huyser

Why did you choose this program?

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

What did you miss about the US while you were away? Now that you’re home, what do you miss about southern France?

Staff Interviews

Kristin Kerr

What position do you hold at CEA? What has been your career path so far?

Did YOU study abroad?! If so, where and what inspired you to go?

Describe a time when you felt especially proud to be part of the CEA team.

Why is language learning and cultural immersion important to you?