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: 4.91 (35 reviews)

Read 35 reviews

4.91 Rating

Leave a Review

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

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

Health & Safety

Learn More

View Other Details

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: Apr 09, 2025

Wish List

54 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!

Visit Site

Apply Now

Video and Photos

CEA Study Abroad Students on the French Riviera

View All Photos

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.

Learn More

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.

Learn More

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

Program Reviews

4.91 Rating

based on 35 reviews

Leave a Review

Rating Spread Study

5 rating 91.43%
4 rating 8.57%
3 rating 0%
2 rating 0%
1 rating 0%

Academics 3.85
Support 4.95
Fun 4.8
Housing 4.75
Safety 4.8

Good for Students, Photographers, Adventure travelers

Showing 1 - 8 of 35 reviews

I had always wanted to travel the world, but I had never even been out of the country until I went to live abroad for four months with CEA CAPA. This was the best decision I have ever made, as I had an incredible experience and was able to travel the rest of Europe on the weekends, while also being able to enjoy living in the French Riviera throughout the week. Furthermore, the onsite staff were super helpful, and the excursions were a great way to get to know the surrounding areas. Overall, I had an awesome time abroad and am super grateful I decided to go.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?

I would travel more of the closer surrounding areas. I did a lot of traveling to other countries, like Spain, Italy, Morocco, Germany and Switzerland, but I never traveled much along the French Riviera, which I really regret.

Pros

Living by the beach
Great food
Awesome staff

Cons

Less safe when tourist season ended
The bus to SKEMA was long and crowded - I always got motion sick

I spent the fall of 2023 in Antibes, France and it was such a wonderful time. The city was at its most vibrant until the end of October and then again at the end of December. There is a lot to do around the city and traveling to other parts of the French Riviera is very easy and cheap. The community always felt pretty safe and the people were very nice. I would say to try to learn some French, as the locals appreciate when you try to make an effort and will often respond back in English if they can tell you are stuggling. As a STEM student, I attended SKEMA business school, which is a great business school but I struggled a bit with the STEM classes, I require a stricter learning environment that was different than the way we were taught. Overall, the experience was so amazing and I would recommend it to anyone that is thinking of going!

Studying abroad with CEA CAPA at the French Riviera was the most wonderful experience, and I would highly recommend this program to anyone looking to study abroad. The program was incredibly well-organized, and the staff was supportive and attentive, ensuring that we had everything we needed to thrive both academically and personally. The location itself is stunning, with breathtaking views, historical old towns, and a rich cultural heritage. I had the chance to explore beautiful places like Nice, Monaco, and Cannes, all while taking courses that were engaging and relevant to my studies.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?

The most nerve-racking moment was missing a connecting train during one of our trips to Northern France. My friend and I were so scared we would not make it to our final destination and felt worried we were going to be stranded in an unknown part of France. However, we calmed down and quickly realized there was a bus that could take us exactly where we needed to go. We bought some cheap bus tickets and made it to our destination right on time.

My experience with the CEA CAPA French Riviera study abroad program was truly incredible. From the moment I arrived in the bustling but quaint little town of Antibes, France just outside of Nice, I was deeply immersed in French culture and lifestyle. The area itself has much more of a local and genuine feel to it than many other popular study abroad destinations. Especially since my program ran from January to April, there were far less tourists and crowds throughout the French Riviera, which is a very popular vacation spot in the warmer months. This quieter environment made it feel like a much more personal experience, and allowed me to better enjoy the sights, sounds, food, and just general atmosphere. As someone who had never even step foot outside of the US prior, traveling to a foreign country halfway across the world where I would then live for several months was somewhat daunting. However, upon my arrival, I was greeted with warmth and welcomeness from the on-site CEA CAPA staff. They made the transition into life on the French Riviera much smoother, and provided loads of information and guidance throughout my stay. I am so thankful for my experience in this program, as I learned so much about myself and the world around me!

Pros

Many cities and small towns in close proximity which are great for exploring, also less than an hour train or car ride from Monaco and Italy (nearly impossible to get bored)
Super friendly and helpful on-site staff
Beautiful scenery as the French Riviera is located on the mediterranean and just south of the alps with ocean and mountain views visible from the same spot

Cons

French locals are notoriously rude to foreigners, although I did not encounter this too much as people in the South of France are known to be a bit nicer
Restaurants/food tends to be a bit on the pricier side than other destinations

When growing up thinking about study abroad was always in my mind, I knew that going to college study abroad was a priority. When I was doing my college applications I noticed that one of my top schools offered the opportunity for students to study abroad with CEA CAPA their very first semester of college. When I saw this I knew I had to apply and as I committed to the university I hoped to go to France. With my time in France I was able to have a unique start to college that really propelled me into this experience and going to France with CEA CAPA was the best way to do it. In France the CEA CAPA staff was incredibly supportive and made my experience infinitely more fun. The French Riviera offered an incredible experience between the culture and the people that I really got to take advantage of during my study abroad.

What was your funniest moment?

My funniest moment was in the last week of the program when our CEA CAPA director convinced me to get not one but two tattoos with her in Antibes with my friends.

Pros

Great staff
Great location
Incredible food

Cons

Some places closed for a fall break
We experienced some issues with safety when the tourism declined in November, but they resolved in December when tourism spiked again
Crowded bus ride to the Skema Business School

I loved this program! The CEA CAPA staff was so hopeful from start to finish and helped with everything to transferring credits to finding our apartments to helping me when I was sick. I had a random roommate and our cute apartment was on a pedestrian only street in Old Town Antibes. It was a five minute walk to the ocean, to the market, to the grocery store, and to most of my friends' apartments. Also only 10 minutes to the bus stop to school and 15 to the train station. Super easy to visit Nice, other nearby towns, and get to the airport. Antibes has fun bars mostly, but we also had fun at a cfew clubs in Nice. Definitely dies down in the winter, but super cute and festive during Christmas time. CEA CAPA's excursions were wel planned and were great for learning about the area and getting closer with people in the program. Highly recommend!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?

Escargot and foie-gras

Pros

Small town w accessibility to big city
Beautiful location with great weather
Fun well planned group excursions

Cons

Not as much to do in the winter (small town)
Not an inexpensive place to live (pretty touristy)

This was a wonderful program and location. The location of this program is super convenient for traveling to other cities and countries. I was able to travel easily and cheaply almost every weekend. But I would also really recommend staying close to the city. There are so many things to see and do without traveling far. The people were amazing, I was really good friends with my roommates and made a lot of friends with the others in the program. The school was in a very cool location and the classes were perfect for me, although the structure varied from what I was used to.

Pros

Easy Travel
Amazing Food
Beautiful Location

Studying abroad in the French Riviera was an amazing experience, and CEA CAPA was extremely helpful through every stage. I was able to take two engineering courses and two electives at Skema Business School. I found the academics to be easier than the courses at my home university. My host city, Antibes, was the perfect spot as my home base. It is less touristy than other towns in the South of France, but it still has plenty to do in terms of eating out, shopping, sightseeing, and nightlife. My on site program coordinators were extremely welcoming and made me feel comfortable and at home the second I arrived.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?

I would learn more French before I arrived if I could change one thing. The students in my program that were fluent or close to being fluent in French were able to communicate and engage more with the locals. I think it also would have been nice to be able to read more words in the grocery store, on road signs, on menus, etc.

Pros

Good weather
Easy access to other cities and towns

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.

View Entire Interview

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.

cannes film festival

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.

berlin wall

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...

CEA CAPA Education Abroad in French Riviera, France

Program Details

Pricing

About Program

Video and Photos

Diversity & Inclusion 💙

Impact 🌎

Program Highlights

Program Reviews

An Incredible Adventure

Life in Antibes

French Riviera review

A Dream Come True On The Côte D'Azur

The Best Start to College

Beautiful French Town with Greate Support System

French Riviera

Study abroad in the French Riviera

Questions & Answers

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?

Jamie Crane-Mauzy

Cailyn Katsev

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?

Location

About CEA CAPA Education Abroad

CEA CAPA Education Abroad in Sydney, Australia

CEA CAPA Education Abroad in Paris, France

CEA CAPA Education Abroad in London, England