How do I apply to CEA CAPA Education Abroad in French Riviera, France?

You can apply to CEA CAPA Education Abroad in French Riviera, France by clicking the "Apply Now" button.

Is housing provided for CEA CAPA Education Abroad in French Riviera, France?

Yes, the program includes housing. Participants stay in apartments or with a host family.

What's included in CEA CAPA Education Abroad in French Riviera, France's fee?

The program fee includes some accommodation, activities, airport transfers, and classes.

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CEA CAPA Education Abroad in French Riviera, France

Q: Where is CEA CAPA Education Abroad in French Riviera, France located?

CEA CAPA Education Abroad in French Riviera, France is located in France.

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CEA CAPA Education Abroad

4.86 (57 reviews)

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CEA CAPA Education Abroad in French Riviera, France

CEA CAPA Education Abroad

4.86 · 57 reviews

Community Choice Award Winner

Location

France

Term

Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter

Subject Areas

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 Reviewed: Sep 19, 2026

Wish List

60 travelers are looking at this program

Frequently asked questions

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About Program

With its 300+ sunny days a year, world-class museums, galleries, and sandy beaches, the Côte d’Azur or French Riviera 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 with courses at the CEA CAPA Center or during the semesters take science, engineering, or business courses in English at SKEMA Business School. 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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COMMUNITY REVIEWS SUMMARY

This program offers a supportive, well-organized experience in the charming town of Antibes with easy access to travel across Europe.

AI-generated summary from verified community reviews Read reviews →

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

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.

www.ceastudyabroad.com

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.

www.ceastudyabroad.com

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 Reviews

4.86 Rating

based on 57 reviews

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Rating Spread Study

5 rating 85.96%
4 rating 14.04%
3 rating 0%
2 rating 0%
1 rating 0%

Academics 3.75
Support 4.85
Fun 4.8
Housing 4.7
Safety 4.8

Good for Students, Photographers, Adventure travelers

Showing 1 - 8 of 57 reviews

This past summer I had the opportunity to study abroad in the south France, specifically Antibes, France. It was such an amazing experience that I’ll never forget not only did I get to learn about an entirely new culture and visit a new place, but I also made so many great memories and friends that I will never forget. Support and guidance from CEA CAPAs staff also made a huge impact on my trip being so authentic and eye opening. They made sure that we not only had an amazing time, but also always felt safe and heard. One of my biggest concerns was simply being that far from home for so long, after never actually going abroad before. Thankfully, the staff quickly made this concern go away for me because of how comfortable I felt.

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

One thing I would change is, I would try to visit more of the neighboring places using the train. We used the train to go to Paris and it was a six hour ride, but I wish I would’ve taken shorter rides to neighboring cities and explore there a little bit more.

Pros

Make so many friends
Explore a new environment and culture
Try new amazing food and see beautiful architecture

What other participants should know

Away from family for a while
Sometimes hard to communicate cross culture
Can be hard to navigate maps or directions

The French Riviera is a stunningly beautiful place. Every day, you get to walk along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea and look upon the snow-capped French Alps. I regularly take walks and runs along the peninsula of Antibes for exercise and enjoy the beautiful views. And because of the school's (Skema) class schedule, you can typically arrange your class schedule to a few days a week, allowing you to have extended weekends to explore more of the French and European scenery. While I studied abroad, I had the privilege of traveling to 11 different countries. Simultaneously, I had the opportunity to connect with other students from around the US and around the world, hearing their stories, experiences, and backgrounds.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

Over the course of studying abroad, I learned countless things. I worked hard to prepare myself as best as I could. However, there are always things I could do differently, looking back. The most important advice I have to give is to plan ahead. Figure out where you want to go, and book it ahead of time. Prices rise weeks before the flight. But if you can book before prices rise, you can save hundreds of dollars. Traveling Europe is not for the spontaneous type unless you plan to pay for it.

Pros

Adventrues
Learning
greater understanding of the world

What other participants should know

Education
lack of community
Uncertainty

My recent semester abroad was one of the most unforgettable and incredible experiences that gave me friends and memories I'll keep for the rest of my life. Partnering with CEA CAPA Abroad, the staff was extremely helpful from my application process to my actual time abroad, answering questions and supporting me as needed along with planning and coordinating excursions. From the very beginning I got help with setting up the payment for the program, preparing standard paperwork for visa application as well as the embassy visit, and once settled there was additional help from the staff onsite with any kind of travel or living expectations and guide to maximize my time while there.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?

Escargot and although it tastes good, the idea of what it is still irks me.

Pros

International school
Immersive experience
Guided process

What other participants should know

Occasional language barrier

One thing about me is that I’ve wanted to study abroad in college ever since I was in middle school, and once I started learning French in high school, I knew I wanted to go study abroad in France. Spending the semester in Antibes with CEA CAPA was such an amazing experience, and I’m so glad I went. The CEA CAPA office took us on so many fun excursions and hosted cool events. So much I would never have experienced and people I never would’ve met if it weren't for them. We had a few multicourse meals, an overnight stay in Aix-en-Provence, and made our own perfume. It was nice to be in a smaller city for my first time abroad by myself, so I felt safer, but it was still close to many other cities and the airport.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?

The CEA CAPA office hosted a food tasting event with food from different parts of France, so the majority of the foods were unfamiliar, but the oddest had to be escargot. It was surprisingly good! I think it was because of the sauce, but honestly, not bad at all.

Pros

Well connected
Fun activities
Good support

What other participants should know

Housing is a toss up
The bus made me nauseous
Confusing store hours

My experience studying abroad in Nice, France, through CEA Abroad was one of the most rewarding experiences I have had during college. Since I had never been to France before, I was excited to experience a new country and culture while continuing to make progress toward my degree. The program gave me a great balance between academic structure, cultural experiences, and independence.

One of my favorite parts of the program was living in Nice and being able to experience everyday life in France. I enjoyed exploring the city, getting coffee at local cafés, trying new restaurants, and spending time along the Mediterranean. Nice was also a great home base for exploring the French Riviera and traveling throughout Europe.

Academically, the program was a great fit for me because the courses aligned well with my business major at Wake Forest. My favorite class was my French course because it helped me engage more with the local community. Even using a few French phrases when ordering coffee or talking with locals made me feel more connected to the culture and more comfortable stepping outside of my comfort zone.

I also really appreciated how much independence the experience gave me. Navigating a new city, meeting people from different backgrounds, and experiencing a different culture helped me become more confident and adaptable. Some of my favorite memories came from small, everyday experiences rather than major trips or activities.

Overall, I would highly recommend the CEA Abroad Nice program. It allowed me to stay on track academically while experiencing a new culture, exploring France and Europe, and becoming more independent. I came away with great memories and a much greater appreciation for the value of studying abroad.

I thoroughly enjoyed my experience during the CEA CAPA French Riviera program! Our cohort was fairly small, around 30-40 people, so we all became friendly with each other quickly, and I made amazing friends during my time abroad. We were all assigned private student apartments across the city of Antibes; I was very happy with mine! I only had one flatmate, but it can range from 1-3 flatmates from my understanding. My building was secure with the exterior door fob-locked, but we were all in different buildings, so specifics likely vary.

CEA CAPA staff were friendly and made themselves available 24/7 for any questions or concerns. They always provided support when needed, and planned great excursions to Nice, Monaco, Grasse, and more!

Antibes is a beautiful city tucked between Cannes and Nice, so there is plenty to do in the area, and Nice has a well-connected airport for easy, cheap travel. Overall, I would highly recommend this program!

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

I would be more methodical in my travel planning to maximize my time. My program was a bit less than 4 months long, which seems like plenty of time, but I still didn't get to visit all the places I wanted to go.

Pros

Easy access to airport
24/7 CEA CAPA support
Engaging excursions

Apartment kitchen and bathroom entrance.

I had a blast learning about cultures and making friends it was my first time leaving the country. I am grateful for the staff for the support and fun trips. The south of France is high in culture, and low in tourists. It is beautiful and close to a really helpful airport. I miss being there, the train can get you to Italy plus various spots in France. The city doesn't get boring. There is music, beaches, and artworks. The people are super friendly and accommodating, most spoke english too which helped!

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

I did it my senior fall, so I would go back and do it sooner, so I had more time to explore as a student in following semesters

Pros

trips
meeting people from different states
support contacts

What other participants should know

I had the best time studying abroad with CEA CAPA! The antibes program was smaller which was nice because I met life-long friends. Additionally, since it was small the staff got to know all of us personally. The smaller program had benefits such as the excursions but we were placed in an international school instead of a CEA CAPA school. I enjoyed that but think it is good for people to know before arriving. The host city it small and beautiful and just a short train ride from big cities like Nice or Cannes, get to experience the small town charm of the south of france but still have the opportunity for faster pace activities/night life.

Community Questions

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.

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