At the crossroads of Provence, Italy, and the Alps lies the French Riviera, locally known as the Côte d’Azur. Over the centuries, artists, authors, musicians, and royalty, from F. Scott Fitzgerald to Elton John and Queen Victoria, have made this scenic Mediterranean destination their (vacation) home. Today, students from around the world join high-profile residents in the French Riviera, making it an ideal place to gain cross-cultural communication experience while honing French language skills. Immerse in French language and culture in Antibes at our partner university, the Centre International d'Antibes, or take science, engineering, and business courses in English at SKEMA Business School, located in Sophia Antipolis (a.k.a. Europe’s Silicon Valley). Whichever program you choose, internship, service learning, and volunteer opportunities are available to enrich your experience in this beautiful, vibrant destination.
"As a student studying abroad in a continent I had never been before, I had such an amazing experience. From start to finish, CEA CAPA helped so much with my adjustment into a new country (and a new continent). From social programs with fellow study a..."
"I studied abroad with CEA CAPA in France. It was an amazing experience and I'm forever grateful. Everything about the French Riviera is nice, the weather, the people, and the overall atmosphere. The school I attended was SKEMA Business School. The ac..."
"Oh my goodness -- this experience was so transformative. From my arrival in France to my departure the CEA CAPA staff was incredible. They were supportive, encouraging, informative, thorough, and fun! Antibes, my home there, was dreamy, quaint, and s..."
"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 atmo..."
"I had a great time studying abroad in the French Riviera with CEA CAPA. 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..."
SKEMA (School of Knowledge and Management.) is one of Europe’s most respected schools of business and management and offers a range of undergraduate and master’s level degrees. CEA CAPA students study at the international SKEMA Bachelors program, which offers not only Business and Management courses but also courses in Engineering, Science, Finance, Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Business Administration, Global Business Development, Event Management, E-Business, Marine Biology, Environmental Science, Sustainable Development & Environmental Management, and Product Innovation Management.
Students live in the coastal town of Antibes and study in Sophia Antipolis. The Sophia Antipolis science park, where SKEMA is located, was created in 1969 as Europe’s version of Silicon Valley and is situated in woodlands about 10 km from Antibes. The direct Antibes - SKEMA express bus takes about 20-25 minutes and CEA CAPA students will be commuting with other SKEMA students and employees of high-tech firms who have offices in Sophia Antipolis. The area is home to higher education institutions and industries such as research, health sciences, chemistry, biotechnology, geo sciences, computer science, electronics, networks, and communication. Many global companies maintain a presence here and SKEMA is surrounded by a dynamic, professional environment.
Students quickly feel at home at the small, self-contained campus which promotes sociability and interaction. An active student union organizes many events, activities, and trips (such as integration days, concerts, skiing, sailing and more). There are about 400 undergraduate students on campus and 200 more on transfer placement abroad. Most students are French, but many come from the U.S., UK, Australia, Europe, Eastern Europe, and Asia on exchange programs, making SKEMA Bachelors a truly international program.
At the SKEMA Bachelors program, you will have an international educational experience in a multilingual and multicultural environment where courses are taught by professors of more than 30 nationalities. Each semester’s course schedule is tailor-made to meet your individual needs, with a choice of core and elective courses. Courses are taught in English. Students also have the opportunity to take French language courses at beginners, intermediate and advance levels, so that they may become proficient in speaking, reading and writing French, however, French language courses are not mandatory. Frequent social interaction with Francophile students ensures rapid skill acquisition. All SKEMA professors and administrative staff speak French and English.
SKEMA puts a heavy emphasis on academic responsibility and independence. Instructors expect students to be active listeners and participate in classroom discussions. Students adhere to attendance policies and school rules. Attendance in classes, midterms and finals is mandatory and monitored by professors.
Credit Transfer Information
SKEMA Business School awards credits based on the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) system. CEA CAPA credit hour recommendations are based on the following conversion: 2 ECTS credits equals 1 U.S. semester credit. Credit transfer is ultimately determined by your home university. Please consult with an academic advisor at your home university on credit pre-approval guidelines.
Transcript Information
Students receive a transcript from SKEMA Business School upon successful completion of the program. The transcript reflects ECTS credits.
Accreditation
SKEMA (School of Knowledge and Management) is a private university accredited by EQUIS, European Quality Improvement System, the leading international system of quality assessment, improvement, and accreditation of higher education institutions in management and business administration. SKEMA is also part of France’s Grande Ecole system and is recognized by the French Ministry of Education and the French Riviera Chamber of Commerce. SKEMA is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), joining a small circle of international schools with double accreditation. AACSB accreditation evaluates the excellence of an institution, and in particular the academic level of its faculty, the quality of its programs, the relevance of its strategy and the means to implement it.
Grading
Grade conversions from CEA CAPA partner institutions abroad to a US grading scale are determined in consultation with our School of Record and benchmarked with other peer institutions in the field.
Please note that CEA CAPA can only recommend grade conversions to students’ home institutions—it is ultimately at the discretion of the home institution to convert grades from abroad to students’ academic records.
For further information or details about grade conversion for a particular host institution, please reach out to our Registrar at registrar@ceacapa.com.
Classroom and Information
French and international faculty teach your core, elective and language courses.
You will attend class with French and international students from around the world.
Be prepared to adapt to different classroom structures and coursework expectations. Periodic examinations, homework assignments and final exams will be administered.
Grades are typically based on two mid-terms and a final exam. Some courses also require completion of presentations or group projects.
Expect direct honesty in grading, with no grade inflation. No extra assignments are given to improve grades.
Little homework or assignments are given, students are expected to absorb and study materials continually without being prompted. Cramming does not work.
Attendance in classes is mandatory and will be monitored by each professor.
A 3 credit course typically takes place once a week in one 3 hour session with a break of 15 minutes after 1.5 hours. 4 credit courses might be split into a 3 hour and a 1.5 hour session over two days.
Class rescheduling happens frequently in France and cancelled courses are rescheduled.
As full time student you are expected to be available from Monday to Friday. Students check their online class schedules on a daily basis.
Midterms, finals and rescheduled classes will often take place on different days from the normal schedule
Class size ranges from 5 to 45 students (the latter often in a lecture hall).
Amenities
Student Offices
Clubs & Organizations
Student Center
Student Lounge
Study Room
University Library
Computers
Printing Facilities
Student ID
Multi-Media
Internet Access & Wi-Fi
Career Services
Academic Advising
Tutoring
Language Exchange with Local Students
Fitness Facilities
Student Sports Teams
Cultural Engagement
Dining Facilities
Centre International d’Antibes
Founded in 1985, the Centre International d'Antibes (CIA) welcomes more than 5,000 students every year for French instruction at all levels, from beginning to advanced. CIA is a recipient of the French Ministry of Education’s "Quality Award for French as a Foreign Language," awarded for the quality of its teaching, facilities, and services. CIA is a preparatory center for the Diplôme d'Etudes en Langue Française (DELF) certificate, an internationally recognized certification administered by the French Ministry of National Education.
The CIA is located in "Le Château", a Provençal mansion surrounded by flowered gardens and palm trees near Antibes Old Town and beaches. Enjoy panoramic views of Nice, Monaco, and the Italian Riviera from school’s patio. CIA offers 17 classrooms, including four outdoor classrooms, with well-equipped facilities and up-to-date audiovisual equipment.
Credit Transfer Information
The Centre International d'Antibesawards credits based on the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) system. CEA CAPA credit hour recommendations are based on the following conversion: 2 ECTS credits equals 1 U.S. semester credit. Credit transfer is ultimately determined by your home university. Please consult with an academic advisor at your home university on credit pre-approval guidelines.
Transcript Information
Students receive a transcript from the Centre International d'Antibes upon successful completion of the program. The transcript reflects contact hours and ECTS credits.
Accreditation
The Centre International d’Antibes (CIA) is a private institution of higher education, fully accredited by the French Ministry of Education.
Grading
Grade conversions from CEA CAPA partner institutions abroad to a US grading scale are determined in consultation with our School of Record and benchmarked with other peer institutions in the field.
Please note that CEA CAPA can only recommend grade conversions to students’ home institutions—it is ultimately at the discretion of the home institution to convert grades from abroad to students’ academic records.
For further information or details about grade conversion for a particular host institution, please reach out to our Registrar at registrar@ceacapa.com.
Classroom and Information
Language and elective courses are taught by international faculty at the Centre International d’Antibes.
Periodic exams, homework assignments, and final exams will be administered.
Attendance of classes is mandatory and monitored by each professor.
Class size ranges from eight to 12 students, allowing for personalized attention.
You’ll take classes with other international students of equivalent language level, not with French students.
The French style of teaching differs from that in the U.S. Be prepared to adapt to different classroom structures and coursework expectations.
Amenities
Student Offices
Clubs & Organizations
Study Area
CEA CAPA Academic Resources
Internet Access & Wi-Fi
Language Learning Services
Excursions
Get out and explore! Excursions are offered for most semester, year, and summer programs. Semester students are typically offered between two to three excursions and
summer study students are typically offered between one to two excursions. You'll receive a calendar of excursions during orientation; here are a few day and overnight
excursions we've offered in the past.
*Housing options may change and will be confirmed on the housing application form prior to the start of the term. Below are the housing options that have been offered in the past.
All CEA CAPA students studying in the French Riviera have the option of living in apartments while abroad. Generally located in historical Antibes, these apartments cater to the independent, do-it-yourself type students who want to experience La Côte d'Azur just as the locals do. Cook tasty French meals with your roommates in your kitchen, meet your new neighbors – local and international alike – and make your new French apartment a home.
Typical Commute
CEA CAPA Office in the French Riviera: 5-10 minutes by bus & walking
SKEMA: 25-30 minutes by bus
Centre International d’Antibes: 10-15 minutes by bus & walking
Meals Included
N/A
Roommates
1-2 students per room
2-5 students per apartment
Unit Amenities
Shared full kitchen
Shared-single sex or co-ed bathrooms
Partial bed linens included
Internet access
Washer only
Central Heating
Homestay
Available:
Summer
Engage in the French Riviera’s vibrant culture firsthand when you live in a homestay with a French family. For the culture-seeking type whose study abroad goals include improving French language skills and cultural understanding, homestays provide the opportunity to dive headfirst into the daily lives of French Riviera locals. There is a limited number of homestays available, placement in a homestay cannot be guaranteed.
Typical Commute
CEA CAPA Office in the French Riviera: 5-10 minutes by bus & walking
SKEMA: 25-30 minutes by bus
Centre International d’Antibes: 10-15 minutes by bus & walking
Meals Included
Breakfast included daily, dinner included Monday - Friday
Roommates
2 students per room
Unit Amenities
Shared full kitchen
Shared-co-ed bathroom
Bed linens included
Internet access
Washer only
Central Heating
Additional Fees
This housing option carries a supplemental fee which may vary based on housing inclusions (i.e. meals, amenities, etc.) as well as program length. Exact amount will be confirmed on the housing application form.
Summer: $400 - $1,600
Independent Living
While CEA CAPA highly recommends that you choose one of our French Riviera housing options provided, you also have the option to arrange independent housing. If your ideal housing scenario includes living in a particular neighborhood, having specific amenities or living with a specific person as your roommate, then independent housing could be just the ticket for you.
Use the online housing application form to request permission for this option no later than the application closure date. If your request is approved, you will receive a rebate for your housing payment, however CEA CAPA will not provide you with any assistance setting up independent housing. Keep in mind, rebates are not granted to students who move out of their CEA CAPA housing or choose to pursue independent living arrangements after the application closure date.