IES Abroad Nice

I studied abroad with IES Nice in the fall of 2021 after the spring program was canceled because of COVID, and I am so glad that I went during the fall. The sunny weather and laidback Nicoise attitude make the experience feel like a 4-month vacation, especially in early fall.

The classes were moderately difficult, especially if you take a few at SKEMA Business School, but none were too hard. The IES classes are located in the city center, and SKEMA is about a 45 min bus ride away in Sophia Antipolis—a bit of a trek but it's hard to complain when you get to ride along the Mediterranean Sea during your commute.

Nice is a train away from Italy (you can go for dinner and be back by 11 pm), so the cuisine and architecture are beautifully Italian-influenced. Traveling to other European countries is easy since the tram leads directly to Nice's own airport, so no need for an expensive Uber ride. As for housing, IES found me a top-floor apartment with a terrace, a 25 min walk from the beach.

The staff is very helpful as well! When I got sick and let the program director know, she quickly dropped off a COVID test at my apartment and the student affairs coordinator helped me schedule a doctor's visit with an English-speaking doctor. The student affairs coordinator also plans the excursions such as visiting local historical villages with a tour guide, meeting with French students our age, and attending a cooking class to learn how to make Nicoise dishes.

My advice: go on as many excursions as possible and practice your French with locals! :) It's easy to stick with the Americans in your group, but Nice is a very international city so don't be afraid to meet new people.

Since I was younger, I have always wanted to study abroad in France (although originally I was thinking Paris). When I found out that my undergrad business program held a program on the French Riviera, there was no way I could go anywhere else. When I got there, I was greeted by the wonderful staff and they made me feel so comfortable and supported. Luckily, even though I signed up for random roommates, I became best friends with the people that I lived with and we had an amazing apartment that was only a 10 minute walk from the beach!

The program's planned trips were so much fun as we were able to get to know people from all over the US, and we ended up getting so close that we travelled separately from the program as well! Nice is such a central location that it is so easy to get anywhere by train or plane. Even with a somewhat low budget, I was still able to do everything I wanted to while being there!

My advice is study in Nice and take every opportunity to participate in the community while you are there. I promise you won't regret it!

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

This experience was very amazing to say the least. Starting off with IES program, they were really efficient in everything. At the beginning of the program they showed us around the city and this tour was well detailed. Also, they hosted numerous activities so that we could interact with the French locals. Some of these activities included games night, movie night and playing pétanque. In addition, we had food tours and at one instance we went to the fragonard factory to make perfume. I know super right! Skema business school was also great, the only thing that threw me off was the fact that the classes were three hours long nd that wasn’t something I was used to. Also they would have classes on a Saturday in some instances. Lastly, transportation is very accessible so saving on Uber is always a win.

My experience on this trip was amazing. It was my first time being abroad without my parents and for longer than a few weeks. I was able to be completely independent and experience life in a different country. Because of this I gained a lot of self confidence in my ability to handle situations, like traveling, which would have been difficult for me before. My favorite experience during my trip was in Morocco on our last night there. My host family let me and my roommate try on traditional Moroccan dresses and we had a mini photoshoot. This experience made me genuinely feel like I was part of the family. Since being home in Virginia, I miss Nice and all of the people I met, places I visited, and experiences I had while abroad.

Studying in Nice was one of the most amazing experiences of my life! I've known that I wanted to study abroad my whole life, and finding this program through IES was perfect! They made everything so easy for me, it was very low stress preparing to pack up and move to France for four months! Shocking, I know! Nice is one of the most beautiful cities in France, with the beautiful sea and beaches, Veux Nice and the markets and all of the colorful buildings that surround you wherever you go. I've never lived in a city, and while I typically don't consider myself a city girl, Nice was the perfect little city for me to explore. There was always something new to see (and eat) and it was incredible to live a life that was so different from my life back in the States. One of my favorite things I did was attend Carnaval, the huge, over the top parade the city puts on each year. It was nothing like I've ever seen before, and I don't think any other parade I attend will ever live up to it. If you are deciding to go to Nice (which I think everyone should) make sure to pack an umbrella/raincoat and you MUST go to LAC, the most amazing chocolatier in Nice. I have become so much more independent and confident because of studying abroad, and I have been changed for the better from all of my experiences and travels. For anyone contemplating studying abroad: go for it. When else in your life are you going to have the chance to live in another country without having to worry about finding a job, paying bills, dealing with more intense visa processes, the list goes on and on. You won't regret it, I promise!

My time in Nice will forever have an impact on my life, partly shaped by IES as a program. They provided us with an orientation and resources to help us acclimate to a new situation and made sure that I was thoroughly settled in my host family and host university. During the semester they provided field trips to incredible locations I would not otherwise have gotten to visit. Our weekend trip to Corsica was one of the highlights of my semester.

Anytime I had a question about where to find the best crepes or ice cream, the center staff had the answer. When the university didn't supply the community or dance technique experience that I wanted I turned to the IES staff. They were immediately able to help me find a studio that fit my needs and open a line of communication with them.

I struggled to find my footing alone in a new culture but the IES staff was incredibly helpful and supportive whether that meant reassuring me that the experience I was having was perfectly normal or bringing me to get coffee when it was clear that what I really needed was a warm drink and a hug.

The classes I took through IES were great as well. My French class was shaped to fit us as students and accommodate our specific levels so that everyone could progress no matter where we started.

I struggled to find my footing alone in a new culture but the IES staff was incredibly helpful and supportive whether that meant reassuring me that the experience I was having was perfectly normal or bringing me to get coffee when it was clear that what I really needed was a warm drink and a hug.

I would absolutely recommend IES Nice to anyone looking for a supportive environment full of sun, ice cream and French.
I would absolutely recommend IES Nice to anyone looking for a supportive environment full of sun, ice cream and French.

Being a student in Nice is adventure, excitement, and delight. The memories of Nice are endless, all the way from the iconic coastline to the colorful historic buildings to the panoramic views. The IES directors and coordinators care deeply about the progress of students during their time abroad, and are always available to help in any way. The academics are excellent, with devoted and knowledgeable professors with a lot of experience in their subject fields, ranging from French politics all the way to French cinema. IES has a solid reputation for its academics, so credits should be easily transferred to college transcripts. The program has a couple of housing options. The home-stay options allows the opportunity to really get immersed in the French culture and way of life, and guarantees constant practice of the French language. The program organizes various trips throughout the semester, including many cities along the French Riviera, as well as farther-away places like Corsica and cities in Italy. Traveling to and from Nice is easy, with transportation methods being very efficient and conveniently located at walking distance from the city center. There is always something to do in Nice during the weekends. One can easily find a private beach a train ride away from Nice during the morning, and by the afternoon take a bus to the mountains an hour away for some skiing. Also, visiting renown cities like Monaco and Cannes takes only a very short train ride. The Mediterranean food is delicious, and the weather is always warm and pleasant. With a large amount of students in the city, it is very easy to make new friends, many of whom remain for lifetime.