Set upon the edge of the Mediterranean Sea on the glamorous French Riviera, Nice beckons with its mild climate and clear skies. Whether you’re strolling the narrow streets of Old Town or looking down from Colline du Chateau (Castle Hill) at the sweeping panorama of this breathtaking city, Nice will enchant you.
Enjoy all that Côte d'Azur has to offer while studying topics that are relevant to the Mediterranean coast, such as Sustainability and Immigration, improving your language skills (no experience required), and learning about business with other international students. You will take your language and area studies courses at the IES Abroad Center and have the option of taking 6 credits of business at SKEMA, which is located in Sophia Antipolis and was named one of the best European business schools by the Financial Times.
Nice and the French Riviera will be your classroom. Imagine yourself visiting the Chagall and Matisse museums, enjoying a tasting at a local winery or cheese shop, or visiting Monaco for the day. Whether you’re an advanced French language student or a beginner, this program offers full immersion into the culture of Nice through course-related trips, cultural activities, and conversation clubs.
We want you to feel at home in Nice, so we will do everything we can to help you integrate into life in the region. From housing to cultural events, our job is to make sure you have the most authentic study abroad experience possible.
After you are admitted, refer to the Travel Dates section of the Predeparture Information in your MyIESabroad account before booking travel.
*The SKEMA final exam period will end by December 21, which means that students may finish their exams before this date. The schedule for final exams or coursework deadlines may not be available until students are on-site. All students must also depart IES Abroad housing the day after their last final exam. For these reasons, it is recommended that students purchase airline tickets with open-ended or flexible return date policies.
*The SKEMA final exam period will end by April 29, which means that students may finish their exams before this date. The schedule for final exams or coursework deadlines may not be available until students are on-site.
Our mission is simple: to provide you with the highest quality academics and cultural experience abroad possible.
We offer unique courses that explore sustainability, immigration, history and politics of the region, French language, and more through an in-depth and hands-on approach. Our professors from the Grandes Écoles (French elite schools) and course options at SKEMA enhance your academic experience and provide you with new perspectives each day in class.
While in Nice, you take 15-19 credits per semester; all courses are worth 3 credits unless otherwise specified.
Create your own academic experience by selecting from the following required and optional components:
This is a list of planned course offerings. A final list of course offerings will be made available to you in your MyIESabroad account.
To learn more about IES Abroad’s innovative theoretical and pedagogical approaches to teaching language abroad, refer to the IES Abroad MAP for Language & Intercultural Communication.
SKEMA Business School Located in Sophia Antipolis, SKEMA (School of Knowledge Economy and Management) Business School is a global business and research school for students interested in entrepreneurship and innovation, business, and STEM programs. SKEMA is comprised of three knowledge economy themes: internationalization, sustainable performance, and entrepreneurship and innovation.
SKEMA is home to approximately 6,700 students every year, 35% of whom are international—more than 100 nationalities are represented on SKEMA’s campus.
With high Financial Times rankings (6th in MSc Financial Markets & Investments and 25th in Master of Management worldwide), AACSB and EQUIS accreditation, SKEMA gives international students the tools they need to be current in the competitive global market.
Courses You must take a minimum of 6 credits at SKEMA. Classes range from 1-4 credits, with most courses being 3 credits each.
CLICK here for a list of the current SKEMA course offerings for SPRING 2018.
CLICK here for a list of SKEMA course descriptions.
Course-related trips are organized as an integral part of the IES Abroad courses and contribute to a general knowledge of French culture and society. Participation is based on course registration. Students not enrolled in these classes may participate, on a space available basis, for an additional fee. Possible course-related trips are listed below:
Marseille In France’s second largest city and the biggest Mediterranean port, you will study the immigrant experience in France as well as the maritime heritage of this city in the vibrant Vieux Port (Old Port).
Sospel Visit the historic village of Sospel, tucked away in the mountains along the French-Italian border. Students harvest local olive crops, which are sent to the mill to create oil.
We want to make sure that your greatest challenge is deciding which landmarks to see first or discovering the best café—not finding a place to live where you feel comfortable. We do our best to locate housing that is reflective of how the local students are living. Our goal is that when you leave Nice, it will feel like home.
Homestays - Stay in a French home in Nice or its surroundings. You are provided breakfast daily and four evening meals a week.
Apartments - A limited number of placements in apartments are available throughout the city. The fully-equipped apartment houses other IES Abroad students. Washing machines are available in or near the building. No meals are provided in this housing option.
Part of making you feel at home in Nice is doing our best to help you feel safe and cared for. Whether it’s the orientation program that prepares you for what’s ahead, your housing that is well-located and comfortable, or the field trips that take you to places off the beaten path—we’re all about our student services. This is just one of the things we’re known for.
IES Abroad Orientation The program begins with a three-day orientation that introduces you to the IES Abroad Nice staff, your fellow students, and the city and culture of Nice. The orientation covers important topics such as academics, housing, transportation, and health and safety.
CORE™, IES Abroad’s Comprehensive Orientation & Re-entry Experience, begins during orientation and continues throughout the semester with activities focusing on cultural adjustment, goal achievement, and preparing for the return home.
University Orientation You will also tour the SKEMA campus so that you can become acquainted with the school, its options and services, should you decide to ake a portion of your courses at SKEMA.
Redefine the way you live and learn in Nice through our cultural events, such as:
Even though your adventure starts in Nice, our field trips and course-related excursions take you beyond the city to discover the culture and traditions of your host country and beyond. These trips are partially subsidized by IES Abroad. Destinations in the past have included:
Coeur Riviera1 Day | Fall & SpringExplore the French Riviera between Nice and the Italian border, including forts, perched villages and seaside resort towns.
Italian Border Towns1 Day | Fall & SpringVisit a few off-the-beaten path Italian medieval villages, including Bussana Vecchia, Rocchetta Nervina and Dolceacqua.
Note: IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities, and lengths of stay may vary according to term and availability.
About the Center
The IES Abroad Center is strategically located in the heart of Nice and near public transportation. Features include:
Maria Stallone has been working in study abroad for more than 16 years and has been the Center Director in Nice since 2015. Maria's formative years were international, with her family living and traveling between the United States and Europe. She first traveled to Asia in 1993 with the prestigious Rotary Foundation Fellowship. She completed her graduate work, achieving an award of Merit, at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London. Her other academic distinctions include a diploma in Indian Classical Music and Hindi from Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi and, most recently, graduate work in Thai Studies at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok. Previously, she was the Center Director of our Delhi Center for four years. Maria speaks five languages and has been the recipient of several grants and scholarships promoting her interests and research.
IES Abroad Staff Natasha AzarianStudent Affairs Coordinator
Vertical Tabs