When I think about my semester abroad in Antibes, France, I think about the daily life I built there. My apartment was nestled right next to the yacht harbor, and walking around town became one of my favorite parts of the experience. I loved traveling and seeing new places, but being able to call Antibes home made the semester so special. The everyday routines gave me a sense of independence that I brought home with me.
Coming from California, being able to walk everywhere was a culture shock in the best way. I found myself walking around 20,000 steps a day without even noticing. Walking to the store to get groceries became something I actually looked forward to. It was such a simple activity, but I loved being able to step outside and get where I needed to go on foot. I also felt comfortable walking around on my own at night, which added to my personal sense of freedom there.
Even getting dressed was part of the fun. I loved being able to wear trench coats and boots every day. There was something special about getting ready, leaving my apartment by the harbor, and walking through a town that had once felt completely unfamiliar. Over time, those walks became part of my routine. Antibes started to feel like a place where I had my own life, with friends, classes, errands, and favorite ways to spend my time.
The friendships I made were one of the most meaningful parts of the semester. Through CEA, I found an amazing group of friends from across the United States. We came from different places, but we were all figuring out life abroad together. Sharing that experience made our friendships feel especially close. There is something unique about meeting people at a time when everyone is adjusting to a new environment and is open to new experiences. We still keep in touch, and I am so grateful that studying abroad brought us together.
My classes at SKEMA Business School also gave me the opportunity to build friendships with people from other countries. I became close with students from France, Canada, Iran, and Armenia. I loved having conversations about our lives and discovering both the similarities and differences between our experiences. Getting to know someone personally gives you a different perspective than simply learning about a country. Those conversations were a memorable part of my education abroad, and I appreciated being in a classroom where so many backgrounds were represented.
I also really enjoyed the structure of my courses. There was a lot of group work and a lot of presentations, which gave me regular opportunities to practice public speaking. As I gave more presentations, I could feel my confidence increasing. Speaking in front of a class became more familiar, and I felt more comfortable sharing my ideas. Working with classmates from different backgrounds made the group projects especially interesting. I left the semester feeling that my public speaking had genuinely improved, which is something I know I will continue to use.
Because I only had classes two days a week, I tried to travel as much as possible while still making time to enjoy Antibes. One of my favorite parts of traveling was taking the train. I would put in my AirPods, listen to music, and watch the ocean or countryside go by. I loved those moments of simply being on the way somewhere. Taking public transportation became a big part of my experience, both in my daily life and when exploring other places. It helped me feel increasingly comfortable finding my way around.
Before going abroad, I could not have pictured how confident I would become navigating unfamiliar places. I did not speak any French, but I made it work and learned how to get around. That does not mean I suddenly knew everything. It means I learned that I could figure things out as I went. Every time I successfully used public transportation or found my way through a new place, I had another reason to trust myself. Being able to travel around Europe and enjoy the experience gave me a much stronger sense of what I was capable of doing.
My biggest advice to another student considering studying abroad is to give yourself time to enjoy the place you choose to live. Travel was an incredible part of my semester, but so were grocery trips, walks around Antibes, and conversations with new friends. Those moments made my experience feel personal. I came home with friendships I still value, more confidence in the classroom, and a greater willingness to try unfamiliar things. Most of all, I learned to trust that I could find my way. That feeling is one of the most valuable things I brought back from France.
Lily Flagg
Business Administration
Spring 2026 | Antibes, France
CEA Study Abroad at SKEMA Business School
