Spend a transformative semester in Cannes, one of France's most iconic Mediterranean destinations, where you'll immerse yourself in French language and culture while gaining hands-on experience at the world-renowned Cannes Film Festival. Based at the Collège International de Cannes—a private institution founded in 1931 and situated on spacious grounds overlooking the Mediterranean Sea—you'll study within walking distance of the Old Port and vibrant city center, combining rigorous academics with authentic cultural exploration.

Your academic experience centers on intensive French language study, meeting 15 hours per week at a level matched to your proficiency through an online placement test. You can earn 6 credits (Spring Semester) or 9 credits (Fall Semester and Extended Spring Semester) for language coursework, plus up to three additional seminars on French culture and civilization taught in both English and French. This flexibility allows you to tailor your studies to your interests while strengthening your language skills from beginner to advanced levels. Students aiming to take seminars in French must reach Intermediate French level (B1.1) or higher.

The Extended Spring Semester option offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: working as an unpaid volunteer during the Cannes Film Festival in May. Past internships have placed students with U.S. production companies, international film sales firms providing administrative and marketing support, and film screening hosts. Some students have even walked the famous red carpet. This experience is ideal if you're exploring careers in communications, public relations, film production, or the arts.

Your time in Cannes extends well beyond the classroom. The program includes a 4-day excursion to Paris, a 2-day trip to Provence, and day trips to Monaco, Nice, Antibes, Grasse, and Île Sainte-Marguerite. Optional excursions to Florence (3 days, Spring only) are also available. You'll participate in weekly cultural activities curated by AIFS Abroad staff—from wine and cheese tastings and grape picking to museum visits celebrating artists like Monet, Van Gogh, and Picasso who found inspiration on the Riviera. The region's mild Mediterranean climate invites outdoor activities including swimming, sailing, and spring skiing.

Housing options accommodate different preferences: live in a campus residence with French and international students (with meal plans included), choose independent living in a centrally located student residence with your own kitchen and amenities like a pool and garden, or immerse yourself fully in a carefully vetted French homestay where daily breakfast and cultural exchange deepen your language acquisition. All housing includes internet access. Additional support services include 24/7 emergency support, comprehensive health insurance, a dedicated program director, access to professional development assessments like Clifton StrengthsFinder, and pre-departure and upon-return services to maximize your abroad experience.

This program is open to first-year through senior undergraduates with a minimum 2.5 GPA. Whether you're seeking to jumpstart your French skills, explore your creative interests in film and media, or simply experience life as a student on the French Riviera, you'll return home with language proficiency, professional connections, and memories of one of Europe's most beautiful regions.