From Tyrol to the Côte d'Azur – Emily and Lisa's Story

For their mandatory year abroad in the International Business Studies bachelor's program (now: International Business Management) at Kufstein University (HOK), Emily and Lisa moved to Nice to study at partner institution IPAG Business School. Sun and sea—the ideal conditions for an exciting year abroad were already in place. Building international connections, gaining academic insights, advancing their English and French language skills, and proving themselves in a new environment were all at the top of their wish list. Did their experience live up to their expectations?

Studying and Living Between Campus and the Côte d’Azur

Right from the start, the two immersed themselves in everyday French university life: smaller seminar groups, extensive project work, and regular presentations required active participation. They particularly enjoyed the multicultural atmosphere both in their classes and in daily life. Exchanging ideas with fellow students from around the world broadened their horizons and gave them friends for life.

A typical day at the French university usually ran from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., leaving plenty of time in between to enjoy the French flair with friends in the cafeteria or over a game of foosball.

Both lived in furnished apartments with convenient access to the university and downtown—centrally located just a few minutes from campus. This made it easy to balance their academic schedule with life in Nice and explore the city effortlessly.

Highlights Along the Côte d’Azur

Outside of campus, the Côte d’Azur quickly became an integral part of their study abroad experience. After lectures, they headed to the beach or took trips to Monaco, Cannes, Antibes, Èze, and Saint-Tropez. While the Formula 1 weekend in Monaco remained unforgettable for Lisa, Emily especially cherished the international friendships and shared adventures along the coast.

New Routines, New Confidence

"Life there is quite different from Austria, which in my opinion makes it a very valuable experience—there is an incredible amount to discover, and you meet new people from different countries almost every day," Lisa reported.

Over the course of the year, Lisa and Emily became more independent, open-minded, and self-confident. Daily interaction with new people helped both of them approach others more easily and feel more assured in unfamiliar situations.

Back to the initial question: Did the experience meet their expectations? Unquestionably, yes. Both students would definitely recommend a year abroad at IPAG Business School, especially to peers looking to build international networks, grow bilingually, and experience a new culture firsthand. Their top advice: stay open-minded, take care of organizational details early on, and consciously make the most of every opportunity on site. Because a year abroad on the Côte d'Azur flies by—leaving behind experiences that enrich you both professionally and personally.

Links:

• Partner Universities | Internationality
• International Business Management | ft