Will be Offered Again in 2024!
Scholarships & Funding
Program Brochure
Contact the Program Director
Dr. Mary Aldridge
English Department
P: 480-461-7361
Office: LA3 - 13
mary.aldridge@mesacc.edu
The Nice and French Riviera (Cote d’Azur) program visits one of the most beautiful parts of the world in order to learn more about the history, language, culture, and marine habitats of this area that is bordered by the crystal blue waters of the Mediterranean and the grandeur of the French Alps.
The program’s home is Nice, the 5th largest city in France, and classes are held in a school in the Liberation-Borriglione quarter of the city, where participants can enjoy the Mediterranean sun between classes in the school’s garden. Nice is home to the famous Promenade des Anglais, which runs along its famous pebbled beach as well as several open-air markets and unique buildings. The location also offers easy access to other cities such as Cannes, Monaco, and St. Tropez.
Participants spend three weeks exploring the rich heritage of one of the world’s most beautiful and diverse areas with excursions to Antibes, St. Jean Cap Ferrat, Cagnes sur Mer, Monaco/Monte Carlo, and Beaulieu sur Mer. These excursions will offer participants the opportunity to visit historic sites, to go kayaking, scuba diving, snorkeling, and whale watching. Students will also visit sites in Nice such as Villa Massena, Museé Marc Chagall, Musée Matisse, Musee Archeologique, and Vieille Ville (Old Town).
Because the course focuses on the humanities and on marine biology, no knowledge of French is necessary. However, students will benefit from some short French lessons, taught by native speakers, that will help them converse in everyday situations in shops, restaurants, markets, and train stations.
View 2022 France Marine Biology blog!
Courses Offered (4 credit program)
- HUM107: Humanities Through the Arts (3 cr), [HU]
- Instructor: Dr. Mary Aldridge
- BIO149SV: Field Biology: Ecological and Environmental Field Experience (1cr)
- Instructor: Dr. Alex Cheroske
- Online coursework required from: TBA, prior to departure.
- Mandatory study abroad orientation on Saturday, April TBA from 9 am - 2 pm at MCC.
Program Excursions
- Guided tour of Nice
- Excursion to Beaulieu sur Mer (Tempe Sister City)
- Excursion to Antibes including kayaking in Cap d' Antibes
- Excursion to Monaco and Musee Oceanographique
- Visits to Nice Museums: Musée Masséna, Musée Marc Chagall, Musée des Beaux-Arts de Nice
- Excursion to Villa Euphrussi de Rothschild
- Walking tour of Cagnes-sur-Mer estuary
- Whale watching and scuba/snorkeling near Villefranche-sur-Mer
In addition to our planned excursions, participants may also take part in optional activities such as excursions to Cannes, Corsica, and Italy.
-
Nice Program Details
-
- Benefit from a French language immersion experience while studying the culture of Nice and the French Riviera. No previous French language skills are required!
- Homestays are provided with local families that include daily breakfast and dinner.
Did You Know?
- Under the monarchy, the heir to the French throne was called le dauphin (the dolphin), in reference to his coat of arms.
- Pets are very important in French culture, and pet dogs are allowed in public places like airports, malls, and many restaurants.
- France attracts more tourists than any other country in the world.
- The French population tends to resist foreign fast food because of concerns about genetically modified foods and globalization, which is seen as a threat to France's small farmers.
- The currency used is the Euro (sign: €; code: EUR).
- Read more detailed cultural information on France provided by CultureGrams™.
France (2022). CultureGrams Online Edition. ProQuest. - Diversity Abroad France Destination Guide
-
Estimated Program Costs & Deadlines
-
Expense Type Estimated Cost Deadline Program Fee
Includes homestay lodging, academic facilities, cultural excursions, in-country ground transportation, daily breakfast and dinner while living with your host family, and secondary medical insurance.$TBA - Program Fee Due: TBA in Spring 2024
- $250 Confirmation Deposit Due (towards total program fee): upon acceptance to program
- Confirmation deposit is non-refundable after the program fee payment deadline.
Registration Fee
Tuition:
In-state: $85 per credit hour
Out-of-state: $205 per credit hour$15
$340
- Registration for Summer term begins in March.
- Tuition due dates: https://www.mesacc.edu/cashier-services/payment-options/payment-plan-schedules-due-dates
- For payment options: www.mesacc.edu/cashier-services/payment-options If not a current MCC student, you must admit yourself to MCC, prior to registering for courses.
- For payment assistance, call 480.461.7400 or contact Cashier Services.
Airfare (estimated cost) $1,850 Your program director will provide you with instructions on purchasing airfare for your program. Only after you have received these instructions should you purchase airfare.
Meals
Breakfast and dinners are included while living with your host family. Lunches are not included.
$300 Not needed until you land in France! TOTAL Estimated Costs $TBA ADDITIONAL COSTS Possbile PCR Test to re-enter the U.S. $ Subject to change
Insurance for Participants 60+ Years of Age $3.56 per day The program fee includes secondary insurance for participants ages 18-59. There is an additional insurance charge for students 60 years and over. Textbooks
No textbook required$0 Passport Passport Info Here
Your passport must be valid at least 6 months beyond the date of your return to the USA.$ 165/130 (new/renewal) Be sure to allow at least 14-18 weeks of processing time for first time applicants and renewals.
Visit the U.S. Department of State website for current fees and processing times.Program Application Deadline
Space is limited.
Apply early to reserve your place!- Application Deadline: Closed
- Complete online application.
- Late applications will be accepted on a case-by-case basis.
- Applications are reviewed & approved on a rolling basis.
-
Scholarships and Funding Your Program
-
Title Date(s) More Information A New Leaf Assets to Opportunity (ATO)
A match savings program designed to help individuals save their own money in a special savings account and have their money matched for tuition, textbooks, and some study abroad program expenses with an 8:1 match.
Deadline:
October 31, 2022
Eligibility:
- Must have earned income
- Be a resident of Arizona
- Income must be at or below 200% of federal poverty line
- Commit to saving $500 and saving for at least 3 months
- Commit to making $30 deposits twice per month
- Complete a financial wellness workshop and any other program requirements
- Contact: ATO@turnanewleaf.org
International Education
Scholarship1 application for 2 scholarships!
IE Study Abroad Scholarship
- Does NOT require FAFSA
- If you are receiving financial aid from another MCCCD college, please share your FAFSA with MCC (school code 001077) two weeks prior to scholarship deadline.
- Award Range: $250-$900
Maricopa Grant
- Requires 2021-22 FAFSA
- Maximum Award: Tuition for classes
- England/France/Scotland program excluded
Deadline: TBA
Get information on financial aid & grants, scholarships, and misc. resources for study abroad here.
PRIOR to applying for a scholarship, student must:
- Be accepted into the program you are applying for a scholarship to
- Pay the program deposit of $250 online, at Cashier Services, or by calling 480.461.7400.
MCC Honors Program Scholarship
Maximum Award: $500
Deadline:
TBA
If you are a current MCC Honors Program student in good standing, you can apply for up to a $500 study abroad scholarship!
Title Date(s) More Information 
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
Students apply through the college they are receiving financial aid from.
March Application Deadline
1st Tues. of March (awards announced by May)March 7, 2023
11:59 PM PSTOctober Application Deadline
1st Tues. of October (awards announced by December)October 3, 2023
11:59 PM PSTMaximum Award: $5,000
- Must be a Pell Grant recipient. Students apply indicating the school they are receiving their Pell Grant funding from. If you are not a receiving Pell Grant funding through MCC, you must apply for the Gilman through the school that you are receiving financial aid from.
- Applications are reviewed holistically, with consideration of the following selection criteria. View Gilman Presentation here!
- Review Gilman Essays Writing Tips.
- Review writing resources for ideas on crafting your Statement of Purpose:
- Loyola University Chicago - Writing Personal Statements
- Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL)
- University of Connecticut Writing Center - Personal Statements
- YouTube videos on How to Write a Personal Statement
- Bring your draft to the Writing Center and get feedback on how to polish your "diamond in the rough"!
- For application instructions, review this walkthrough video.
- Watch videos of Gilman scholars abroad, alumni interviews, and tips from advisors and application reviewers on YouTube.
- Note for Gilman application: For Program Administrator, select Mesa Community College
October Application Deadline
Tues. of October (awards announced by December)October 2022 deadline passed
11:59 PM PSTMarch Application Deadline
1st Tues. of March (awards announced by May)March 7, 2023
11:59 PM PSTMaximum Award: $5,000
- Must be a child dependent of an active/activated US military personnel during time of application.
- Must be a Title IV federal financial aid recipient. Title IV funds include:
- Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans
- Direct PLUS Loans
- Federal Pell Grants
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOGs)
- Federal Perkins Loans
- Use the same Gilman application system as other Gilman Scholarship applicants. Applicants will simply confirm that they are child dependent of an active duty military member of the U.S. Armed Forces (Air Force, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, Coast Guard, Coast Guard Reserve, Marine Corps, Marine Corps Reserve, Navy, Navy Reserve, Space Force, NOAA Commissioned Corps, and USPHS Commissioned Corps).
- If a student is receiving a Federal Pell Grant and is also a child dependent of an active duty military member, then the student is eligible for both Gilman scholarships and will automatically be considered for both but eligible to receive only one. If they are selected for the Gilman-McCain Scholarship, then they will no longer be considered for the Gilman Scholarship.
-
Information Sessions & Mandatory Orientation
-
