Fulfilling a Dream 

Living in a landlocked small town in Indiana, whenever my family took trips to anywhere with an ocean, it truly felt like a second home. During my childhood, it quickly became something I was fascinated by, and I did everything in my power to learn all that I could about it. It was always a dream of mine to live somewhere near the water, and when it came time to look for great locations to study abroad, I knew I wanted to find a place that could fulfill my lifelong dream of living by the sea. 

This, along with many other factors, led me to study in the French Riviera, where I have been able to experience not only living near the sea but also learning more about the effects it has on the community. I even took an Oceanography class through my school to learn as much as I could about something I care so deeply about. 

The beautiful shallow blue waters of Antibes. 

Connecting With the Sea 

Being able to live out my lifelong dream of living near the sea while studying abroad in the French Riviera has allowed me to be more present with nature. Spending time near the sea has become my “fix-all” solution for every situation and mood I have found myself in here. After every good day, I know I can go and sit by the water to reflect on everything that went right, and after a rough day, I know that allowing myself to drift away in the sound of the waves crashing into the rocks will put everything into perspective and help me reset for the next day. 

While being present near the sea, I have realized that reconnecting with nature is something I should incorporate into everyday life at home. My housing provided by CEA CAPA is in an ideal location where I can reach the water with a very short two-minute walk. I take advantage of this all the time and often meet fellow CEA CAPA students at a certain spot we’ve collectively decided is the perfect place to “ponder” and spend time together. Overall, I have fully embraced the beautiful sea that the French Riviera has to offer, and it will undoubtedly be one of the most memorable parts of my experience. 

The port where hundreds of boats come to rest is beautiful at sunset. 

The Influence of the Sea on Culture 

Even though I knew that living near the sea would add immense value to my time here, I didn’t realize just how much being near the sea actually contributes to many key aspects of life and culture in the French Riviera. Many people’s livelihoods are tied to the sea, through professions like fishing or yachting. Antibes, where I am living, has a huge port that is renowned as an amazing spot for sailboats and yachts to dock while exploring the city. Many streets around me have their own fisheries, and there is even a fishery at the entrance of the port offering the freshest catch. 

During the warmer months, I met so many people from different parts of the world who came to Antibes to work on yachts. Even now, during the cooler months, you can always find deckhands bustling around the port, making sure their boats are properly tended to. It has been fascinating to see so many professions that would never be viable in Indiana thrive in a place like Antibes on the Mediterranean. 

The mixture of mountains and sea makes for a breathtaking view! 

Oceanography Class 

Although I once thought I was an expert on everything about the sea and oceans, I have realized since being here that there is still so much to learn. One of the class offerings at my school this semester was Oceanography, and I knew it would be the perfect opportunity to pair firsthand experience of living near the sea with concrete knowledge I would gain in class. My professor in this class is an extremely knowledgeable marine biologist who specializes in the Mediterranean Sea. Through this class, I’ve been able to apply what I’m learning in the classroom to the things I see in nature. 

Spending time reading on the local beach is my favorite way to unwind. 

I was excited to see these guys after learning about sea birds in my Oceanography class!