4.5 million higher education students participate in a study abroad program every year. That number has been steadily increasing over the past few years and France has been amongst the top three countries welcoming students coming from all over the world.
Studying abroad at the International Center of European Football will kickstart your growth into a mature, confident and successful individual.
Here are the top reasons why ICEF is the ultimate life changing experience for football players:
Safe campus and environment
More than ever, safety is a concern for all students and their families. At ICEF, student-athletes live, play, and study in a safe environment. France entered phase-3 of reopening in June and visa processing has resumed, enabling ICEF to welcome international students to its campus in Europe. The Greater Geneva area, where the center is located, benefits from being one of Europe’s low-risk areas, with a low population density. Switzerland and the Evian-les-Bains region are amongst the safest and healthiest in Europe. In addition, ICEF’s team has elevated and reinforced their standards to provide an even safer campus to all student-athletes for the peace of mind of their families.
Cultural and overall growth
Student-athletes expand their worldview, being exposed to new cultures, traditions, and languages. Living in a foreign country opens your mind to new perspectives and lifestyles in a unique way. Values mature and individuals become more well-rounded and better global citizens, which is a crucial part of living in today’s or tomorrow’s global society.
The Excellence of UEFA / FFF certified staff and methodology
The programs at the International Center of European Football were developed by UEFA/ FFF technical directors and Europe’s highest-ranked youth development experts. ICEF’s programs implement the best-in-class UEFA methodologies to build smart players capable of excelling in all game situations at the highest level of football in the world.
Unique exposure to pro D1 and D2 European clubs
ICEF’s technical directors carefully build competition programs with highly regarded professional D1 and D2 partner clubs, allowing players to participate in at least 25 competitive games and 3 European football tournaments, with unique exposure opportunities for players. The most advanced players enrolled in the 10-month Pro Residency program are selected to join ICEF’s club, Thonon Evian Grand Geneve FC, competing at the French national level in official leagues established by the French Federation of Football.
Authentic football culture
With over two hundred years of play and evolution leading to an expertise in player development, the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) boasts the best methodology and the highest-ranked technical staff in the amateur and professional leagues. Yet, what truly makes the football education in Europe different is the passion and the culture of football that most professionals and amateurs have developed. In France, football is everywhere on TV, in the news. People watch it at home with their families or go to stadiums, and they develop an extraordinary analysis and understanding of the game, simply by watching a multitude of games and following numerous European leagues.
French language proficiency
In general, student-athletes in an international boarding program improve their communications skills to be able to get along with everyone and to live in a community. Even if English is the main language spoken amongst students, they live in a French environment and receive French classes at school. Immersion in this environment and the classes lead them to become proficient quickly, for most of them, to be able to communicate in French with the staff on-site and their friends at school. Learning another language is challenging, and very gratifying.This is an added value that will be beneficial to all students during their entire lives.
Comprehensive academic education in English
The International Center of European Football boasts of a very comprehensive academic program through our partner Webster University Geneva, with a myriad of options from Middle School through a Master’s degree.
Discover the Academic programs offered in the 10-month Pro Residency Program
Friendships for life
Going through an experience as impactful as studying abroad means that you grow very close to your fellow teammates who are developing and learning along with you. People tend to find that the friends they make while studying abroad remain some of their closest lifelong friends. The International Center of European Football organizes weekly events, team building events, and extracurricular activities such as field trips, excursions, and sightseeing, so that players can also spend quality time with new friends and create team spirit.
