Forty-five minutes from Geneva, Switzerland, the picturesque city of Annecy, France is a sight to behold. Alec Weinstein, a North Island College (NIC) student, says he knows he’s lucky to be studying in such a beautiful part of the world. “Annecy is a perfect town for outdoor enthusiasts like myself,” says Alec.

He’s in Annecy studying at Université Savoie Mont Blanc (USMB) as part of a double degree program between NIC and USMB. The four-year program invites NIC students to complete a second degree at USMB during their third year of study.

Alec is majoring in Outdoor Sales and Promotion, an international sales program that focuses on outdoor sports. Classes are taught by instructors who are working in industry. “They have amazing experience and offer so much firsthand knowledge,” says Alec.

The second part of the program is a six-month internship with a local-based company. Alec just started an internship with SAOLA Shoes, a sustainable shoe company, where he’s helping to develop their US market for sales.

He says doing the double degree program with USMB was a no-brainer.

“I used to live in Amsterdam before this, and I was born in the Philippines,” says Alec. “I love travelling and experiencing new cultures. I jumped at the chance to study in France once I heard about the opportunity through an instructor at NIC.”

Alec says the program is providing him with the foundation to pursue his dream career in sports sales or digital marketing while living abroad.

“Canada will always be home, but I’m excited to see where my next adventure takes me after graduation,” he concludes.