The best views can be found on the French Coast!
Author: Sophie McAdara | Major: Political Science
No amount of French TV or Spotify podcasts could have prepared me for what it was like to live and speak in another country for a month-complete with a new family to live with, a new town to love, and new friends that shared this journey with me. This program helped me gain confidence in traveling by myself, trying new things, and understanding how I want to live the rest of my life.
I chose to study French in college because I’ve always wanted to study painting in France after my bachelor’s, and while that may not still be my biggest dream, knowing another language at a conversational level is extremely beneficial for a career in my field of political science and policy work. Thus, when I learned about the program French in Perpignan, I knew it would be my chance to get serious about the language I had learned to love already. This program also helped fulfill my language requirements for the honors college early and will allow me to take other classes within my major that interest me or give me the time to add on a minor in French.
French in Perpignan was an exceptional way to see what France is really like and how the regions differ (It’s not all just Paris; however, we did make a stop there too!). I discovered the joys of French mealtimes; for instance, in the mornings, my host mom would greet me with a “coucou,” and we’d discuss our days on the terrace with a café and a fresh croissant or baguette. And for lunch, a jambon sandwich was never far, with dinners finished leisurely at a streetside café.
In our four hours of French class each day, my fellow students and I learned the intricacies of the spoken language, made great strides in our communication skills, and met students from other countries also learning French. Some of it was unexpected, like the Thursday morning classes where we spent hours performing skits all in French. This is very different from my French lessons at the University of Arkansas, but it was a fun and efficient way to increase oral proficiency. After spending a month in 80 hours of class and living with a host family, I can confidently say this program improved my French in no way classes in the US could.
In addition to the French language, we explored French art museums, beach towns, and medieval sites. The Perpignan Art museum had a special exhibit for Paul Gauguin and featured many pieces from Picasso and other artists who drew inspiration from France’s beautiful coastline.
We also had the perfect amount of free time after class and on the weekends to discover more of France, with expeditions sponsored by the program each Sunday and individual trips taken with my classmates to cities like Paris. I’ll never forget being in the City of Love for France’s national holiday, Bastille Day, and seeing everyone celebrating in the streets.
This program gave me the opportunity to not only experience French culture but be a part of it and discover the similarities and differences that all people share in the world. It was incredible to go from getting picked up on the first day at the bus stop with little to no communication abilities to getting dropped off at the train station to head back to the states full of confidence in the language.
However, If I could have known anything before I left, it would have been to prepare yourself for little to no spices in French food (haha) and to tell yourself to relax a little, go with the flow, and enjoy every moment.