Perpignan’s Fleuve

Author: Buzz Fletcher | Major: International Business

I wanted to go abroad to specifically learn French and since I have already been to Paris, I wanted to go somewhere different in France and see a new part of it. Perpignan stood out to me for being smaller and not as well-known by Americans. The program also had various excursions to the beaches, museums, and castles which I was very intrigued by. I was fully immersed in the language, thus greatly improving my French skills, and I feel that this alone gives me a leg up when learning French, and in any profession, I may pursue which necessitates a move or trips to France (or other French-speaking countries). Especially on the continent of Africa where there are tens of millions of French speakers and millions of young workers fast building their economy, it presents a major benefit in regard to the possibility of needed investments in French-speaking Africa. My classes were every weekday, and we had a diff prof each day, whom we saw weekly. They either had basic English skills or almost none which one would think was a barrier, but it was more conducive to learning French. The work was different each day and heavily participation based. This was very different to our way of teaching in the states with lessons that build on each other, whereas in the program it was more of day-to-day lessons on different topics. The professors also seemed much laxer for the most part. They were understanding of late arrivals and missing class due to less than necessary events (concerts, hungover, trips to Paris, etc.) which was somewhat a contrast to American professors. Classes went from 8 am to noon which was four hours which is considerably longer than those in the US, and with only one 10–30-minute break given. This was agonizing at first, but it proved helpful and allowed us to bond with classmates from other countries and the professors in more time. It also allowed multiple topics to be covered in one class. The classes were longer but just as great!

Transport was very different. Despite the town not having a metro/underground since it was small. It was very walkable, and you could use e-scooters around the entire city! The town Collioure was very colorful and built on a hill/mountain surrounding a bay; it was by far my favorite outside-class experience when we went to the town and its beach. Food was another topic that was huge to me outside the class. The food was very broad in its flavors and ways of cooking yet seemed to use more similar ingredients in each various dish. It was delicious and curious.

Yes, I 100% recommend this program to any students wanting to learn French and experience new parts of France. The program is unique in being solely French language focussed and is not located in Paris or the North which allows French students to experience a somewhat different variant of French and French culture which is very enriching. Another thing to know is that during this time in the summer there are huge sales on clothes and such in the south so ask family for cash! I know that earlier I raved about the food but one thing to realize about the French is they do not entertain the thought of iced coffee, I will be drinking iced coffee immediately at the airport from Starbucks when I get back.