BootsnAll Travel Community

Hello - I'm a grad student, and I need your help! I don't know if this has been asked or not in the forums (if so, just redirect me!) I need to have an intermediate 2nd language-speaking proficiency to complete my program. I'm currently looking at the Annecy program at www.languagesabroad.com program, but they've since changed the format, and I can no longer do the 11-week program because it starts in April next year. I was wondering if any of you out there know of any other good french-language programs out there, either in France or some other French-speaking country? I'm looking for something that is at least 4 weeks long that starts anytime from mid-May and runs no later than September 1st. Cost is obviously an issue, but so too is quality - a homestay would be preferred, if that's part of whatever program. I'm interesting to see if any of you out there have any good suggestions!

The deadline may have passed at your school, since those always precede the general deadline of October 19th -- but I'll suggest anyway the excellent Fulbright Grant Program. Competition varies every year -- depending on how advanced you are in your studies, you could design a program of only 6 months. It would still be from about July of '08 through the end of December/January.... There are so many great benefits to this program -- you can design your course of study and do field research in the country of your interest.

I've heard some good things about Projects Abroad.... Senegal would be an interesting place to practice French.

Often, university foreign language departments offer summer trips to the country of your interest. They generally include excursions to points of cultural interest but also have a strong language component. The downside is that these trips are filled with American students with whom you would reside in a dorm. Have you consulted with the French department at your school for home stay options?

There was a cheap school in Aix en Provence, well, relatively cheap.

I almost went to it, but then I read teh fine print. It said if any assignments were missed for any reason, they could eject you from the program or penalize you.

I got the idea they were a little TOO serious about their lessons, BUT, if you are very serious about learning French, check it out.

I got nervous because I am notoriously bad at learning a new language, and have had bad experiences with demanding schools that don't teach individually.

If you have talent, it could be another story.