Sofia's Experience: Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour (UPPA) French Language Summer School

Sofia

Field of Study: MIBML International Business with a Modern Language  

Programme: Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour (UPPA) French Language Summer School

Length: 4-weeks

Type of Summer Opportunity: Summer School

How much did you spend: €800 when I was there during the month for living costs.

Turing Funded: Yes

 

Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour (UPPA) French Language Summer School

Summer Schools 

Length: 4 weeks

Subjects: French Language Course

Turing scholarships may be available for the 4-week summer school.

Check our Strathclyde Summer Abroad MyPlace page for further details.

 

Would you recommend this summer programme?

Yes - first hand experience of the French language surrounding you, experience studying and French classes completely in French.
Even more beneficial if you live at home during university as you’re completely independent.

It was a nice balance: being in class and in the meantime being so independent. Evenings and weekends were ours to do our own thing. Classes were 15 hours a week (we did have homework) but it was also a nice relaxing month for myself with lots of nice little things such as the weather & food - I felt very calm as the studies weren’t too serious and they also put activities on for us.

What activities were organised by your programme? Did you have the oppportunity to travel?

Activities

Rafting, Vineyard, Pétanque, Bayonne, Treasure hunt, trip to shopping centre.

Vineyard and Bayonne were one of my favourites (I didn’t dislike any activity).
We had a tasting at the vineyard paired with cheese, chocolate, charcuterie. We got showed the machinery inside too. Demonstrations were all in French of course.

Travel

Personal travel - Went across the border to Spain (San Sebastián), Biarritz, Bayonne, Lourdes.

Travel with the programme to Bayonne - we got a mix of a tour guide by one of the staff around the city then time to ourselves. We could feel and see the difference of the Basque side of France which was very interesting.

How has the programme improved your French language?

I’m B2 level French (upper intermediate), but I tried a C1 paper (advanced) and passed it! I learned lots of vocabulary and done a lot of revision of grammar which I needed.
Your classes are fully in French and we couldn’t speak English as not everyone was Scottish. If we had to speak to our teachers for explanations, it was all in French!
After class if we went to the supermarket, it’s still in French!

What is your favourite memory of your summer programme?

Being fully independent with a new region to explore. Personally, I live at home at university so it was nice to do my own things as what to do during my time off, doing supermarket trips to see what ‘French’ things they had to offer.
Personally, I live at home at university so it was nice to do my own things as what to do during my time off, doing supermarket trips to see what ‘French’ things they had to offer.

How has this summer programme impacted your life? 

Socially - I met people from across the world such as USA, Ukraine, Mexico, Indonesia etc when we worked together, went out.

Personally - when I spoke French spontaneously, I didn’t have to think that much as most of the time it rolled off the tongue.
I got on well with the French natives - teachers and students.
- a whole new taste of independence!