Bordeaux
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Rita Lielamure, Bordeaux and Paris 2013-14
Overall, my Year Abroad experience has been exciting and extremely rewarding and here’s why:
I spent my first semester doing independent language studies in Bordeaux at Alliance française language school, and in my second semester I was on the Erasmus+ exchange in Paris where I studied at EAC Paris (the school of Arts and Business).
I commenced my studies of the French language in Aberystwyth as a Beginner, therefore going abroad with a limited language knowledge was, indeed, very challenging. When I arrived in the capital of wine - Bordeaux - I decided to live with a French family, because I thought that I wouldn’t be able to learn the language otherwise. And I was absolutely right! I got really close with my French family who helped me a lot with my language progress. They always pushed me to speak French, as I was fearful at the beginning. They also took me on trips, “forced” me to watch French films and listen to French music, which helped me enormously with my language learning progress. Also, I had to do 4-hour language lessons every day in Alliance française, which was very intense, but really helpful.
So, after spending 3 months in Bordeaux, I went from being a Beginner, to being an intermediate. I was able to understand sophisticated conversations and engage with people even with my poor vocabulary and grammar skills.
Further, I spent my second semester in Paris – the capital of fashion. I was very lucky to get in the School of Arts and Business as the studies involved Music Festival, Theatre and Live Performance organisation, production, planning…etc. I’ve always wanted to study these subjects. So, this opportunity was just surreal. And, again, I encountered another challenge, where I had to understand the specific language used by teachers. It didn’t feel like Bordeaux at all, where teachers would correct your language mistakes… There, it felt like I was lost in the world of business and I had to find links on my own. Nevertheless, it was a very funny experience, as I learned a lot from the professional people of the event industry. Also, I met a lot of interesting, like-minded and funny people and I quickly became friends with them.
To cut a long story short… I can’t express how blessed and lucky I feel to have been able to experience all of this. I have traveled a lot, however, the year abroad in France was one of the best things I have ever done in my life. Yes, I had a lot of challenges and I was struggling throughout the whole journey, however, what would life be if there were no chalenges!? This year abroad was so good, that after I finished the school in Paris, I decided to move back to Bordeaux over the summer to carry on my language development. I managed to find a job there and continued living with the same French family. I ended up being like one of the family members who helped with cooking, cleaning, shopping and problem solving. THAT WAS SIMPLY FUNNY AND AMAZING!
If I had to list the best things about this year abroad, that would be:
- The people that you meet during the journey.
- The ability to learn another language (in no time) by immersing myself in their culture.
- The different cultural and social experiences.
- The various different skills that you advance so quickly, such as: independence, confidence, the ability to adapt and the ability to appreciate.
This year abroad has infuenced me so much, that in future (after my graduation) I will definitely move back to France as I fell in love with this country, its culture…people…art…food…lifestyle…mentality and thinking.
My advice is: “If you have a chance to go somewhere abroad – just do it! It’s that simple!” J
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Clare Williams, French, Language School (DEFLE), Bordeaux, 2011 – 2012
When it came to choosing what to do for my Year Abroad I decided the best option for me to improve my language skills would be to go to either a university with the Erasmus scheme or to go to a language school. I chose to sort out a language course independently. I then looked at a list of possible language schools and picked out a place at random, Bordeaux. I looked into the course and the area, decided it seemed like a nice place to live and got everything confirmed with Kader. The people at the language school (Département d'Etudes de Français Langue Etrangère) were really helpful and even helped me to secure a place in the student accommodation.
When it came to arriving, my parents drove me down on a Saturday, which took about 13 hours. Upon arrival in the small town of Pessac, just outside Bordeaux it felt very unfamiliar and uncomfortable. Nobody could speak any English and I was thrust into the unknown. On the Monday I had to take some placement exams just so the school knew my level of French, I ended up being placed in the highest set. The course itself was really good, and was right next to one of the universities (Bordeaux has 4), although it did have 8:30am starts which were a bit different to back home!
The great thing about going to a language school was not only that my French improved really fast, but that I was able to meet a wide variety of students from all over the world, including America, the Czech Republic and Romania. Not only did I get to meet foreign students, but I soon met lots of French students. My confidence improved greatly throughout the year, and the French people I met all said they could hear a great difference in my French, which is nice to hear as sometimes you don’t feel you’re improving.
Bordeaux itself is an absolutely gorgeous city, so much so that I’m hoping to move back there and maybe even live there. It has the longest shopping street in Europe, which is always a good thing, and is a very pedestrian friendly city. Everything is within walking distance, and even the small town I lived in was only 20 minutes from the centre of the City via a Tram. The public transport is incredibly easy to use, and fairly cheap. The city is very typically French, and very few people speak English, so it was really easy to settle into the French lifestyle.
I would recommend my year abroad choice to anyone, as I had the most incredible year and can’t wait to go back to Bordeaux!
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Claire Stewart, Leonardo, Bordeaux, Summer 2011
To start off my year abroad I did the Leonardo programme in Bordeaux for the summer of 2011. This was the best way to start the year because we had a daunting year ahead with lots of paperwork but we had lots of support and were guided every step of the way during the placement, it was much easier to settle into living abroad. I had requested to work with children and was pleased when I arrived to have been given a placement at a local summer school. After a few weeks of a fun and fulfilling intense French course (and lots of exploring) I started my 8-5 job with 3-5 year olds and was absolutely terrified at first, but the staff were lovely and the kids were brilliant to work with. As well as organising lots of activities at the school for the children we also took them on lots of trips to the cinema, library, circus, beach and lots of walks – The children had plenty to say so my French was well in practice! It also improved thanks to the constant “challenges” that my colleagues gave me, such as when story time came around and the other staff would deliberately vanish so I had to read books such as Elmer/Le Petit Prince to the children for half an hour…every lunch time! After a month here I moved on to work with 6-11 year olds and a much bigger team of staff. I found that after a month of working and living in Bordeaux that my French level shot up and I was so much more confident when speaking.
I was living with a lovely lady just outside of Bordeaux who seemed to take me on like another daughter, and my level of French would not have improved so much if it were not for countless evenings talking over dinner about anything and everything. I still write to her now and am looking forward to going back to stay with her soon and seeing the family.
Doing the Leonardo programme meant I received some funding which gave me the opportunity to travel a little, such as a trip to Toulouse and a trip to Saint- Émilion. This worked out rather well as it was visiting this place that gave me the idea for my dissertation – massive relief! The best parts of my stay were meeting the lifelong friends I have now and experiencing “proper” French culture. I was also lucky enough to have both my 20th and 21st birthdays during my time abroad which was amazing! Unfortunately I could only do this programme once, but given the opportunity I’d happily have stayed there!
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Patrick Devine
My year abroad was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I know that this sounds rather cliché, but it really was. I met some wonderful people and made many good friends.
I spent my year abroad as a language assistant, teaching English in two primary schools in Bordeaux, one in Talence and one in Villenave D’Ornon. In all honesty I didn’t know what to expect and when I found out I’d be teaching the whole class at the same time, I was pretty terrified.
However, I was lucky with regard to support. I received reassuring help from the class teachers who stayed in the classroom while I was teaching.
I also worked with an American woman who lived in Bordeaux, and found her to be a great help. We shared the planning of lessons and undertook some team teaching.
I formed firm friendships with some other language assistants in Bordeaux, as well as Erasmus students from Bordeaux University, and we enjoyed the nightlife that the city had to offer!
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