Archive for October, 2011

Never Too Old for a French Immersion Program

Are you buying property in France? How is your French? Consider this, you are never too old for a French immersion program! At 58 I was the oldest in my class this summer and not for one minute did I feel the age difference. The immersion program to which I refer is in Angers France at the Catholic University of the West (UCO for short).

The first day, everyone took a placement test and then we were taken on a walking tour of Angers. We ended up at the Jean Lurçat Museum where the mayor welcomed all 164 of us with wine and cookies. There were people from all walks of life taking classes while I was there in July. We had the traditional students from various universities world-wide, nuns from a teaching convent in Brittany, CEOs from industry and people like me who wanted to strengthen their command of the language. Our abilities ranged from perfectly fluent in terms of speaking but in need of written improvement all the way down to knowing nothing. We had classes and listening labs every day and then on Saturdays we took grand excursions to the chateaux, D-Day battlefields and cemeteries, Mont St Michel and others.

I opted to live with a family so that I would have daily practice “at home” with my French family and absolutely loved my “French mere”. Besides helping me with my homework she and I also got to talk about French recipes and I came home with a wonderful little collection.

I enjoyed this program so much and feel like I learned so much that I am planning to return this summer. UCO is not the only immersion program in France so I highly encourage you to check out everything that is available out there. You won’t regret taking this step to improving your French if you plan on living in France.

Related Posts:

  • Ski property investments in the French Alps

  • The French Alps in the Eastern provinces of Savoie and Haute Savoie are among the most popular ski destinations in Europe. Every year hundreds of thousands of ski tourists descend on the French alpine ski resorts that border Switzerland and Italy to enjoy the snow, sun and to marvel at.....click title for details

    Comments

    A Variety Of Remarkable Things To Do In France

    When planning a vacation to another country, people typically want to maximize the time they will have there. It helps to have a good idea of what activities are available and of those, which are suitable for individual circumstances. No matter what the reason is for their visit, most travelers quickly discover a wide array of things to do in France. If you’re out of passport pages, you will need to look into adding passport pages.

    Take A Tour

    A good way to educate oneself about a place is by taking a guided tour. Tour guides are usually very informed about their subjects of interest and are generally prepared to share such wisdom with visitors. Tourists can opt to enjoy the sights by walking, which is how many choose to go. Other methods include tours that are held on boats, trains and buses. If your passport is expired, you will need to look into passport renewals.

    See A Museum

    Museums are the subject of countless tours and they are a favorite for a great number of travelers. Historical museums provide visitors with a wealth of useful information and are ideal places to bring children. For those who are more intrigued by art, there are numerous art museums where people can browse a variety of artwork.

    Sample The Food

    Tasting the food that is unique to a country is a major attraction for a large number of travelers. The natives of a land are often the ones who can best prepare its dishes. Grateful guests can explore recipes to try at home after sampling a wide assortment of foods that may be new to them. A good way to remember a culture is to share its cuisine with friends and family.

    Sample The Wine

    Those who enjoy wine frequently choose to experience the assorted methods for sampling the beverage. Although restaurants and hotels offer access to numerous fine wines, there are various other ways to try them. Touring the wineries of wine country enables guests to see firsthand where and how countless vintages are produced.

    Take Up A Sport

    Sometimes, people feel the need to go outdoors, especially after they have indulged in much food and beverages. There are many opportunities to breathe in fresh air, while seeing the local sights. There are also numerous ways to get plenty of exercise, which is an important aspect of a trip for some travelers. Hiking, bicycling and skiing are all athletic activities that appeal to a lot of vacationers. Others prefer to stroll through the countryside or the city,taking time to look at all there is to see.

    The Nightlife

    Many travelers eagerly await the opportunity to celebrate after the sun goes down. There are several appealing choices for those who desire evening entertainment. People can meet other visitors in a wide array of places and discos are frequently favorite options. Other individuals prefer to hear live music and a huge assortment of musicians play in nightclubs.

    In conclusion, after deciding where and when to plan a vacation, the next steps frequently involve scheduling an itinerary. Remember, you may need to find out about adding United States passport pages. Whether one is traveling alone or with a group, it is usually wise to learn of the activities offered at the chosen destination. Because there are so many fun and tempting things to do in France, countless visitors are inspired to return, as soon as they can. Don’t forget, you may need to find out about adding passport renewals.

    Related Posts:

  • Sarkozy ‘could mean good things for investors’

  • New French president Nicolas Sarkozy could mean good things for investors, it has been revealed. Property expert Assetz has said that the new leader plans to shake up the economy which could create mass homeownership in France and a house price rise.Although this concept may not necessarily seem positive for.....click title for details

  • Elections ‘could improve French economy’

  • Whether you are buying property in France, heading there on holiday or considering whether to invest, few can ignore the country's presidential elections.And it seems that despite the media frenzy surrounding the possible result, a new president could, according to one expert, hail a new era in the country.Economist predicts.....click title for details

    Comments