CIEE College Study Abroad in Toulouse, France

I didn't feel supported by the staff when I spoke out about being bullied from another girl in the class I was in, including another one who blocked me from meeting her host mother just because of what the another told girl her( to make matters worst , I was stuck i n a hostel in Madrid with both and one got maracas on me). I didn't get much support from my host as I had hoped to. It was a small group, but they all ostracized me just because I wasn't a party drinking type of person, as I was the oldest, I had different priotities. I never got credit for when the group asked me to take photos and other things. The teachers were the good part, I liked both teachers and Iiked the other class's teacher who understood and respected m e when it came to my health food restrictions.

I got everything I wanted out of this program. The staff was incredibly kind and helpful, and always made sure we felt safe and comfortable. My homestay was amazing and they really made me feel welcomed. Toulouse is an incredible town and I got firsthand experience living as a French person. In addition, the classes were thorough and engaging. We had frequent excursions that helped us get closer as a group and I made lifelong friends.

This program is special for two main reasons. The first is that it allows the participant to choose if they want an English, English/French, or French program. In other words, this program is a self-made experience. You can do almost everything in English or you can choose to almost completely immerse yourself in the culture and language. It depends on the participants' goals in going abroad. There were people my semester who took classes in English, made friends who spoke English, did an internship in English, and then there were people who did the same thing in French. The second reason is because this program requires the participant to live with a host family. This allows the student to be a part of the French culture and feel like a part of the city community. I think the students comes to a better understanding of the culture compared to if they stayed in the dorms with other foreign students. A few other details that make this program stand out is that Toulouse is a student town so there are several other French students and foreign students, and I became friends will several. Further, the support of staff is outstanding. They pour their heart into the program planning activities for students, helping students reach their goals in many ways, and are avaliable at anytime of the day. Then, it was nice to have a small group of Americans to see throughout the semester. In other words, you can immerse yourself in the French culture, but if you need a break to speak English or talk about challenges you are facing, it is nice to have people who speak your native language and are going through the same thing.

From day one, I felt welcomed and prepared to dive into French Culture. Though the language barrier was a challenge as I spoke little French upon arrival, the support from the CIEE staff as well as from my classmates, made me feel comfortable. Within a week and a half of being in France and living with a French family, my French improved dramatically.

CIEE staff in Toulouse is extremely well organized and they care for their students and they show that as they help each student get what they want out of their experience. Whether you need help finding your way to the best pastry shop or you need help planning a weekend get away, they are happy to help. Additionally, CIEE Toulouse plans events for the students to get to know French culture in different ways throughout the week. One of my favorite activies was touring a shop where cheese is made and then having a wine and cheese tasting. These activities are both fun and educational which makes for a great reason to write back home!

After this experience I am excited to learn even more about French culture, I have been encouraged to continue my education to fluency in the French language and I have more confidence to go and explore other cultures in this unique way.