My experience
I had always wanted to learn more about the countries in the south pacific region. However, I was mainly looking to improve my french language abilities which had stagnated since high school. This made the Intensive French in New Caledonia program the perfect choice, being one of Australia's closest neighbours.
How has the experience changed you?
As with any overseas exchange, I was able to broaden my perspective of the world and gain a better insight into myself. However, I also learned about the rich history and culture of New Caledonia--one of Australia's closest neighbours.
The intensive french classes at CRIEPAC were tailored to our ability and were very helpful in improving my understanding of grammar and other tricky parts of the french language. These classes and the day to day practice through interaction with my host family and other locals improved my level of french dramatically.
Favourite memory
There were many occasions where I had free time after classes. Some of the most memorable experiences came from spending this time with the locals and the other students in this program. One of my favourite experiences was after classes in the first week. I travelled to a beautiful secluded beach with some of my other classmates. We went snorkelling in the stunning coral reef just offshore. Shortly after we were approached by some curious local children who were extremely friendly. This turned into an awesome intercultural experience as we befriended the local children and taught them things about Australia whilst asking them about their home country. The discussions soon devolved into an epic water fight to round off an amazing day.
Top tips
Don't hesitate to go out of your way and talk to the locals, they are all extremely friendly and love to have a chat with Australians. They are very accommodating and will always be grateful that you are trying to talk to them in their native language, regardless of your french level. This is a way to practice your french and make awesome memories!