I decided to take a gap year to learn about myself, to be present, travel, and to finally discover who I am as an artist. So naturally I applied to Berridge Programs, I was quickly accepted and in what felt like no time at all I was on a plane to France. From the very first moment I met the students, staff and teachers I knew this experience would be unforgettable. And it was. For the first three weeks we traveled through many French cities, experimented with countless artistic mediums such as painting, photography, writing and more. Ultimately leading to a 5 week residence in a chateau in Brix. Through this program I have honed and improved my artistic abilities, I have made amazing friends, and I have learned so much about myself.

I recommend this program to anyone who wants to learn about themselves, about others, who wants to be a creative and be in the moment. There is a culture and atmosphere in this program that fosters compassion, togetherness, imagination and ingenuity. And above all, live in France for a lengthy two artistic months.

This program changed who I am as a creative and as an artist, as a person as a friend and as a community member. The way the program directors set up this program was so special from day one. From knowing that we were all a group of fresh out of high-school students coming here to find ourselves through experiences and through our art to being able to hold us all in a space where we can feel vulnerable and cared for by each other has been really amazing and extremely magical and meaningful and I feel so lucky to have been able to do this.

Doing this program has been absolutely amazing and life changing. I’ve met some incredible people and had the opportunity to explore and be around so much art. The places we got to visit and explore with the most wonderful staff and students will now be one of my most treasured memories. This program has helped me become a more confident person navigating new spaces and meeting new people. I’ve been pushed creatively and have created some unexpected and wonderful art that I never would have made otherwise.

This program has created memories that will never leave my heart. The director from day one created such a safe, warm, supportive environment which started us off on the right path. The connections I made with both the students and staff are so deep. This program helped me figure out who I am. The director structures our time together so well. I feel I’ve been exposed to so much and my view of the world has expanded immensely. This experience is something I wish more people could experience. Yay!

Throughout this program, the things that were most noticeable to me were the intentionality of the planning and the care the staff had throughout these weeks we’ve spent together. Every day was so carefully planned, with enough freedom that we could have our own unique experiences, yet enough guidelines that we were never bored. A program like this can be a lot for some people, and whenever I, or anyone else seemed to be in any sort of distress, careful and sincere attention was placed on them by every member of the Berridge team. The duo that heads the program were especially beneficial to the experiences we had throughout our traveling and residence at the chateau. Challenging, supporting, and enabling us throughout this entire journey we went on together. Awe-inspiring scenery everywhere we went and a truly genuine and sincere group of people made this an experience that will have a major impact on the rest of my life.

Berridge Program's Creative Cultures offers an experience that gives you a full taste of Normandy history, art, culture, and life. Students are able to experience all things French while honing their creative talents in a structured yet independent environment. It is a program where students are encouraged to try new things while valuing safety, make friends, and explore what you can only find in France. Students get to experience amazing art classes in several subjects in a historic Normandy chateau for several weeks.

This program has given me so much. I chose it with the goal of opening myself up to the possibility that change isn’t scary but exciting, and I can now say that I feel more confident than ever in my creative self and my ability to adapt to experiences. The environment the program has is one of such strong creative energy and acceptance of individuality, and the staff is so unbelievable supportive that it fostered such a community in our little group. The food was always delicious and the chef at the Chateau was super accommodating. Honestly, I can’t think of a better place for young artists to expand their own sense of self. I’m so grateful to this program and so glad I chose it.

I had an extremely valuable experience developing my skills as an artist and my creative practice. The chateau is a beautiful place to live and visit and the staff are always accommodating with any questions you might have. The resident chef prepares a delicious blend of traditional French/Normandy dishes and food from all over. All in all, this I had a great time here in the chateau with the Berridge programs. I would definitely recommend this program and space if you are looking to grow as a creative!