France: Pau - French Language and European Studies

In the summer of 2015 I studied abroad with USAC in both Pau, France and Madrid, Spain, since I had dual Spanish and French minors with my Geography degree at the University of Nevada, Reno (USAC headquarters!). USAC was very helpful in arranging the program for me, and I had a balanced experience. I stayed with a lovely host family in Pau, which has a small town charm, before living with a roommate from my home university in Madrid, a bustling global city. I was impressed by the students and professors I met in Pau, with locals being very willing to befriend me and my fellow USAC students to helps us enjoy their city. Our professor challenged us and helped us improve our French, and navigated students with varying levels of French proficiency. Pau is a foodie's dream place! I can never forget the first thing my host family said to me when I arrived - "tu vas bien manger" - you are going to eat well. Eat well I did, enjoying the freshest pastries, fruit, cheese and other delicious quality locally produced wines and food items. I made great friends on the program and expanded my horizons in terms of culture, language, and cuisine. I would tell anyone that Pau is a hidden gem in France.

I studied abroad during session two in Pau, and that was a great decision. One month was the perfect amount of time, and the chosen excursions with the rest of the USAC group were so fun, but just gorgeous and unreal. I especially liked session two because instead of just taking classes with other American students, we took classes with other international students, from China, Scotland, Ukraine, Spain, England, Russia, Ireland, etc. We made some great new friends all over the world, and the overall program that encompassed USAC and the International Students' studies had their own included excursions that gave us a different taste of Pau and the region.

If you are looking to grow your French language skills, meeting international and French students, and live in a lovely French town outside of the Pyrenees, then Pau is the place for you! Intensive language courses in the Institut d’Études Françaises pour les Étrangers mix you into other international students where your only shared language is French. I grew so much because of this and gained a lot of confidence, both as a person and a French speaker. On top of that, you’re a quick train ride from the beach in Biarritz or exploring small mountains time like Bedous. The program directors are incredibly helpful and love to give recommendation for travel, restaurants, and cultural festivals/events happening. However, if you are looking to country hop, it is a little more complicated due to class schedules and not having a large airport nearby.

I was in Pau France for 4 months, and when I compare my language ability from the start of my program to the end I see significant differences. Pau is a small walkable city with a great city center. All of the shop keepers are very welcoming and enjoy speaking with the foreign students when they can. All of the bartenders and waiters are also very friendly and willing to have a conversation with their customers. There are not a lot of advanced English speakers so I was forced to speak French which is what convinced me to choose Pau as my destination

Being abroad was an incredible experience that will last forever in my mind because, for my entire family, I was the first one who was able to go abroad and study. Being in France was a great time because I became more open-minded and I was exposed to a different culture and a different way how life. I'm Latino, and my perspective from the US life and now the French life is something so different. As a future teacher, I'll need to feel good with culture and make my students feel comfortable.

Pau was a very small, very beautiful town. Because of it's size, it was easy to talk to strangers and better my French. The people were very friendly, and were always willing to talk to me and better my poor French. The city was very walkable and there were several restaurants, and public places to visit. During the summer, there are many outdoor bars you can go to facing the Pyrenees mountains where you can meet other locals. There is also a beautiful river you can visit and swim in. It was also very easy to travel throughout France and in Spain on weekends.

Studying abroad in Pau, France was an unforgettable experience! Not only did my French language skills such as comprehension, pronunciation, articulation, and writing improve immensely, but my knowledge of the culture increased exceptionally. Pau is the perfect choice for anyone wanting to increase their language skills and also have an authentic French experience. You have the opportunity to learn in a classroom setting with amazing, dedicated professors, and also immerse yourself in the culture with program-led excursions and activities on campus and downtown. Pau is wonderfully located with some of the most popular French cities close by and the Pyrenees Mountains are only a bus ride away. This was not just an academic experience either as I discovered a lot about myself and grew my independence and problem-solving skills. I was able to travel all over with new people I met to see amazing sights and places and experience more than just one new culture. I met so many wonderful people, students, and locals, who helped create the best experience! I will always remember the memories I made and the people I met. I encourage anyone who has the opportunity to study abroad to take it. You will gain a whole new perspective on life and a whole new confidence in yourself academically and personally.

This program was truly unique in the way it immersed me as a student in a small town in the south of France. Not only did I get to study at a French university and live with a local family I had many opportunities to travel around France and learn more about Europe in general. The classes significantly improved my French proficiency and extra curricular classes made it possible to make friends. It would not be possible to achieve the same level of immersion without being a citizen of the country and I am truly thankful for the opportunity.