Cameroon > France

The typical student of French goes to France. While Paris, Bordeaux, or Nantes may seem idyllic experiences, those will pale in comparison to what you will learn in Yaoundé.

Yaoundé challenged me to develop a new sense of confidence in unfamiliar settings. Learning how to take a shared taxi to get around the city is perhaps the most symbolic example. During Orientation, I fell asleep during our trial runs with a staff member. Needless to say, I was worried about how I would get to the university. At first, it was scary standing on the street and announcing my desired destination and fare. I didn't know where I was going to go, how I would get there, and whom I would meet. But just doing it - just going out there and trying to get a taxi taught me what I was capable of. Studying abroad in Yaoundé is a lot like taking the taxi: it's hot, it takes a lot of patience to get anywhere, the ride is bumpy, but you eventually get exactly where you need to be.

Without a doubt, you will speak, learn, feel, and see so much more in Cameroon than in France.