Six Memorable Weeks in France: A Language Immersion Experience

Learning a language offers more than just a chance to study—it provides real opportunities to use the language in practical settings. Whether it’s travelling with family and friends or participating in an exchange program, language skills can open doors to new experiences.

In the below article, Priyanka Thanigasalam (Year 12) shares her experience of spending six weeks in France as an exchange student, offering insights into how the immersion helped improved her French language skills and provided valuable cultural exposure.

– Natasha Collins
Assistant Head of Department – Languages

During the summer holidays, I spent six weeks on exchange in France, which I found to be such a remarkable, worthwhile experience. I was matched with a lovely French host family who had two younger daughters, they live in Thionville, a charming town in the Lorraine region. Thionville is just half an hour away from Schengen, where France, Germany, and Luxembourg meet—famous for the Schengen Agreement signed there in 1985.

During my time in France, I attended lycée (high school) for four weeks and had a two-week break over Christmas. My host family and I visited towns like Dijon, Nancy, Metz, and Troyes. I had the privilege of being there in December so was able to enjoy the Christmas markets in Thionville and a few other neighbouring towns as well as a smattering of snow.

The lifestyle in France vastly different to how we live in Australia. Every day, we would have a two-hour break for lunch where we’d leave school and head into town to eat in bistros and cafés. Some days, we wouldn’t finish school until 6pm, so we’d arrive before sunrise and leave after sunset. Quite a change from back home!  

I also had the chance to visit Luxembourg a few times, both with my host family and with friends. One particular memory that stands out, was getting the bus to go ice skating in Luxembourg after school with friends. It felt truly surreal to be able to take a 20-minute bus to arrive in another country with an entirely different culture and different languages (French, German and Luxembourgeois are spoken).

Overall, the experience was incredible. I made lifelong friends and memories that will stay with me forever. I learned to be independent and adapt to a culture so different from my own. It was a bit scary at first, but looking back, it was an adventure I’m so glad I embarked on. I’m so grateful I had the opportunity undertake this experience – it really pushed me outside my comfort zone, yet was so unforgettable and rewarding. 

– Priyanka Thanigasalam (Year 12)

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