Kerri's French course in Montpellier

1st October 2008: 

Bonjour! ça va? xD

Hey everyone! I'm in my fifth week here in Montpellier, that's scary to say as time seems to be flying!! Although, the number of things I have done in this time is amazing! It is funny to think back to my first thoughts when arriving... I flew over on the Saturday with my parents to have a look around before moving into my student residence on the Sunday. I think my words directed at my father were "I can't believe your just going to dump me here, all alone in a country where I don't even know the language, never mind anything else!" Oh but how my thoughts have changed!

I arrived at the residence the following day in the early afternoon and met nearly all my new housemates then and there. I am extremely happy with the residence I have been put in. There are three residences for students but the one that I am in has only 18 rooms, all with their own bathroom and then a large common kitchen. Because there are only 20 of us in the residence and we all share a kitchen you quickly make some close friends and the social aspect of it is fantastic!

My first day at school was rather tedious because of all the organising that had to be done but we soon got settled in our classes. I actually did my first two weeks in the higher class to what I am in now, unfortunately I found I was struggling as I hadn't studied much French before but it was really easy to move into a more suitable class as soon as I asked to be moved. My teacher now, Elaine, is absolutely amazing; she's extremely patient and very encouraging, which makes learning French brilliant.

Most of my free time in Montpellier is spent with my friends from the residence. We have a few traditions such as on a Monday night we go to Oxymore, a club that has a weekly salsa dancing evening. A Tuesday evening is reserved for an Australian bar (which seems to be the second home for most students) selling cheap cocktails all night.. Thursday's between 7 and 8 is happy hour on crêpes at our local crêperie and then there are the weekends. The second weekend here I spent in Paris with my new friends from the residence and last weekend I went on the excursion to Carcassone organised by the school.

Montpellier is a really lovely town and there is constantly something going on. Since I have been here I have been to a wine tasting festival and last weekend there was an art festival in the park right next to our residence. I have also spent quite a bit of time soaking up the sun while on the beach and in the park xD.

All in all my experience here so far is amazing! I have made friends from all over the world and will have memories that last a lifetime, not forgetting the tens of thousands of photographs that I seem to be accumulating!

Update you all soon
Gros Bisous ;)
Kez x<3x