Bonjour mes amis!
Where did I learn French?
Have you ever wanted to learn French? For me personally, it has been a goal of mine for quite sometime. Over the past summer, I had the opportunity to attempt a 5 week French immersion program in New Brunswick, Canada at the University of Moncton. One of the most challenging and rewarding things I have ever done in my life.
Which French program?
The program is called Explore. It is a bursary run program by the Government of Canada that is dedicated to encouraging Canadian students in improving their French language skills and knowledge of the French culture.
Students across Canada are placed within a draw and are then selected and placed in one of the designated universities across Canada. Each person is able to select their top 3 choices for location and then have the chance to be placed in 1 of the 3.
What was my experience?
The program 100% exceeded all of my expectations by millions of miles.
One of the most important rules of this program was that you could not speak English for the entire 5 weeks. That’s right! Only French for 5 whole weeks. They even have a French speaking countdown to mark when you can no longer speak English! Cinq… quatre… trois… deux… un… Français!
One of the best ways to learn a language is to immerse yourself in said language. This is definitely achieved with this program. You find yourself turned into some sort of French sponge. Une éponge! If the desire to speak the language is there, you will want to learn as much French as possible so you can start talking and making new friends. It is quite surprising how quickly you can learn a new set of vocabulary!
You will also make lots of friends while you are partaking in the program! There are so many opportunities to make friends during class time, workshops, field trips, or even the weekend when everyone is hanging out at the university’s residence. I stayed on campus for the entire 5 weeks and was lucky to have all my friends either next door or a couple of floors down or up.
When the program started, my French knowledge was about 2%. I’m not even exaggerating. I had a little bit of vocabulary, but I could barely remember anything since I hadn’t had a French class in almost a decade. I couldn’t even remember how to say my age when introducing myself (J’ai 24 ans).
What was the daily schedule like?
Every morning (except weekends), you would have class for a couple of hours. My teacher, Raynold, was the absolute best! A very funny man who was very passionate about teaching the French language and Acadien culture. We all quickly started to pick up the language and were able to practice our French in workshops three times a week.
Almost everyday there was some sort of activity or field trip where we could explore Moncton, NB or the Atlantic coast. We went on a lobster cruise, a trip to Prince Edward Island, the zoo, the water park, the beach, we went strawberry picking, and so much more!
It was a stress free way to learn a beautiful language. In the end, I can successfully say that I can make basic French sentences and understand at an intermediate level. In no way is my French perfect, but I finally feel confident enough to have a conversation with a native French speaker.
This is an experience I would 100% recommend for anyone who qualifies for the government run bursary. If you do not qualify for this program, don’t worry too much! There are still hundreds of ways to learn a language.
What other ways can you learn French?
- You can use phone/desktop apps like Duolingo, HiNative and Babbel. These apps are a great resource to broaden your knowledge of the language and even meet other language learners.
- Join a French class or club in your free time.
- Try and read French books. Reading is a great way to expand your vocabulary and improve your grammar orally and written. Here is an article on some recommended French books.
- Watch French television either online or through a streaming service like Netflix. I recommend turning on the French subtiles so you can improve your hearing and reading all at the same time.
- Visit France or Quebec if the funds are available. This is the best type of immersion!
- Keep a language journal and write in it everyday. Practising your writing will drastically improve your grammar, vocabulary, and spelling.
- Simply study as much as you can! A popular way to learn a language is to set a date for your A1/A2/B1/B2 French level exams and study the language until you’ve met that goal.
Learning a language takes a lot of work, but it is not impossible to learn. It simply takes time and motivation. If you have any questions about the program, please leave a comment down below!
Enfin, le français est difficile, mais beau et stimulant. Vous allez adorer la langue et aimer la culture! N'abandonnez pas et vous apprendrez rapidement. Bonne chance mes amis!
Safe travels,
Carina
Frequently Asked Questions
Quoted from the Explore Program website
ACCOMMODATIONS – Can I bring my family with me? Can I have someone stay overnight?
You will be staying in a student residence or home-stay that can only accommodate the participant.
ACCOMMODATIONS – Can I change accommodation during the program?
Generally, no. If you have a major issue, contact the host institution.
ACCOMMODATIONS – Can I share a room in residence or a homestay with a friend if we are both accepted?
Maybe! If you are awarded a place, the institution will send you a welcome package with more information on lodging, among other things. If you and your friend are awarded a place to the same institution and same session, you could then communicate with the institution to find out how to go about sharing a room or a homestay. Either way, you’ll have a great experience!
ACCOMMODATIONS – What is the difference between a residence and a university apartment?
Residence: One or two participant(s) per dorm-style room, common spaces shared with several other participants.
University apartment: Approximately two to four participants per apartment, shared kitchenette and bathroom within the apartment.
APPLICATIONS – Why are there few or no institutions appearing in the drop-down list of my application?
The choices of institutions that appear on your on-line application are based on the age you have entered in your personal profile page.
- If no institutions appear in the drop-down list, it is because you do not have the age requirement to participate in Explore (you must be at least 16 years old before or on the first day of the course). If you believe you do meet the age requirement, check your personal profile, as you might have made a mistake in your date of birth (i.e., indicating you were born in 2016 instead of in 2000).
- If there are just a few institutions appear in the drop-down list, it is because you are only seeing the institutions that accept students your age. Make sure that you did not make a mistake in your date of birth on your personal profile page.
- Please note that for the 16+, 17+, 18+ and 19+ programs, you must have the required age before or on the first day of the program.
For example, if your 18th birthday is on July 6, you would be able to apply to 18+ programs that start on July 6 or after, but not to those starting on July 5 or before.
- For the 16-17 and 16-18 year-olds programs, you must have the required age before or on the first day of the program, as well as for the entire duration of the program.
For example, for a 16-17 year old program running from July 3 to August 6, you must be 16 or 17 before or on July 3, and not turn 18 before August 6.
No exemptions can be made on the age criteria.
ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE – Can I arrive late, leave early, or miss a few days in the middle of the program?
No, you are expected to arrive and leave on the date set by the educational institution. Late arrivals and early departures are not permitted.
ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE – Can I be picked up at the airport/train station?
Ask your host institution about arrival arrangements.
COSTS – What costs might I incur during the program?
The funding covers tuition, food, accommodation, and most of the activities.
Participants will need to cover their travel costs, pay a non-refundable registration fee (and possibly a refundable deposit, depending on the institution), and bring some pocket money. For more information, click here.
CREDITS – Do I get credits and whom should I talk to about them?
All Explore institutions issue an official certificate to program participants. However, obtaining a credit depends on whether the Explore institution is offering a credit and whether the educational institution that you will be attending in the following academic year will accept that credit. You can find out by contacting your home institution directly.
The credit is not automatically transferred to your home institution; you are responsible for all inquiries and arrangements regarding credit transfer. You should approach them before you start the Explore program, as most institutions do not approve retroactive credit transfers.
If your home institution agrees to accept a credit from the Explore program, it will then determine that credit’s equivalency (i.e., level and number of credits).
Even if the Explore institution does not offer a credit, you could still bring your Explore diploma, certificate, transcripts, or assessments to your home institution for its consideration.
DOCUMENTS AFTER EXPLORE – I haven’t received my certificate of achievement or grade report for completing the program. What do I do?
Contact the educational institution you attended. Their contact information can be found here.
DOCUMENTS AFTER EXPLORE – I haven’t received my tax slip (T4, T2202A, Relevé 1, Relevé 8, etc.). What do I do?
Contact the educational institution you attended. Their contact information can be found here.
ELIGIBILITY – I am not eligible for the Explore program. Is there any way I can still participate?
Many institutions accept participants who are not eligible for the Explore funding into their Explore programs. This means the students would apply directly to the institution of their choice and bypass the random draw. These students are required to pay the full cost of the program (approximately $3,000 to $4,000) in order to participate, as well as the travel costs. Since the institutions that accept participants who are not eligible for the Explore funding have different fees, eligibility criteria, and application deadlines, you should contact them directly for more information.
ELIGIBILITY – Is there a maximum age limit?
No, there is no maximum age limit. As long as you meet the eligibility requirements, you are eligible for the funding.
Even though you are welcome to submit your application, please note that the accommodations and activities are designed for youth. Most participants are young adults, and activities are designed to meet the needs of that age group.
FUNDING – Can I attend both the Spring and Summer sessions?
You can only obtain a place for one session per year. If you wish to attend a second session, you must pay the full cost of the program directly to the institution (approximately $3,000 to $4,000).
Click here for more information on participants who are not eligible for the Explore funding.
FUNDING – Can I receive an Explore place more than once?
You can receive funding more than once, but not in the same year (i.e., you can’t have funding to attend a Spring session, then a Summer session immediately following). The draw gives priority to first-time participants; however past participants are occasionally awarded a second place.
FUNDING – If I am awarded a place to an institution, can I trade it for a different institution or session?
No, you cannot trade your place for one in a different institution or session.
Note: if you have an exceptional reason for refusing (e.g., a severe illness, death of a relative, etc.), contact your provincial/territorial coordinator to discuss being placed back on the waiting list.
FUNDING – If I receive funding to attend an Explore institution, can I get the names and contact information of the other students going there?
For privacy reasons, we cannot share that information.
FUNDING – My friend and I want to do the program together. Can we be placed at the same location?
While it is technically possible that the randomized draw will assign two applicants to the same location, there is no way to guarantee it. However, if two people want to attend the same Explore institution, and one person is awarded a place for that location but the other isn’t, the other could pay his or her own way to attend the same session, provided the institution accepts participants who are not eligible for the Explore funding.
Click here for more information on participants who are not eligible for the Explore funding.
FUNDING – What should I do if I decide not to accept a place?
Contact the institution offering it and tell them that you are unable to accept it. You will not be penalized for refusing. If you meet the eligibility criteria, please apply again next year.
Note: if you have an exceptional reason for refusing (e.g., a severe illness, death of a relative, etc.), contact your provincial/territorial coordinator to discuss being placed back on the waiting list.
FUNDING – Will I receive the funding directly? When will I receive the money?
The funding is transferred directly to the institution and covers your tuition, food, accommodation, and most of your activities.
HELP – What should I do if I need help during the program?
If you find yourself in need of help during the Explore program (or at any other time), Kids Help Phone is a great resource.
Kids Help Phone is Canada’s only toll-free, 24-hour, bilingual, and anonymous phone-counselling, Web-counselling, and referral service for children and youth. Every day, professional counsellors provide support to young people across the country. The service is completely anonymous and confidential — they don’t trace calls, and they don’t have call display. You don’t even have to tell them your name if you don’t want to.
I am a Canadian citizen or permanent resident studying abroad. Am I still eligible for the Explore funding?
Yes. Complete your application as far in advance as possible (using a Canadian address) in order to give your home province or territory adequate time to process it. You may have to answer further questions or provide further documentation.
I also wanted to thank the University of Moncton and the Explore staff for creating such an amazing Summer experience!