My experience hosting French students as a British university student

My name is Natasha, and I’m a student at De Montfort University. For the past two months, I’ve been living abroad in France, a journey that has pushed me well beyond my comfort zone as an introvert. I’ve had the opportunity to work with a company that work with over 50 host families allowing me to host one French student per week. Initially, the thought of interacting with new people made me nervous, but I embraced this unique challenge as a chance to grow. Looking back, I’m glad I did—I have no regrets.

IceBreakers

When I had my first student I was unsure where to begin but I knew that creating a welcoming atmosphere and making them feel comfortable were crucial. We would start by getting to know each other and asking questions to break the ice. We talked about our hobbies and favourite things, leading to discussions about our shared interests. I bonded quickly with my first student over our mutual love for The Hunger Games. With another student, we exchanged many photos from our hometowns. He was interested in travelling and was giving me recommendations of places to visit in France while I suggested places to visit in England. These icebreakers worked well.

Activities We Did Together

The activities planned for the week are crucial for making the hosting experience a success! To reinforce language skills, we engaged in various interactive activities. The main activity was cooking together. The students became curious about different kitchen items and ingredients. This not only improved the student’s vocabulary but it also inspired me to explore new recipes.

Another favourite activity was playing Petanque, a game that was entirely new to me as a British student. The French students were eager to teach me the rules and techniques and it became a wonderful cultural exchange. We also played a lot of card games. As a Brit, while I was aware of many card games I didn’t know how to play them. The students introduced me to games like rummy and speed. While playing games, I was introduced to French music further enhancing my cultural immersion. These activities not only helped us learn from each other but also built meaningful connections.

Cultural Events

Hosting students has pushed me to engage in activities I might not have tried otherwise. We explored cultural events and traditions including a French market. Our evening at the French market in Castelnau was truly magical. The air was filled with the sounds of live music, and the atmosphere was lively and full of energy. Stalls overflowed with an array of fresh produce and unique local goods, that led to conversations about French culture. Sampling traditional delicacies alongside the students and chatting with locals gave us both a richer understanding and appreciation of French cuisine.

Saying Goodbye

The most challenging part of this experience was undoubtedly saying goodbye to the students. After spending so much time together and forming deep connections parting ways was difficult. Each farewell was quite emotional but I took comfort in knowing that we had a great time and created lasting memories together.

Hosting students has challenged me to be more open, communicative and adaptable. By sharing our daily lives, we have both gained a deeper understanding and appreciation of each other’s cultures. These shared experiences have been invaluable, teaching me not only more about others but also allowing me to grow in ways I never expected.