France Blog
Students travel to France for a program of total immersion in French language, history, and culture. During their stay in France, students live with host families carefully selected in order to accommodate them. While traveling, students keep a journal and fulfill other requirements adapted to their language and/or art background. Upon their return, students prepare mandatory projects, including a research paper on their on-site findings, to earn full credit.
Keep up with students daily!
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Wednesday, February 12th
Bonjour , Je m’appelle Fatoumata(‘26)! I started my day with school(as always) but today we started a bit earlier because the director of the program was offering a class about law in France so some of us took that class. Afterwards, I went to Monoprix which is a grocery store to get my lunch and a little snack. I then headed to musée Fabre for a bit with the other students. We stayed there for a few hours and then we had free time. Stella(‘25), Fia(‘26), and I went to different cafes and did a bit of shopping. We finished around 6 and headed home around 6:30! I took the bus home and had dinner at 8:30 p.m.! -
Monday, February 24th
Bonjour! My name is Tess '26. Today in class, we briefly covered the French justice system and then delved deeply into physical descriptions. After class, I grabbed a salad with Fia '26 and Sam '26. We then headed to the courthouse, where our group sat in on multiple hearings. The cases were diverse and quite complex. Afterward, we gathered in the park for some group check-ins. I enjoyed a chai latte with friends at a nearby café, and then we headed home, where I had a delicious home-cooked meal from my host family. Before bed, I finished some homework and spent time with my host mom’s cat, Baba! -
Sunday, February 23rd
Bonjour tout le monde!
My name is Sam ('26) and today was a beautiful and relaxing Sunday in Montpellier. It is also, sadly, our last weekend here. My friends and I talked today about the things we miss most and whether or not we are ready to go back home. Personally I am not. Today I got to sleep in and then took the bus and tram with Tess ('26) to meet our other friends, Adam ('26), Avery ('25), Dana ('25), Laura ('25), and Rafi ('26) for breakfast. Today I got a burger but the Savary Stack of pancakes has been a crowd favorite. After we finished eating we went to Place de Peyrou, which has the famous Arc de Trimophe, as well as other statues, monuments, lots of green space and amazing views. Today there were some vendors so we went to check out all the items that were laid out on their tables. A lot of silver and dish wear, most of which would not fit in my suit case.
While we were browsing an American lady heard us speaking english and correctly guessed that we were students from Boston. She said that she had also studied in France long ago and was back again to visit. That will definitely be me in 50 years! We then went our separate ways to run errands, or for me, go to the gym. Most shops are closed on Sundays as it is traditional to spend time relaxing with family, but a few stores, like our beloved supermarket Monoprix remain open. After a quick workout I took the bus back to my house where I was greeted by my host mom, Nathalie and the dog that she is currently taking care of, Jasper. I attempted to clean my room because it is a mess and I need to pack soon, but got tired and had to take a nap. Mom if you are reading this I think I might have to ship some stuff home I have no clue how I am going to fit it all in my bags...
Anyways after my well deserved rest I ate dinner with my host mom, ratatouille with rice and a salad on the side, we had crepes for dessert and then rushed to go dancing! Every Sunday she goes to bachata lessons, and these past 2 weeks I have brought my classmates and teachers with us! There is a 20 minute instruction in the beginning, and then another 20 minutes of partner work rotating through all the people in the room. After that we have free dance, which is when all the professionals show up and it's a lot easier because they lead with ease! There is lots of twirling so me and my friends take this opportunity to dress up. Events like these are also good opportunities to practice our French small talk. I speak with my host mom's friends often and participate in their conversations, as well as speak with each person that I am partnered up with. The dancing runs a bit late, but Nathalie and I dropped Tess off at her home and then headed back to ours. I let jasper out and am now writing this. Soon I will go to bed to catch some Zs for not only class tomorrow, but the criminal trial we are attending in the afternoon. Our last week will be another busy one, so make sure to keep reading!
See you all so soon and Bonne Nuit!! -
Saturday, February 22nd
Hey guys! My name is Fatimata(‘26) Today is the last Saturday before we leave France and it was also a packed day. I woke up around 11 and got ready to leave for Odysseum. I went out with Morgan and Adriel along with other students to the trampoline park. We stayed for a bit and afterwards ate at a cafe. I had a chocolate cookie and a chai lattée (It was really good!). Afterwards Stella(‘25) and hung out at the outside mall until around 7. Went took a train back to the center of Montpellier and looked for laces to have dinner. After about an hour of looking, we went to pick up Fia(‘26) for the bus station and had a late dinner. After dinner we went for dessert( we got ice cream) and then went home around 10! -
Wednesday, February 19th
Bonjour mes amis!!
For Wednesday, Feb 20th, we learned about French body language/gestures and some politics in class. After lunch, we met up with our partners to work on projects and then checked in with teachers (playing cards in the meantime). Then, we broke off for free time and I went to the mall and boba with some friends! I hope y’all enjoyed and bonne journée :)
-Frankie ‘26 -
Tuesday, February 18th
Sup Crystal here again.
Today is a pretty normal day, went to class, had a really nice lunch with my friends. One of our homework is interviewing people in streets, it was a bit intimidating, but me and Gemma got to interview a gentleman who is a writer. -
Monday, February 17th
Salut! It’s a sunny day today.In the morning we had the class and we went over the trip to Arles and Les Baux de Provence on Saturday. Later, we went through some grammar and the brief story of Serge Gainsbourg. We went for lunch after we looked at assigned groups for a small social justice project. We have a free afternoon today. My group mate and I decided to meet up in the cat cafe and finish the proposal of the project.Gemma ‘26 -
Sunday, February 16th
Bonjour!Sundays in Montpellier are usually meant for rest, most shops are closed and people spend time with family and friends. Today I went to brunch with some friends, explored the city, and spent some time at the beautiful Chateau d’Eau.-Rafi (‘26) -
Saturday, February 15th
Salut!
It’s Dana again! Today was such an amazing day in France. We started our day on the bus, made a quick pit stop, and arrived at Alers! There we got to see the Aréna d’Alers, which is where there would be animal viewing and battles back in the early 11th century. Then we went to look at a Chatheral and learned a lot about Roman architecture. Once we wrapped up our tour we went for lunch in small groups, and I had the best lasagna ever! We also got to see the garden of Vincent Van Gaugh! Our adventure didn’t stop there, after that we got on the bus and went to a beautiful mountain top, we got to visit a castle group and another church. After that, some friends and I stopped for a quick snack, and we got back on the bus! To end the night we checked in with our chaperons, a couple of us eat out on the weekend so we went to an Asian buffet!
Today was a day full of adventure and learning, I can’t wait to learn more and do more adventures like this. This was by far my favorite activity of the trip and it’s only week 2! I look forward to more adventures and more amazing memories! Thanks for reading. (ALSO IN THE PICTURE IS OUR AMAZING TOUR GUIDE JEREMIE) -
Friday, February 14th
Salut tout le monde! Today was another beautiful day in Montpellier!!During class this morning we debriefed yesterday's trip to Aigues-Mortes, I gave a mini-presentation on the history of French architecture, and we reviewed some french grammar. After school, we all headed to Comédie together as usual and split up in search of some lunch! At 2pm we met back up at the Promenade du Peyrou, and walked over to the Jardin des Plantes.There, we had a mid-mod check-in where we reflected on the time we've spent here so far, and our hopes for the rest of the trip. Then, we were free to go off on our own! I walked around and checked out a bunch of little shops, then got coffee and a cinnamon roll with some friends! After that I got some dinner, and then made my way home on the bus!Thanks for following along with me today, and happy valentine's day!Sending so much love to all my friends and family back homeAvery '25 -
Thursday, February 13th
Bonjour, je m’appelle Tess (‘26)! I started my day by going to school, where we studied various French grammar points and practiced greetings and goodbyes. Afterward, we went out for lunch, where I sat outside, ate my food, and listened to a local street performer with Fia (‘26), Fatimata (‘26), and Stella (‘25). Following lunch, we all headed to Aigues-Mortes, a historic fortified town in southern France, known for its well-preserved medieval walls. After touring the town, we had some free time to explore with friends. I picked up a small postcard of The Little Prince for my scrapbook! Next, we went to the beach for 45 minutes. We took off our shoes and dipped our feet in the water, and although it was freezing, it felt refreshing. I also had the chance to chat with some of the Spanish students who were on the same bus and made a few new friends. After a long day, I enjoyed a nice meal with my host mom and finished up some homework. Feel free to check out my full day on the @wearecsw account on Instagram! -
Tuesday, February 11th
Hi everyone, my name Crystal '25. I took the bus to the school as usual and my professor Eddie actually showed us the Gojira opening today! It was really cool. I tried vegan food for the first time and we went to the cinema🎭 -
Monday, February 10th
Bonjour!!! I’m Laura ‘25 and yesterday (feb. 10th) was my 18th birthday!!! I celebrated with a late brunch and walked around Montpellier with my friends! It was a great way to spend my 18th! -
Sunday, February 9th
Bonjour! I’m Katherine and I’m doing the blog for today. A lot of stores are closed/ opens later during Sundays. However, I was able to visit Musée Fabre since it was opened and got to see some gorgeous oil paintings with my friends (especially The Fallen Angel by Alexandre Cabanel). Definitely was one of the top things on my bucket lists here. Afterwards, we went to a cat cafe. It was a very fun day!
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