USAC France: Pau - French Language & European Studies

I studied abroad during session two in Pau, and that was a great decision. One month was the perfect amount of time, and the chosen excursions with the rest of the USAC group were so fun, but just gorgeous and unreal. I especially liked session two because instead of just taking classes with other American students, we took classes with other international students, from China, Scotland, Ukraine, Spain, England, Russia, Ireland, etc. We made some great new friends all over the world, and the overall program that encompassed USAC and the International Students' studies had their own included excursions that gave us a different taste of Pau and the region.

I loved my experience in Pau! I had no idea that spending 5 weeks there would alter my life forever. It opened my eyes to how different French culture is in comparison to American culture. When I was little, I idolized my mother because she was my version of the American dream. I wanted to be just as hardworking as her. Now as a college student majoring in biochemistry and minoring in French, I am expected to be ambitious. Whereas my performance looks great on resumes, I often get obsessed with the future. However, when I was in Pau I realized how the locals prioritized living instead of performing. Life is much slower there. People don't often hurry to their next location, adults enjoy parks on weekdays instead of just weekends, and folks seem to appreciate silence instead of distracting themselves with media all the time. Not only did I start adopting some of these habits, but learning a new language encouraged me to think about each word I said. I had to slow down and savor everything I was doing. It was the most present I have ever been and arguably the most I've truly lived in my life. The locals are extremely friendly and will help you learn French. The education at the University of Pau was phenomenal. I felt like being immersed in French and having professors that are willing to work with you was a game changer. I highly recommend this experience even if you don't intend on learning French. Exposing yourself to a new culture may encourage you to reflect on your own lifestyle choices.

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In Pau, I had an incredible experience learning French in an international classroom, where the only shared language between all my peers and I was French. It pushed me out of my comfort zone to speak French every single day and learn new vocabulary and grammar skills. On top of that, I stayed with a wonderful host mom in the center of the historic district of Pau, literally a 3 minute walk from a medieval castle. This made it easy to explore the city and connect with local restaurants, businesses, and festivals.

There was a big group trip I got taken on with people who came abroad with me from other universities in the United States. It was the Paris trip and it was something I’ve been dreaming about since I was little. I got to see the Effile tower for the first time and it was an amazing experience. I almost cried.

I thoroughly enjoyed my semester abroad in Pau. It is a beautiful city in a beautiful country. For the most part, my professors were very friendly and I feel like my French skills improved greatly. I enjoyed the walkability of the city and campus, and would love to visit again in the future. The USAC staff was supportive and I felt like I could go to them with any issues.

My experience was good but mainly because I went out of my way to make it good. I was in a dorm, but we did not have wifi for at least two weeks of arriving. Throughout the semester, power and water was shut off without us knowing and it was shut off for hours in the morning or at night leaving us like that before going to class. Staff for arrival was helpful at times, but many other times they'd force some students who didn't speak French to go and figure out things like insurance or buying phone plans by themselves. I was lucky to have guidance and a good head on my shoulders but if you're not very independent and extroverted, this program isn't very supportive of that. I will say Pau was fun and the people are amazing, the university was pretty nice in itself, and the insurance that comes with the program was really nice, I took lots of advantage of the mental health care.

The usac program in Pau is great! It’s a really nice city, and the advisors did a great job planning trips for the group and helping us when we needed it. The only critique I have is that I wish we’d had more events/opportunities to meet the people living in Pau, but nonetheless it was still a great program.

I was in Pau for 4 months and it was filled with outing and cultural experiences. I stayed with the host family and had the opportunity to see what the day-to-day life was like for a French family. Going out, and my life was a big part of my study abroad experience. I enjoyed speaking to the shopkeepers who were always welcoming and speaking to the servers and bartenders who were always interested to talk to the foreign students. This made immersing myself and adapting myself to the culture very easy.

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I am truly grateful for my time abroad. Not only did I get to improve my language skills which was my primary goal, but I also found a new community, experiences, and many more things I would not have imagined! Through the constant community and exploration, I was able to make a home from what seemed like a strange place at first. I created a relationships with a host family and friends that I have remained connected with. I was able to explore many parts of France that not many people know about which has made it exciting to share since I have come back home! There is so much that studying abroad has brought me and I will forever say that studying abroad was one of the best experiences I have had thus far!

Pau was a very small, very beautiful town. Because of it's size, it was easy to talk to strangers and better my French. The people were very friendly, and were always willing to talk to me and better my poor French. The city was very walkable and there were several restaurants, and public places to visit. During the summer, there are many outdoor bars you can go to facing the Pyrenees mountains where you can meet other locals. There is also a beautiful river you can visit and swim in. It was also very easy to travel throughout France and in Spain on weekends.

Studying in Pau France was an experience that I will never forget. It was more than just studying. It was living and breathing in a new atmosphere that allows one to develop their character, skills, and make friendships that will last a lifetime. I remember my arrival to Pau, getting off the train station, strolling up a steep pathway with my hiking backpack to the Boulevard des Pyrenees, and feeling like I was in a fairytale. The city was embellished with beaming, thriving foliage and architecture that takes one’s breath away, all framed by the beauty of the surrounding mountains. The geographical placement wasn’t the only part that I loved about Pau, but my professors were the best teachers I have ever had. Every class was an adventure, every subject intriguing, challenging. As we all laughed, learned, and ate together, we quickly became good friends. When we didn’t know an answer to a question, we’d look to each other for help. There was such a bond build between the students as we were each in a place we didn’t know, all surrounded by people we didn’t know and no one was competing against the other. If I could recommend doing one thing in life, it is to go abroad! Go experience things you never have. Make yourself uncomfortable, because you will grow. The benefits of it are immeasurable. It’s an experience incomparable to anything else.

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Studying abroad in Pau, France was an unforgettable experience! Not only did my French language skills such as comprehension, pronunciation, articulation, and writing improve immensely, but my knowledge of the culture increased exceptionally. Pau is the perfect choice for anyone wanting to increase their language skills and also have an authentic French experience. You have the opportunity to learn in a classroom setting with amazing, dedicated professors, and also immerse yourself in the culture with program-led excursions and activities on campus and downtown. Pau is wonderfully located with some of the most popular French cities close by and the Pyrenees Mountains are only a bus ride away. This was not just an academic experience either as I discovered a lot about myself and grew my independence and problem-solving skills. I was able to travel all over with new people I met to see amazing sights and places and experience more than just one new culture. I met so many wonderful people, students, and locals, who helped create the best experience! I will always remember the memories I made and the people I met. I encourage anyone who has the opportunity to study abroad to take it. You will gain a whole new perspective on life and a whole new confidence in yourself academically and personally.

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This program allowed for the opportunity to live abroad for 4 months and be immersed as a university student in a small city in the south of France. Alongside studying the French language and culture as well as living with a host family I had the opportunity to travel and learn more about France and Europe. It was an unforgettable experience which gave me a perspective which can’t be seen in any other way.

It is no surprise that being in a new country can be scary and uncomfortable. Culture shock is so much more than the food and clothes being different. Culture shock is the biggest motivation to immerse yourself into the culture and truly put your energy into understanding the language and the social cues. Before I left to go to Pau, I was terrified, but as soon as I got on the plane, I new I made the right choice. The culture is beautiful in France and the mountains, architecture, and beaches are truly breathtaking. If a student is on the fence because of fear of the unknown, my best advise is to play in to it. Accept the fear and use it as a tool to learn as much as possible. I am so thankful I had the opportunity to complete a semester abroad.

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I went to Pau to study Forestry and also took a language class there to supplement my time. I loved being a part of the trips and excursions. I met many fun and interesting people while there in France. I have many foreign friends that I would like to go see again.

Positives: The staff arranged for a tour of Paris that costed only € 750, which considering that cost covered the hotel, some meals, a hotel down to Pau, metro access, and access to attractions, this was a good deal. The people were nice, professors were highly friendly. My lodging was affordable, and they added credit hours to my course selection without changing my bill. They encourage you to speak French here and highly discourage English, which is the opposite of any other French city. It helped me to learn and grow. They had guided tours where transportation and at least one attraction and meal were covered. Negatives: The course offerings are almost entirely language, not as much opportunities for advancement in your major (outside of language, there are 1/2 electives, not likely to transfer to a degree plan.) Additionally, you will have no classes with actual local classmates. You will be in a separate building dedicated to instructing French to foreigners, even if you do have B2 or C1 level. I didn’t receive Internet for the first week or my student card for the first few weeks. The card I understood, but the program communicates through email, so providing Internet should have been possible considering receiving messages required me to walk more than half a mile to the nearest WiFi outlet. I am writing this at the end. After your main classes, they add another week of just electives, but force you to go to class every day for 3 hours for each elective you’re in. I find this highly unnecessary as I’m not entirely sure what course content warrants this in the one elective I’m continuing (the other ended), and I think they should have just ended the semester when regular classes end.

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I really enjoyed studying in Pau, France. It's a smaller town, so I got to practice my language skills every day because many people don't speak English or don't expect it to be spoken. There are some downsides to studying in a smaller town like less transportation (everything stops pretty early in the evening), and not a lot of things to do in general. But I stayed with a host family which was my favorite part. They were able to show me around the city and introduce me to places I never would have found on my own. I really got to experience French culture with them and I'm so grateful to have spent a semester there! Merci!

Studying abroad with the USAC program in Pau, France has been absolutely amazing! Living with a host family has not only provided a cozy and welcoming environment but has also been instrumental in improving my French language skills and boosting my confidence. The professors here at the local university are top-notch. They're super friendly and approachable, which makes learning so much more enjoyable. Pau itself is a picturesque city. It has charming historic architecture and a vibrant cultural scene so there's always something new to explore. The surrounding region is equally breathtaking, with a lot of opportunities for outdoor activities nearby like hiking, surfing, and skiing. USAC has been incredibly helpful throughout the entire process, from the initial planning stages to departure. Their support and guidance have been invaluable, ensuring a smooth transition into my study abroad experience. With their assistance, I felt confident and prepared to make the most of my time in Pau. Overall, I'm beyond grateful for this experience. Studying abroad in Pau has been a dream come true, and I wouldn't trade it for anything!

I have known I wanted to study abroad since the moment I started searching for colleges. French had become a very integral part of my life, and I knew that at some point to get better I would have to study abroad and immerse myself in French life and culture. And I am so glad I decided to do that with the program in Pau, France. Pau is not a huge city, but I find that to be an advantage. The downtown isn't always crowded and you can really feel like you are a part of the culture rather than just a tourist passing through. One of my favorite experiences so far has been attending Carnaval, a celebration of Béarnais culture that I truly got to participate in. The program staff has been absolutely wonderful, and attending classes at the university has become a habit that I will miss. I feel like I am getting the most out of my time abroad and that is a fabulous feeling.

In the fall of 2023, I took part in the USAC Pau, France program. I've always been interested in learning French and studying abroad, so this program sounded ideal. I chose Pau over Lyon since it is smaller and I thought there would be fewer English speakers. The first thing I noticed when I got there was the scenery. Everything was green and vibrant. I am really glad that I made the choice to stay with a host family. They made sure I had a fantastic experience and were really accommodating. I would recommend staying with a host family to gain a better understanding of the culture and practice the language. Although the town is small, it is not as small as most people believe. There are plenty of stores, so you don't have to worry about bringing goods from the States. The town is always hosting community events, and a short trip to Spain is always an option due to its proximity. I am happy with the choice I made and would recommend it to others.