Living in Boston as an international student
Friday, 4th December 2009
I am a French business student and my program includes an academic year abroad; I chose to do it in Boston.
In August 2008 I left my small town in the south of France to go to the United States. I did not really know what to expect but I knew that it would be an unforgettable experience.
Boston is a great city - I would describe it as a small New York. Boston is a popular stop on the tourist trail and as a result you can find a real mix of nationalities. I would also say that it is the most ‘European’ city that there is in America.
I will never forget the clam chowder, the Boston Celtics or Boston Red Sox games where the whole city is shaking, Newbury Street and all the beautiful shops, Quincy market where you can find all type of food…
The main reason why our school wants us to go abroad is to learn a foreign language and to become fluent at it to have an advantage on the job market. The language is definitely the best aspect of this experience. I spent one year in a University, going to classes only taught in English and meeting people who did not know a word of French. In this situation you do not have any choice but to learn and use the language.
After a few weeks in Boston I started feeling really comfortable about my spoken skills in English and I started to learn other languages.
Being in a University is a great experience because you get to meet a lot of international people that are leaving the same experience as yours. I had friends from all over the world; Germany, Turkey, Egypt, Palestine, Australia, Taiwan…
For me, total immersion in a foreign country is the best way to learn all the aspects of a language and to practise the basics that you are taught at school.
More about English courses in Boston
Tags: massachusetts, boston, language, languages, germany, united states, learning, french, english
Posted by Mathilde Brouillet 2009-12 under Experience Cultures,
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