Spending a month in France to complete a French Immersion course with Global Summers Academy was incredible to say the least. My time abroad was more than just a credit; it made me love learning again.
Personally, I believe there are more inspiring and engaging ways to make a student love learning than traditional schooling. Through Global Summers Academy’s methods of experiential learning, my teacher taught my class through experiences that enforced our in-class learning. My classmates and I practiced life skills, improved our French accents and confidence while speaking to locals, and even learnt how to live independently – all with new friends, teachers and group leaders.
In the classroom, my French language skills improved, but informal interactions – class discussions on the metro, sharing stories with new friends, exploring local markets, and speaking with the locals – enriched my learning experience. Thanks to our amazing teacher, we were able to take our lessons outside into the real world and apply our learning. Whether it was reciting poetry in a park, discussing French cinema in Cannes, or presenting in front of the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame or the Opéra Garnier, these moments taught me that education is not only traditional class work, but applying what is learned from class to connect with others and live as the French do.
The experience of living in a different country challenged me to welcome and embrace incredible new surroundings and lifestyles. Navigating Paris, ordering food in the south of France, and participating in local events, such as cheering on the cyclists in the Tour de France and watching the fireworks on a beach for Bastille Day, became invaluable lessons in communication and learning about new cultures.
By the end of the summer, my outlook on learning had evolved. I saw it as a lifelong journey driven by a passion for exploration and discovery. Learning should be dynamic, immersive, and impactful. This summer with Global Summers Academy opened my eyes to the boundless opportunities for learning beyond traditional settings and gave me the experience of a lifetime! I can’t wait to do it all again this summer in a new country!
Thank you to our Student Ambassador, Kayleigh F., for writing this blog post!
