« Seit ich angefangen habe, Französisch zu lernen, ist es für mich, ohne dass ich es bemerkt habe, zu einem echten Vergnügen geworden, einmal im Jahr nach Frankreich zu reisen. Nur Sightseeing reicht mir nicht; wenn möglich, möchte ich auch ein wenig wie die Franzosen leben, deshalb melde ich mich immer in einer Sprachschule vor Ort an. Umgeben von Klassenkameraden unterschiedlicher Nationalitäten und Altersgruppen ist es sehr bereichernd und wirklich angenehm, mit Menschen aus verschiedenen Kulturen und mit unterschiedlichen Lebensläufen zu sprechen. Dieses Mal habe ich mich für Accent Français in Montpellier entschieden, eine Schule, die für ihre freundliche und familiäre Atmosphäre bekannt ist. Der Unterricht findet in kleinen Gruppen statt und konzentriert sich auf Konversation, was für mich etwas schwierig war, da ich mich beim Sprechen nicht sehr wohl fühle. Aber ich habe wirklich gespürt, wie wichtig es ist, ohne Angst vor Fehlern zu sprechen. Da es keine anderen Japaner gab, war die gemeinsame Sprache mit den anderen Schülern immer Französisch – manchmal mit ein paar englischen Wörtern, die sich in die Unterhaltung einschlichen, was den Austausch sehr unterhaltsam machte. Die angebotenen Aktivitäten waren ebenfalls sehr attraktiv. In einer unbekannten Stadt gibt es immer Orte, die man gerne besuchen würde, aber alleine nicht so recht wagt; es ist sehr beruhigend, wenn man von einem Mitglied des Teams begleitet wird. Es war nur eine Woche, aber mein Aufenthalt in Montpellier war so angenehm, dass ich mir noch mehr davon gewünscht hätte! »

« Ich wollte lernen, Französisch praktischer anzuwenden, also habe ich zwei Monate in Montpellier verbracht. Da es im Unterricht oft Gelegenheiten gab, Präsentationen zu halten, gelang es mir, etwas flüssiger zu sprechen. Dank der zahlreichen angebotenen Aktivitäten (französische Chansons, Kino, Verkostungen usw.) konnte ich mich auch mit vielen Menschen austauschen. Die Mitarbeiter von Accent Français haben sich meinen Namen sehr schnell gemerkt und mich immer herzlich und freundlich behandelt. Die Stadt Montpellier ist kompakt, sicher und sehr praktisch. Ich bin wirklich froh, dass ich mich für Montpellier und Accent Français entschieden habe. »

« Meine Erfahrung bei Accent Francais war sowohl bereichernd als auch unvergesslich. Das Team ist unglaublich freundlich. Sie haben sich um jedes Detail gekümmert und meinen Aufenthalt reibungslos und angenehm gestaltet. Die Lehrer haben uns mit einer Vielzahl von Methoden dabei geholfen, uns wohlzufühlen, sodass wir in einer spannenden Unterrichtsatmosphäre Französisch lernen und sprechen konnten. Ich würde Accent Francais auf jeden Fall weiterempfehlen. »

« Ich habe drei Wochen lang Kurse bei Accent Français besucht, um mich auf mein C1-Zertifikat vorzubereiten, nachdem ich im Jahr zuvor mein B1-Zertifikat erhalten hatte. Beide Male hatte ich eine großartige Erfahrung gemacht. Sowohl die Lehrer als auch die Mitarbeiter sind sehr freundlich und zuvorkommend und immer bereit, einem bei allem zu helfen. Ich kann Accent Français jedem wärmstens empfehlen, der in die frankophone Kultur eintauchen möchte. Es war wirklich ein toller Aufenthalt. »

« Ich bin dank umfangreicher Recherchen im Internet zu Accent Français gekommen; all die positiven Kommentare haben mich dazu bewogen, sie für meinen 17-jährigen Sohn auszuwählen. Heute kann ich sagen, dass sie alle unsere Erwartungen weit übertroffen haben. Mein Sohn hat einen Monat in Montpellier verbracht, und er hat nicht nur Französisch gelernt, sondern ist wirklich in die lokale Kultur eingetaucht. Vom ersten Tag an waren sowohl die Schule als auch die Gastfamilie außergewöhnlich. Die Familie hat sich immer um ihn gekümmert, ihn wie einen der ihren aufgenommen und ihm die Herzlichkeit des französischen Lebens gezeigt, was den Unterschied in seiner Erfahrung ausmachte. Das Institut Accent Français ist tadellos. Der Unterricht ist perfekt strukturiert, die Lehrer sind sehr professionell und aufmerksam, und die menschliche Qualität ist in jedem Detail erkennbar. Die Ausflüge, Aktivitäten und Integrationsräume haben es meinem Sohn ermöglicht, Freunde aus verschiedenen Teilen der Welt zu finden und in jeder Hinsicht zu wachsen. Ich empfehle Accent Français allen Eltern, die auf der Suche nach einer prägenden, sicheren und bereichernden Erfahrung für ihre Kinder sind. Es ist viel mehr als nur ein Französischkurs: Es ist eine wunderbare Erfahrung, die mein Sohn nie vergessen wird. »

« I'm delighted to share that I’ve joined the French+Sciences program in Montpellier, France as part of my cooperative training with the Faculty of Engineering at King Abdulaziz University. This program focuses on sustainable development, offering a unique opportunity to explore how global environmental challenges intersect with innovation and technology. As a computer engineering student in the Department of Electrical Engineering, I’m excited to broaden my perspective and contribute to a more sustainable future through engineering solutions. A heartfelt thank you to Accent Francais French Language School for organizing and hosting this incredible experience. I look forward to the learning, the cultural exchange, and the connections ahead! 🇫🇷🌱💻 »

« A Memorable Journey in Sustainability and Cultural Exchange. On October 14, 2023, the final jury of the Climate Change Competition took place, and my team, Alpha, comprised of myself and two incredible colleagues, Lana Hatabeh Karajah and Hana Al-Assaf secured first place. This competition was organized by the Jordan Green Building Council - المجلس الأردني للأبنية الخضراء | Jordan GBC in partnership with the French Embassy. The win brought more than just recognition; it awarded us a 3-week scholarship to Montpellier, France, to participate in the French+ Science Program among 31 participants from 14 different nationalities. I am truly grateful for this opportunity, which not only led to our victory but also allowed me to complete and obtain an A1 level in French language certificate from the Accent Francais French Language School with special thanks to our teacher, Audrey, who made our class the best ever. Also, participating in the Science Program which focused on sustainability across three major areas: housing, energy, and agriculture. The program included numerous valuable activities: 1. Sustainable development sessions with Enercoop covering circular economy, waste management, and life cycle assessment. 2. A visit to a sustainable housing community. 3. A Climate Fresk workshop by the Université de Montpellier. 4. A visit to an experimental farm in the south of France to learn about initiatives combating climate change. 5. My first experience installing PV panels and learning about solar energy and renewable energy solutions. 6. A visit to CIRAD to learn about their research projects and experiments. As an architectural student, Montpellier offered a lot to explore, from its sustainable public transportation and pedestrian areas to the diverse styles and colors of its building facades. The city feels like a living canvas with its blend of architectural designs. Special thanks to Stéphanie Checa and Juliane H. for their efforts in ensuring that this programme was executed and completed in an outstanding manner. Special thanks also to our speakers and instructors : Tom Desbertrand Elsa Mellon Sébastien A. Eyma Mathieu Mutel Daniella Blake Benjamin Martareche There is so much more I could say, but I'll conclude by expressing how much I enjoyed the experience, the city, and the wonderful people I met from various countries and cultures, who have now become friends. Thank you very much. »

« I am extremely proud to announce the completion of an amazing program that I was part of, the French + Sciences Program. I was honored to receive a full scholarship from the French Embassy in the UAE. As this program was coordinated by Accent Francais French Language School in collaboration with Enercoop sponsored by Campus France, TotalEnergies UAE. This program felt like a dream! The best 3 weeks of my life. It took place in a city that I have never heard of but will never forget, Montpellier. This city is internationally renowned for its research fields in health, agronomy and the environment. So while we were learning French on a daily basis, we were also taken to visit many places led by brilliant instructors, attending lectures all revolving around the topic of Sustainable Environment. I had a wonderful opportunity to interact with incredible individuals and students from over 10 different countries. This experience instilled in me a sense of responsibility and enhanced my ability to communicate effectively, fostering meaningful connections. Engaging with diverse groups allowed me to forge lasting friendships that I will cherish forever. Each week presented a fresh journey exploring a new topic, enriching my overall experience. During our visit to Montpellier, we explored the the largest pedestrian area in Europe Place de la Comédie, marveling at its historic buildings and efficient tramway system. Lectures on sustainable housing introduced me to co-housing, highlighting how buildings can adapt to climate change for a more sustainable lifestyle. A visit to a pioneering sustainable building showed Montpellier's dedication to environmentally-friendly urban development. The second week was highlighted by learning about renewable energy, agroforestry, and agronomy. Farming is prevalent in France and a significant source of income for the country. The growth of these crops is supported by the presence of sustainable energy. We also looked into the history of solar energy, its importance, and how citizens are advocating for its use in their homes. This demonstrates the city's strong commitment to environmental care. In the final week, one of the highlights for me was visiting CIRAD, where we explored three different laboratories. In the first lab, we learned about converting waste into highly acidic biofuel. The second lab provided insight into the process of sampling, DNA extraction, and having a look into some published projects. In the third lab, we saw how plants are planted and tested under extreme conditions to observe their behavior. We also visited the renowned Château de Restinclières, which is famous for its farms, hiking areas, and historical buildings. At the farms, we analyzed and compared the differences between the control and experimental groups involved in various experiments. Lastly, I am very thankful for everyone who made this journey exceptional, for leaving a mark and being part of an unforgettable memory! »

« I am thrilled to share that I was one of the awardees from Nigeria for the French + Sciences Scholarship with a Focus on Sustainable Development, alongside Mohammed Usman Lawan. During this program, I attended French classes at Accent Francais French Language School French Language School and achieved a CEFR A2 level. 🌟 I also gained valuable knowledge on renewable energy and sustainable housing through conferences and workshops hosted by Enercoop. Learned about the significant impact of individual and collective actions on climate change during the Climate Fresco workshop at the Université de Montpellier. The agro-workshop and conference with CIRAD provided me with a new perspective on the innovative agriculture practices being adopted by France, which I am eager to integrate into my career. I want to extend my gratitude to Campus France Nigeria for giving me this opportunity and also to Mrs. Stéphanie Checa for being extremely dedicated and helpful throughout the program. I was able to learn so much, experience the beautiful city of Montpellier and other provinces, and meet so many amazing people from different countries and learn about their cultures. This was a life-changing, unforgettable experience and for that, I am truly grateful, and I hope to visit again. »

« 🌍 I am thrilled to share my recent experience participating in the French + Sciences Program, focused on the theme of hashtag#SustainableDevelopment. 🎓 🇫🇷 As a recipient of the generous ‘French + Sciences Scholarship’ awarded by The Embassy of France in Australia, I had the privilege of spending the last month in the beautiful city of hashtag#Montpellier. This unique program integrated intensive French language courses with scientific workshops, conferences, and hands-on experiences revolving around the themes of renewable energy, resilient agriculture and sustainable housing. 🌱 Highlights included my fantastic C1-level French language courses at Accent Francais French Language School, the Climate Fresco and ‘Resilient Agriculture Week’, particularly the workshop and site visits on the topic of hashtag#agroforestry. Having just submitted my honours thesis evaluating New Caledonia’s regional integration before departure, my research into France’s development aid to the Pacific was front of mind as I began this journey. As such, visiting CIRAD and learning about their work in agricultural research and international development in the Global South was a highlight for me. 📚 Participating in the French + Sustainable Development program has been one of the best experiences of my life, presenting the perfect opportunity to explore the convergence of my areas of study, with majors in mathematics and international and global studies and a minor in French. This experience has provided me with a clearer vision of my role in promoting sustainable development and maintaining crucial international links. I am excited to bring these insights back home, where I hope to contribute to meaningful development projects in Australia and the Pacific, leveraging my French language skills to bridge gaps in the region. 🌟 I am eternally grateful to the Embassy of France in Australia and Campus France for entrusting me with this scholarship and to Tallis Everard for her invaluable help in coordinating my trip. A special thank you to Stéphanie Checa and her team at Accent Francais, who went above and beyond in organising every detail of this outstanding program, from our French language courses to our weekend excursions - we all appreciate your hard work. Thank you to all those at Enercoop, particularly Juliane H., and the Université de Montpellier for facilitating engaging scientific sessions and opening the doors to future study. ❤️ Finally, I would like to thank all of the other students (31 students from 14 countries) in the course, who I am lucky to now call my friends. The hashtag#multidisciplinary and multicultural insights you brought to our discussions added an invaluable extra dimension to this learning experience, and I cannot wait to see where this course takes you! I was very proud to represent Australia as the only student in this particular program, and I cannot recommend this experience enough to any students with an interest in French and Sustainable Development. 🌿🤝🇫🇷 »