Alumni Interview with Laurie de Gonzalez

What inspired you to go abroad?

I wanted to perfect my French.

Why did you choose Edu-inter?

I looked at it online and I liked the fact that they offered super intensive French classes at a reasonable price, in addition to a homestay and after-school activities. Since it is a city where people speak almost exclusively in French, I felt that it would be easier to practice the language which was very true.

What was your favorite part about Québec?

The city of Québec is magnificent. It has a European flare to it. Along with feeling safe, I enjoyed the historic aspect of the city and the friendly people who spoke almost exclusively in French. There is so much to do in the city and so many places to see. Both the summer and winter offer so much. In the summer, the free concerts and events make the city come alive, and in the winter, all of the outdoor winter sports keep people active and engaged. 

Thus, I would have to say that my favorite part of Québec was meeting the people, having so many fun things to do with everybody I met, and spending such enjoyable time with my host mother who was warm, understanding, patient, and extremely interesting and interested in different cultures.

What made your experience abroad unique?

What made this experience abroad unique was the beauty of the people at the language school, my host mother, and the city itself. 

How did local staff support you throughout your program?

The staff were upfront about the program costs. They were accommodating when I asked them to offer a specific after-school program, and they were kind!

What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?

I wish I had stayed longer! 

Describe a typical day in the life of your program.

In the summer program, I would get up at 6:30 a.m. and got ready for school. That would give me time to eat breakfast with my host mother which was delightful. At 8:30 a.m., I would walk to school and classes started at 9:00 a.m.. I would be in class from 9:00 a.m. until noon for an hour lunch. At 1:00 p.m. I would have the intensive course from until 2:00 p.m., and then I would start the super intensive course at 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.. 

After, I would engage in one of the after-school programs. My host mother had dinner ready for me at 6:00 p.m. We would eat together and engage in lively conversations. At around 8:00 p.m., she and I would watch television together. I really enjoyed this routine because I was very busy and it allowed me to connect with my teacher, classmates, and host mother.

What did you enjoy doing in your free time?

Everything I did just seemed to flow seamlessly. If I did have some extra time, I would engage in activities offered by the city. One day I went a healthy food fair with over 300 vendors. Another day, I went to the movies and to the art museum. Sometimes I would enjoy the delicious coffee and pastries in the downtown bakery. One of my favorite outings was going to the cat café!

What was your accommodation like? What did you like best about it?

I loved my accommodations. I was about a 20 minute walk from the school, in a neighborhood that had many chic stores and coffee shops near it. However, what I truly liked about my accommodations was my host mother! She was fantastic! I participated in this program twice and each time, I stayed with her. 

What is one thing every participant should know before participating in your program?

One thing every participant should know before participating is that you are in good hands with this program. People care about you and they want to see you succeed! Give and you will receive. Be kind and people will be kind to you. Speak as much French as possible and you will be amazed at your progress. 

Now that you're home, how has your program abroad impacted your life?

I have a much better command of the French language and I have gained a true friend my host mother. What more can you ask for?

Would you recommend your program to others? Why?

I would highly recommend this program to others because it has everything that you could wish for in a program. The teachers are highly trained and kind, the host families are welcoming, and the city is clean, exciting and full of activities.