One of the most devastating effects of the pandemic has been the closed borders and the limits on experiencing diverse cultures through travel. But, as the famous saying goes, this too shall pass. And when it does, France should be on the top of the list of destinations for students and parents looking to study abroad in high school and college.
Coupled with the superb learning institutions and beautifully diverse culture, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better study abroad destination. France is also right next to the UK (people swim across the English Channel!) so you can always pop back home and quickly back to school anytime you feel homesick.
Learn French
French is among the most popular of the romantic languages with more than 300 million speakers across the globe. Learning a second language can open more career opportunities for you, and with French being among the top
languages used for business, it should be the topmost on your list. You can practice with your child before he or she leaves home thanks to apps like Babbel for example, offering online French courses.
French is also a good base for learning other languages with the added advantage that it is not hard to grasp
Having proficient knowledge of French allows you to work in French companies and French-speaking countries. It would be great to go on holiday to France without spending most of your time in a dictionary!
The culture is beautifully different
With 37 sites inscribed in UNESCO’s World Heritage List, France is globally recognized for its rich cultural tradition. This is, in part, why it receives the most significant number of tourists per year. You don’t even need to think hard to
come up with multiple things that France has contributed to society throughout different periods: ranging from technological innovations and mathematics (cinema and the metric system) to gothic architecture, literature, art, and of course fashion.
France also has numerous cultural establishments and historical buildings all over the country; therefore, you are not likely to run out of cultural sites to visit any time during your stay.
Quality of education is very high
In between strolling along warm beaches and visiting cultural sites, you do not want to forget the main reason you are there; your studies. While it is easy to write off the French education system, favouring its fashion, art, and culture, you would be at a definite disadvantage. France is home to around 3500 higher learning institutions and many high schools. You will have a wide range of choice of institute and programs from science and engineering to business and social studies.
Discover the rich history
Spanning millennia, France’s history is amongst the richest and most popular. So popular in fact that it has been the subject of several best-selling novels and films. Remember A Tale of Two Cities or the 2006 film Marie Antoinette?
French history has been by turns tragic, bloody, inspiring, and entertaining. Few events in history, for example, have had a tremendous, far-reaching impact, such as the French Revolution. And the best part is, you can learn and immerse yourself in this rich history through museums, cultural establishments, and memorials spread across the country. The country itself is a perfect epitome of history.
Food
You can hardly talk about the best parts of France without mentioning the food. The French practically introduced the rest of the world to fine dining. No matter which region you choose to study in, you will enjoy that region’s iconic
traditional recipes: from Quiche in the Lorraine region to Cassoulet in the Southwest. And of course, you can’t forget to mention the wines, champagnes, and more than 400 different cheeses. After all, France is the country of love,
food, and drink.
To study abroad in France is a great way to offer your child a superior education, an alternate view of the world, and a higher edge over their peers in today’s competitive world. This is one global experience you don’t want them to miss.
This post was written in collaboration with Mary Johnson.
