Postcard from Montpellier 1: Living la Vie Française: Starting My Internship in Montpellier

About Me: 

Hi there, and welcome! I’m Tallie, a 21-year-old languages student, currently on my year abroad in the sunny south of France. I study French and Spanish at university in the UK, but right now, I’ve swapped the lecture halls for baguettes and boulevards! I’ve just moved to Montpellier to do an internship as a receptionist at Institut Linguistique Adenat (ILA), Wisewards’ partner school in Montpellier -but more about that later…

I’ve decided to start this blog series, Postcard from Montpellier, so that you I can join me on this exciting (but somewhat overwhelming) journey! Follow me as I try to navigate the ups and downs of living abroad in your twenties. I will be talking all things year abroad; from interning at a language school and tackling language barriers, to showing you my life outside work as well. After all, it is equally as important (in my opinion) to know where to find the best ice creams, restaurants, beaches and bars in Montpellier! So, if you’re into travel, languages, student life, or just want a little sunshine in your feed - stick around! I can’t wait to take you along on this journey. 

My First Month: Why Montpellier?

You might be wondering, why Montpellier? What made this city stand out when I was choosing where to go for my internship abroad? Well, here’s my totally honest answer: the sun and the sea. Having grown up on the border of Wales in the UK, I was dreaming of a destination with a bit more sunshine, and a lot less rain… Montpellier had always been in the back of my mind, as I came here on a French exchange around 5 years ago. I still remember being in awe of the beautiful streets and famous Place de la Comédie. So, when it came to picking somewhere for my year abroad, I just couldn’t resist coming back!

My first 4 weeks in Montpellier have flown by, I can hardly believe I’ve already been here for a month. It feels like I arrived just yesterday… My arrival in the city was however, a little overwhelming, as I landed right in the middle of a truly French ‘fête’. Before arriving here, I had organised to live with a host family, thanks to the help of ILA, and they placed me with a lovely French lady, who greeted me with the classic Montpellier ‘faire la bise’ -3 kisses on the cheek. Definitely a cultural shift from the usual awkward British handshake, but nevertheless it was a very friendly welcome! 

After a quick shower and a little tour of the apartment, my host took me straight out to enjoy the fête! I remember feeling an overload of emotions at this point; a mix of tiredness after a long day of travelling (a typically delayed flight and a 5am start), but also excitement for what was to come. My mum gave me one piece of advice before I left: “just say yes to any opportunity during your year abroad”, so that is exactly the mindset I brought with me. And I’m so glad I did, the Fête des Fanfares was a unique experience and an unforgettable first night in Montpellier. The streets of Les Beaux Arts (my new neighbourhood) were packed with bands playing music from all around the world. I was surrounded by people who were simply just enjoying life-this was without a doubt a very refreshing start to my year abroad!

My first few weeks have definitely had their ups and downs, but more on that in my next post… It felt like I had entered a whole new life, far from my home comforts, but ILA welcomed me into their family with open arms! 

My internship at ILA:

I’ve been working at ILA for just over a month now, and honestly? My experience has been nothing but positive so far! Before I go on, I will just explain what exactly ILA is, (in case you were wondering!). ILA, which is short for Institut Linguistique Adenet, is Wiseward’s partner school here in Montpellier. It’s a French language school consisting of four buildings located right in the heart of the city, just a few minutes’ walk from the Place de la Comédie. All year round; students from all over the world sign up to the wide range of French courses (whether it’s the Standard French, the French Course for Seniors or perhaps even the French and Cooking Course) and many of them (like me!), choose to immerse themselves in the true French culture and stay with one of ILA’s 350 carefully selected host families. ILA has an excellent relationship with all the host families, and each family is chosen according to the hobbies and interests of our students. So far, for me, this experience has been very fulfilling, and a great way to discover all the best local spots and hidden gems in Montpellier for when I’m off the clock. 

As for me, I work at reception, speaking both French and English depending on the student’s level of French. The job is very varied, and the tasks range from booking students on to all kinds of extra-curricular activities, to dealing with their questions and helping to solve any small hiccups they may encounter during their stay. One of the highlights of this job is that I’m able to meet students of all ages and nationalities and follow them on their journey learning French. Some just stay for a few weeks whilst others stay for several months, which allows me to get to know them better. ILA has the friendliest of environments and the staff and teachers all greet me with a smile and take time to check in. The students are just as friendly and there is an overall vibrant and inclusive energy, connected through a shared passion for those who want to learn French. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from this internship, but I’m really enjoying being part of such a friendly and good-humoured team! Of course, the language barrier was a bit of a shock at first, going from speaking English to using French all day was quite an adjustment. But little by little my confidence is growing. My favourite new phrase I’ve learnt is ‘à tout’ (short for à tout à l’heure- meaning see you later), I’ve never felt more French than when I proudly say ‘à tout’ to my colleagues when going on my lunch break!

Throughout this blog series, I’ll be sharing regular updates on all things ILA, giving you a behind-the-scenes look at one of Wiseward’s partner language schools. Stay tuned for an inside perspective! I truly can’t recommend this school enough- whether you're aiming to improve your French, experience life in a stunning city, or fully immerse yourself in the local culture.

Looking Ahead:

So, what am I actually hoping to get out of this year abroad in Montpellier? Well… (aside from getting a bit of a tan!), my main goals are to improve my French, meet lots of new people, and really explore everything Montpellier and the wider Occitanie region have to offer. If you want to hear more about the realities of interning abroad, or you are interested in signing up for one of Wiseward's immersive French courses at ILA, then you’re in the right place! Postcards From Montpellier is going to be a way of journaling my experience as an intern in France, a place to talk about the highs, the lows, the awkward language slip-ups, and the wins too. I’ll also be sharing my favourite places in and around Montpellier, some of which I am yet to discover- as well as my tips and tricks to survive a French heatwave, coming from a Brit who is not used to the Mediterranean heat! I’d also love for this blog to be more of a conversation too -so if you’ve ever done a year abroad or lived in another country, let me know! I’d love to hear about your experiences, your tips, or even just your funniest cultural mix-ups.

Consider this your first Postcard from Montpellier… more to come soon!

Bisous,
Tallie 💌