Hey, I saw your post about the 5-weeks you spent in Trois-Pistoles, Quebec for Explore. I have just found out that I have been accepted there, but because of work and school where I live, Im a bit hesitant to pack up and take a chance & go. Im wondering if you would mind answering a few questions I have about the place and trip in general? I hope Im not a bother! Thanks!
Hey I really hope I'm not too late for this! I didn't see I had messages sitting in my inbox for who knows how long. If you haven't done it yet, DO IT!! If I am way late, I really hope you did it! Tell me some about your experiences?I had an absolutely incredible time in Trois-Pistoles, that place is like an idyllic little Quebecois home in my mind. I stayed with the most hospitable family, made amazing friends I still keep in touch with, and honestly took my French to a whole other level than when I started. Immersion really is the best and only way to learn to speak a language with true comfort. I found myself thinking, dreaming, and joking in French (mastering humour in another language is, to me, an indicator that you really get the linguistic subtleties), and it's all because you literally HAVE to speak it ALL THE TIME. You sign a contract when you get there that you're going to speak only French, no English, which seems really overly militant at first. But after the first week, when your brain starts to feel a little less like mush at the end of day full of new French words....you start to realize how easily it comes to you, and you realize the benefit of sticking with it diligently. The more you put into it, the better. I had friends who did the Explore program in other places and just didn't get the same experience, they mostly got drunk and went out, talking English all the time. Which was great that they had fun, but in terms of a French learning experience, it wasn't exactly as rewarding. T-P is a super small town where most people actually don't speak English. What better place to learn than a place that is so small, even the locals will chastise you for speaking English because they know you are students and should be speaking Francais seulement. Anyway again, I have lots to say about this so feel free to get in touch with me if you have more specific questions! I can also recommend specific places to go check out in T-P when you get there. Cheers!