Program & Host Family

The University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC) creates opportunities for students to study in different countries for a summer, semester, or a year. CSU Stanislaus (my home university) is a member of USAC so I receive credit for studying at one of the program's overseas sites. I've applied and received admission to the University of Pau in Pau, France for one semester (January 6, 2011 to April 20, 2011) but will also go on the optional 5-day Paris tour at the end of the program. For programs in non-English speaking countries, USAC requires its students to take a certain amount of language classes, so I will be taking 3 different levels of French and one French Conversation course while abroad. I also have my choice of one or two electives- I've picked only one class (Business in the EU) so I can also take an optional French Cuisine course! Students should expect to have class Monday through Friday but we do have weekends free for enjoying the amazing place we will find ourselves in.
I applied for a home stay for my living arrangements while in Pau and will be living at the home of Christine and Lionel Desroys. Christine has 3 daughters and 1 son from a previous marriage. The youngest, Guilhem, is 13 and lives at the Desroys' home. The other three children are students in different cities but I should meet two of the daughters (Emmanuelle and Maÿlis) while I'm living there. I've been told that Christine and Lionel love to cook, enjoy music, and take lots of trips to the mountains. The Resident Director in Pau (Robina) has told me that they make their own bread and jam and have a piano. The Desroys will provide me with breakfast each day, dinner two days a week (and more upon request), and access to their utilities. This is part of why I decided to go with the home stay option, but I also really want the full French experience and cultural emersion. I hope I connect with my french family in such a way that I can invite them to stay at my home over the summer :)


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For more information, please visit my program's website


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