💋 Dear Readers,
Did you think student life in the south of France meant relaxation and tranquility? Think again.
Welcome to ILA-IH Montpellier, where the sun shines, the croissants are crisp, the accents sing… and where little dramas don’t wait until the weekend to arise. 🎭
Are you here for a French language stay in France? You’ve come to the right place.
I’m taking you with me for a month behind the scenes at our school. Between French classes, lively coffee breaks, hallway crushes, and laughter… Let’s spill the tea, Mediterranean style. A true language immersion in Montpellier, between encounters and discoveries.
But first, introductions are in order. I’m Emma. I’ve been working at ILA for almost a year, at the reception desk, in customer service, and behind all the Instagram posts you love (or not, but we do our best 🫶).
Passions: travel, tattoos, and pastries—to be eaten, not cooked.
My job? Being there for the students. The result? I witness everything: the big moments, the little setbacks, the wonderful encounters, the too-quick departures… And that’s exactly what I wanted to tell.
Every month, I’ll be slipping you a column about life at ILA-IH Montpellier: from the student side, of course, but also from the team side. The idea? To entertain you, teach you a few words of French, and give you a little taste of what we experience here, every day.
Feel free to follow me, read me, write to me… or just drop by the reception desk and say hello.
📆 WEEK 1: The Art of Arriving in Montpellier
Monday morning, 7:30 a.m. It’s time for your beloved team to open the doors of our building on Rue Joffre, in the heart of Montpellier. Like every first Monday of the month, it’s beginners day: needless to say, we hear (still) more English than French in the hallways! But believe me, that won’t last…
After the arrivals, it’s time for introductions: documents, instructions, practical information… Once all that’s behind them, our students have earned a coffee (they’re going to need it) before heading off to their classes. Already, a few lost sheep—a classic first-day occurrence! With four buildings so close together, there’s always a bit of confusion. Fortunately, our reception desk is keeping a close eye on things and escorting everyone safely to their destination.
The first break of the day quickly becomes a theater of observation: we witness the birth of new friendships… and sometimes a few small romances. As for us, it’s an intense moment: answering all the questions—even the most outlandish—is part of the fun.
At 12:15 p.m., our welcome drink is in full swing. Former students have come to chat with the new ones, and we can hear all the languages of the world echoing through the hall. It’s always a magical moment to see people from all over the world bonding in just a few hours. Cheese, charcuterie, and smiles to boot: who could resist?
Then, it’s time for adventure: head to the Écusson, the old town of Montpellier, for a guided tour 100% in French (yes, no cheating this time!). Despite the 30-degree heat, our teachers Peggy and Brunelle lead the tour with a masterful hand… and a very useful fan.
The rest of the week? Under the sun, to be exact. Between French classes, phonetics workshops on the theme of nasals (the real ones know…) and, the icing on the cake, a tasting of Muscat—the region’s typical sweet wine—for our adult students, of course. That’s what learning French in Montpellier is all about: between studies and the art of living.
Montpellier is also about that: sunshine, sharing, and a gentle way of life… Unless it’s the calm before the storm of the first placement tests on Thursday and the departures on Friday.
🕶️ WEEK 2: Friendships, Farewells, and TikTok Fever
Ah… the second week, that moment when faces become familiar, when groups form around a coffee, a classroom, or a ray of sunshine in front of the school. And then sometimes, you just have to say goodbye… This week, emotions ran high: one of our students, who’d been here for 24 weeks (yes, twenty-four!), said her goodbyes. Hugs flowed, eyes lit up, and autographs from around the world appeared on his French flag. Real life at ILA French Language School, in short: intense, multicultural… and always a little overwhelming.
But no time to cry too long: there are birthdays to celebrate 🎉 Our two employees of the month, Irina and Lucas, were kindly taken hostage for a little homemade celebration (read: cake, embarrassing photos, and candles blown out amidst laughter). A deep-rooted tradition here, and one we wouldn’t pass up for the world!
On the reception side, a new face has appeared: Natalie, our intern freshly arrived from England. British accent + good humor = a winning combination. She’s discovering the joys of French hospitality… and our 1001 existential questions from students around the world!
And while some are welcoming, others are… filming! ILA is officially landing on TikTok! The first videos are underway (with a mix of laughter, questionable editing, and goodwill), and it’s looking promising. Spoiler alert: teachers aren’t the last to join in the fun…
Things are happening in the classroom too. This week, a French grammar lesson (gently) spiraled into a heated cultural debate: “Why is French so illogical?” A question posed with humor… and a hint of despair. But as our teacher Cyprien would say: “It’s not logical, it’s poetic.”
As for activities, the vibes were 100% southern France:
🏖️ First pétanque workshop — an opportunity to understand that it’s not enough to throw a ball, you have to be strategic.
🚌 Excursion to Aix-en-Provence: fountains, pastel facades, artisanal ice cream, and… sunburn for the unwary. We warned you!
🍰 And of course, the pastry workshop, that unbeatable classic. Tasting homemade pastries from the bakery next door. Once again, it was a moment out of time… and definitely not light.
Montpellier continues to delight us, in every sense of the word. The heat rises (it must be said that summer is in full swing), connections are formed, and life at ILA continues its joyful (and slightly sweet) course.
💋 XOXO, Emma, your favorite insider.
💡 Bonus: “Montpellier according to them: what they loved, what surprised them, what they’re taking away with them”
Andrea (Switzerland): “I like Domaine O and also the Jardin des Plantes for a walk.”
Photo gallery
