I decided to take part in the New Caledonia University short-term exchange as I thought it was a great linguistic immersion opportunity that was more affordable than other exchange options. Additionally, New Caledonia is only a 3hr flight away so it was a very accessible course. I found out about the exchange in my French classes with Viviane and was immediately interested in taking part. The process of applying and being accepted happened relatively late as UNC took a while to give UOA the information regarding the course. It would have been great to get the acceptance letter much earlier so we could have secured cheaper flights and been able to plan better.
Before arriving in New Caledonia, I had almost zero background knowledge of the country. It was definitely a bit of a culture shock especially as I had expected a much smaller country/city. I was nervous when I arrived at the university as I was the first person from the course to arrive. Although it was overwhelming meeting so many people in a short amount of time, I quickly felt very comfortable in the environment and made some great friends. Overall, the people were lovely and I already miss them a lot.
The accommodation was basic but clean and everyone had their own room. Most people had their own shower or shared with one other person. The International halls of international residence was not included on the campus map so was difficult to find. Also the kitchen was very small for 28+ people to use (having only 2 microwaves, 2 kettles and 4 small stove plates). Final note on the accommodation is to bring mosquito repellant!
The orientation to UNC ran relatively smoothly despite a lot of miscommunications and teachers and support staff not knowing what was going on. The teachers were all great (Samar, Isabelle and Maud). They made us all feel very comfortable and we knew that they wanted the best for each student. Their teaching style was amazing and I was always engaged in classes – despite being constantly exhausted from how full on the programme is. I would have liked a bit more free time as we were always on the go and never had much time to explore the city (especially considering buses stopped at 7:30pm).
Multiple activities were cancelled and the schedule was changed almost daily – with little communication. Despite these challenges, I want to emphasise again that the teachers and monitors were awesome and I really did think that the exchange was an incredible experience.
The University of NC was a 30-minute bus ride to the city centre which made it difficult to visit, considering our jam-packed schedule. The food was very expensive, although if you go to the supermarket and look for the bargains, you can make it similar to Auckland food prices (not item comparable though). Food was only provided during the stay with the tribe and lunch on the cultural day (traditional dish called Bougna was prepared for us).
On the second weekend during our 3 week stay we went to the Tribe of Oaute for 2 nights. Although the tribe itself did not feel very authentic, it was still a great experience and it was nice to have a change of scene from Campus. The people at the tribe were lovely and were dedicated to educating us all about Kanak culture. I loved walking around the tribe and seeing the land and produce they live off.
Most afternoons we had conferences which were all very interesting but often went too long for anyone to stay focussed – considering the heat and also having a 4-hour class in the morning.
My key highlight was the people I met. I made a really cool group of friends that I know I will continue to stay in contact with. Another key highlight for me personally was my stay before the programme. I would really recommend adding a few days onto the trip either before or after the exchange programme to really experience New Caledonia yourself (as free time is limited). I was lucky to have a week in NC before the programme and was on ile des pins for 3 nights. The island was so beautiful and I had the best time. Arriving early also helped me a lot in regards to switching into French mode.
Note: during my stay, swimming in the ocean was “forbidden” due to shark attacks. However, if you are careful and aware of this, you can definitely still swim (as I did).
What were the highlights of your experience during your time in the French Summer School?
I enjoyed the excursions the university organised for us. These included a city tour with a stop at a local boulangerie, a visit to the aquarium and beach, a stay with a tribe, a kayaking trip and a visit to the Tjibaou Cultural Centre. I found each of these activities super interesting and fun and the monitors who accompanied us were great. I found that these activities really helped my French comprehension as I was hearing lots of different French accents and tones compared to the familiar voices of my teachers.
What are your top 3 tips for future students attending this programme?
1) Bring mosquito repellant
2) Make the most of every day because it goes by super fast
3) Be open to everything
How much did you budget? Was this enough? Were there any lessons learned that would help future students budget for their own short-term programme?
Excluding the course fees, I budgeted $1000 for food, transport, other essentials and leisure. This was a pretty accurate budget. I didn’t expect to spend my entire budget but due to how expensive food was, it was difficult to keep costs down.
What were the most significant takeaways from your experience with this programme?
The most significant takeaway from my experience in New Caledonia would be how different the country is to New Zealand due to being colonised by France (plus considering how close NC is to NZ). During my stay I really embraced the cultural traditions and customs of New Caledonia and the Kanak people. While there were many similarities with Maori culture, there were also lots of differences. I was intrigued by the French influence alongside the island lifestyle. Experiencing this unique culture made me realise how different people’s lifestyles are in the world and made me excited to discover more.
Do you want to share anything about travels you did outside your host city/country?
As mentioned in my report, before the university programme began, I was in New Caledonia for a week. During this time, I stayed in Noumea city centre, I then travelled to Ile des Pins for 3 nights and finished in Noumea’s touristy area. The highlight was most definitely my time on Ile des Pins. I went cycling, hiking, snorkelling, kayaking, paddle boarding and also just relaxed with a book. It was such a lovely 3 nights and I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to see a New Caledonian island.
