In brief
Following the end of a long-term relationship, the author retreats to Provence for a language immersion homestay, gaining insights into resilience and self-discovery amidst learning French.
Jenny Gross recounts her transformative experience in a language immersion homestay in the south of France, following a heartbreaking breakup. What she initially saw as an escape became a journey of introspection, confronting mistakes, and embracing new cultures. Upon arrival, she was greeted by Brigitte Miramont, an effervescent host who insisted on speaking only in French, marking the start of a linguistic and personal adventure. Homestays have grown globally as alternatives to standard language classes, and Ms. Miramont has facilitated such experiences for over 100 students since retiring from teaching at Aix-Marseille University. Her program, Live and Learn en Provence, promised intense study paired with cultural immersion, and it fulfilled its promise with tailor-made excursions. Gross, amidst dazzling Mediterranean scenes and novel linguistic challenges, learned more than vocabulary; she learned about perseverance and new possibilities, all enriched by the beauty of France's landscapes and the warmth of its people.
