by Magali (Landivisiau, Britanny, France)

Loads of people have a dream, and some are easier to realise than others. But if you're less than 18 years old and if you'd like to go abroad for a year to study, discover a new country, culture, way of life... you should know that's not difficult at all. Furthermore, if you're not really ready to leave your family and your friends for a year, you can also leave for a few months only.

There are loads of associations as "Piefrance" in France that help you to find a family, a school... everything that you'll need in the country where you want to go.

If you've never thought about it, you should. This experience is wonderful! It's a great opportunity to make new friends, discover a culture you didn't know, and sometimes, it helps you to learn who you really are.

However, you have to prepare yourself before leaving; you should meet people who belong to the association, and they tell you if your English e.g. is good enough, or if you should improve it. But they help you to choose a family where you'll be fine too.

But it's true that sometimes the family isn't the good one, and you have to change, because it's sure that some people have to resolve problems. But that's a good means for you to get a stronger mind...

You shouldn't be afraid of doing this kind of trip. Indeed you could face some bad surprises but people are there to help you, and in all the testimonies I've read, every one was very happy of what they did during the year. If you're open-minded, everything will be alright. Indeed, it's not easy for you to arrive in a family, but it's not easy for the family either. So don't hesitate to talk to them about the country you come from, your traditions... The families want to make you discover their way of life, but they want to share yours too...

You have to tell yourself  it's an opportunity you'll have only once in your life...

If you need details, you can log on to www.piefrance.com I discovered this website about six months ago, and now, I read the articles every day...

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