Foundation Year Immerse Themselves in Normandy’s History and Culture

Blessed with wonderful weather and excellent spirits throughout, the trip provided a fantastic opportunity for students to develop their language skills, deepen their understanding of French culture and history, and grow in confidence and independence.

For many students, this was their first experience of being away from home for an extended period of time. Living, travelling and exploring together encouraged resilience, responsibility and independence, while also creating lasting memories with friends. The students embraced every challenge and opportunity with enthusiasm, making the trip a tremendous success.

Their itinerary combined educational experiences with plenty of fun. Students enjoyed visits to a zoo, a water park and a thrilling high-ropes adventure course, where they demonstrated courage and determination high above the forest floor. We also visited the magnificent Basilica of Saint Thérèse in Lisieux and spent time exploring the picturesque harbour town of Honfleur. Here, students were given some free time to wander around the historic streets and waterfront, putting their French language skills into practice as they ordered food and drinks. Crêpes and ice creams proved particularly popular!

One of the highlights of the trip was meeting their French pen pals. Throughout the year, students had exchanged letters with students from a university in Mézidon-Canon, and during our visit they finally had the chance to meet in person. It was wonderful to see both groups making every effort to communicate, with the French students practising their English and our students using their French. The experience brought lecture theatre learning to life and demonstrated the real purpose of language learning: communication and connection with others.

The trip also had a strong historical dimension. Accompanied by Mr Rudkin, Head of History, students visited Arromanches, one of the key locations associated with the D-Day landings of June 1944. After watching a moving documentary at the 360° Cinema, students walked down to Gold Beach, where they were able to see the remains of the remarkable Mulberry Harbour. Standing on the very beaches where history was made gave students a powerful insight into the events of the Second World War and helped them appreciate the significance of this region.

More than anything, the Normandy residential aimed to inspire our students. By experiencing French language, culture and daily life firsthand, students gained a deeper understanding of why they study French and how language learning can open doors to meaningful interactions and new experiences. Whether communicating with French students, ordering lunch in a café, exploring historic sites or simply navigating life away from home, they developed skills and confidence that will benefit them for years to come.

The trip was a wonderful blend of languages, history, culture and personal growth, and we are immensely proud of the way our Foundation Year students represented the university throughout their time in France.