I am currently studying in the South of France at Montpellier III: l'Universite de Paul Valery. It's situated in one of the largest cities in France and is very close to the beach. During my first few weeks here, the American students all went through an orientation process. During the week we did intensive language learning in grammar, conversation and civilization, and over the weekends we went on excursions within the South of France, very close to the University.