“Voici ta chambre ! Dis-nous si t'as besoin d’aide !”(1) said my host mom, Rafika, who I had met only an hour prior to arriving at her quaint apartment near the heart of Aix-En-Provence, France. It was my first time being in Europe, and unlike most of my peers, I was more excited than nervous. After all, I’ve always been an adventurous person, and living in France has been a dream of mine since I first started learning how to speak French at the age of 8. The one thing that made me a bit anxious was the idea of living with a host family in a foreign country.
Like many others, I’d heard the horror stories—getting matched with the wrong family and having a negative experience abroad because of it. Despite my initial concerns, it didn’t take long for my worries to disappear. Rafika was warm and welcoming from the very start, going out of her way to make sure my roommates and I felt at home. After I finished unpacking my suitcases, she and her husband, Guy, gave me a walking tour of the entire town. It was Saturday, which meant the town's bustling market was in full swing, offering an array of vintage clothing, art, and foods from around the world. Rafika and Guy guided me through the market, encouraging me to try traditional Provençal jams and freshly picked orange slices from a local vendor, which were perfectly in season. That first evening, my roommates and I gathered with Rafika and Guy for a traditional five-course meal she had lovingly prepared. I don’t think I’d ever eaten so much in one sitting, but every dish was incredible: a salad made with fresh lettuce from the market, her famous homemade hummus served with bread from the local boulangerie, a classic courgette and goat cheese tart, an assortment of French cheeses, and a delicious almond tart. Even the water, infused with lemons and mint, was perfection. Sharing this meal instantly made me realize how lucky I was. As we chatted about Rafika and Guy’s life in Aix and my reasons for choosing to study in France, I found myself growing more comfortable. Their genuine interest in my background and their willingness to help me improve my French by only speaking to me in French made all the difference.
Over the next few weeks, we developed a routine. Every morning, Rafika would offer a cup of coffee and a slice of fresh bread with an assortment of jams before I headed out for my classes. In the evenings, we’d all share stories over dinner, talking about everything from French politics to American culture, and I began to appreciate how living with a host family gave me a glimpse into everyday French life that I might have missed otherwise. One of my fondest memories was when they took my roommates and me to Carry-Le-Rouet beach. We hiked along the beach and even got to sample some sea urchin that a local fisherman had just caught from the sea.
Looking back, my experience with Rafika and Guy was one of the most enriching aspects of my time in France. Living with a host family allowed me to not only improve my language skills but also immerse myself in the culture in a way I never could have imagined. I left Aix-en-Provence with a deeper appreciation for French culture—and with lifelong friends in Rafika and Guy.
(1): This is your room! Let us know if you need help!
