Did your DC get any money from Turing ?

[IlovedLadybirdbooks]

DD is doing MFL degree and on her year abroad in France. Just been informed by her home university that she won't get anything from Turing.

Bit disappointing as her YA is mandatory and she only gets the minimum maintenance loan. Would have been good to get some help with visa, insurance and travel costs.

Yes BC postings seem very variable. DD had a friend last year who was so lonely as a BC language assistant she became depressed and came back to the UK after 6 months. She then went off to Montreal for a language course. She was only doing French so just needed to be in one country. I'm not sure the BC give you much choice. Others I know had a fantastic time - one in Reunion.

Yes, the lack of control over where you go (and the need to find your own accommodation) are clearly downsides.

I suspect DD may be a bit worried that as she started French ab initio she might actually find a uni course quite difficult. I guess it might be worth checking out doing a month's intensive language school before the uni semester starts?

More expense of course!!

@HPFA There are always summer courses if she’s worried. I am sure many are more than happy with language assistant placements.

DD only got a university sponsored room at Geneva uni because she applied on time. A friend didn’t get one and had to pay loads more. In Italy there was no uni accommodation, The girl who moved in took another student’s room in Italy in a private rental. Most unis don’t have accommodation in Europe as far as I know - but the Grande Ecole her then boyfriend attended did. So do homework on what you get. They don’t have giant halls of residence - 88,000 students attend Bologna university, DD would very much recommend Switzerland - but that was in Erasmus days!

Don't let starting French ab initio worry her, @HPFA. DS had to do a university course for his ab initio language as it was a condition of his second language country's visa that exchange students couldn't work, and it was fine. They test them to see the level then put them in the correct classes.

@mimbleandlittlemy Ab initio is usually separated here in y1. Probably not y2. At university abroad, in y3, you sign up for the classes and turn up. DD’s ab initio friends did the same.

Thank you. It might be more me that's worrying as last time I heard her speak French she was pronouncing "faim" as fame.

But that was nearly a year ago and hopefully she's progressd since then!!

They've all been told to apply to at least one uni anyway in case they don't get a job.

The unis on the exchange list are in some lovely holiday locations....

@HPFA Is DD at Bristol? Oh yes - two holidays fondly remembered. They might get more applicants than places at popular unis - do check on how they choose who goes.

No, she's at Aberystwyth. There's a lovely list of exchange unis including Perpignan, Montpellier, La Rochelle, Bordeaux.....

I think she's quite tempted by Perpignan for being able to take trips to Spain as well.

She has things slightly easier as she has an Irish passport - so if she tried being a language assistant and hated it she would have the option to stay in France and try and get a job. Obviously that would be very much something you hope doesn't happen.

@HPFA Aber have access to Taith funding as well as Turing. DD has had two awards for summer travel (not compulsory but related to her dissertation). It wasn't means assessed either.

Yes, I'm hoping Taith will ne a bit better than Turing.

Although if Reform win the Senedd elections they'll probably get rid of it....