Gerry was a 63-year-old retiree, when the chance to apply for an exchange program for the last semester of his Diploma of Languages course, at the University of La Rochelle France, became a reality.

 The opportunity: four months in France, living as a student and doing all his course in French, sponsored by a generous sponsorship attached to his hometown university. Viva la opportunity!!   

 I really enjoyed it, not only because of the link to language learning, but because Gerry demonstrated courage and grit to get himself set up, to struggle through the classes and put himself out into the French community. He pushed his own boundaries and learnt about himself and what he valued.

 If you have an interest in Frances’ western seaboard, and the towns and villages in that area I think you will enjoy his journeys out to discover this part of the country and meet the locals.

 I am not at all ‘sporty’ but I learnt a lot about how tv and radio works and sports broadcasting. Gerry has had a long successful commentator career covering Olympic games and major sporting events. Who would have thought that sports commentary would allow you to visit France over many years and develop your language skills. Very interesting.

 His book also made me realise that I had been missing out on an avenue to improve my own French. In Chapter 30, Radio France, he talks about the wide variety of radio stations that international audiences can listen into. Quiz shows (the Game of 1000 Euros) , general interest programs and cooking shows (France Inter)  all helped him hone his ear and hear native speakers. I am certainly going to see if I can access these stations from here in New Zealand. They sound like the real Maccoy…

 This book felt real and life like – it is hard being by yourself, away from family and friends, doing your dream and setting yourself scary goals but it is possible.

 So, if a 63-year-old ‘Aussie’ can do this, what’s stopping me (or you) from having your own adventure??

 Let me know if any of you have done a language course like this in France, I would love to hear.

 The next day – a little footnote that I thought about last night,  another thing I liked – he has obviously been learning the language for a long time, years, and years, but he was still nervous and unconfident when he had to speak in public or write an essay. How important it is to hear from people that feel like you feel sometimes learning a new skill. Thank you, Gerry, for reminding me that we all have to go through the hard stuff sometimes to achieve a dearly held goal.