The above has been a long standing motto of the French department regarding the year that all language students must spend abroad as a course requirement. The compulsory year abroad is amazing for some and an absolute disaster for others. Whilst Lady Luck plays her part there is a lot that can be done to take control of your own destiny and do something memorable.
France is not the only option as destinations go. If you can secure an approved job or get a place as a student at a university overseas then it is more than likely that the French department will support your desire to get adventurous. In the past students have gained positions in Guadeloupe, Martinique, Senegal, French Guiana and Reunion (N.B. there are very few sites about Reunion worthy of consultation!)
Apart from the obvious attractions of life on the islands (including better pay), such posts give students valuable insights into the final year France Outside France course and are able to supply a completely different angle to the oral topics in the final year. The university is fortunate enough to have an exchange system set up with the universities of Dakar (Senegal) and Tunis (Tunisia) and is keen to expand upon these links. The choice could well be one between a mediocre year and as the department loves to say "the best year of your life".
Details of requirements for the year abroad are listed at the French Departments Requirements for Residence Abroad site.
If you were abroad last year then please leave details of any job contacts which students may be able to follow up for next year on the On line Seminar.
If you are in a position to offer a years employment to an English speaker in a French speaking country then please leave your details on the On line Seminar and the university will contact you as soon as possible - and thank you!
If you are planning to go somewhere, do some snooping first at the Lonely Planet site.