Who doesn't dream of going to the Caribbean? And if you can also learn a foreign language - what a hit! For many, this will probably remain a dream, but anyone who wants to learn French and is therefore seriously looking for a language study destination should definitely consider Guadeloupe.
The archipelago of Guadeloupe is located in the Caribbean north of Venezuela and east of Cuba. The islands have an area of 1,600 square kilometers, which is roughly the size of the canton of Zurich. With 400,000 inhabitants, it has a population density of 245 inhabitants per square kilometer. This means that Guadeloupe is reasonably densely populated compared to other Caribbean islands.
Guadeloupe in the French Antilles consists of six inhabited islands and other small uninhabited islands. The country has two main islands: Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre. These two main islands are only 50 meters apart. The capital Basse-Terre is located in the far south.
Characterized by a wonderful landscape with hills and waterfalls, Guadeloupe is ideal for an exciting and varied language study trip. The beaches are fantastic and you can relax on a sun lounger under the palm trees. There are numerous tourist attractions on offer on the islands - so you'll never be bored during your language study trip to Guadeloupe. The offer ranges from volcano tours to excursions to the national park or diving to adventurous rides on motorcycles. Night owls are also well catered for here. Numerous pubs, bars and clubs with fiery rhythms provide a fun atmosphere. Guadeloupe offers such a diverse range of activities for a language study trip that it is sure to be an unforgettable experience.
Beautiful coastline of the island of Terre-de-Haut
A language study trip to Guadeloupe from Switzerland is certainly not a stone's throw away. Flights can be found for between 750 and 2000 francs, but the price can rise even more in the high season. If you are planning your language study trip, it is best to book your flight as early as possible. There are no direct flights from Zurich, which is why you often have to make stopovers in Paris or Amsterdam during your trip. The journey therefore usually takes 11-15 hours.
If you are traveling to Guadeloupe for a language study trip, you should allow at least three weeks. If you have less time and/or money available, you should consider language travel destinations in France, French-speaking Switzerland or Monaco.
The prevailing tropical climate in Guadeloupe ensures that temperatures vary very little throughout the year. The hottest months are July and August at around 31 degrees. It is cooler in January and February, with temperatures of 28 degrees in these months. At night, the temperature generally does not fall below 20 degrees Celsius. This means that the conditions for a language study trip to Guadeloupe are perfect all year round. However, the most popular time to travel is from December to April.
There is a wide range of language courses on offer in Guadeloupe. There are intensive courses with 30 lessons per week or standard courses with 20 lessons per week. It is also possible to take private lessons or book a combination of group and private lessons.
The type of course and its intensity depend heavily on the school and your own needs. If you like to have more free time, you should preferably choose a standard course. Combinations or intensive language courses can also make sense - the learning success is certainly much greater. It is important to compare the various offers and then think carefully about which language courses best suit your needs.
As Guadeloupe belongs to France, it is part of the European Union. Swiss nationals therefore only need a valid passport or identity card. As in Switzerland, Guadeloupe also requires you to carry an identity card for identification purposes at all times. Thanks to these simplified entry requirements, there is not much standing in the way of a longer language study trip.
Guadeloupe is a very safe place to live. Nevertheless, you should always keep an eye on wallets and valuables because of pickpockets. However, it is recommended to be vaccinated against the following diseases: diphtheria, hepatitis A, measles, poliomyelitis and tetanus. In some cases, vaccination against hepatitis B is also recommended.
Compared to other destinations, Guadeloupe is a rather expensive language travel destination. There are few one-week courses, usually you have to book at least two weeks of language school. The cost is around CHF 600 for a two-week standard course of 20 lessons and CHF 1,100 for an intensive course of 30 lessons.
If you want to go for a longer period, you will pay around CHF 6,600 for a 24-week standard course and around CHF 12,000 for a 24-week intensive course. In addition, there is accommodation and possibly a seasonal supplement.
Guadeloupe is therefore an incredibly attractive destination for language study trips, but requires a relatively large budget.
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