I've been doing intensive French through IF. The teacher styles vary a lot (could be more consistent) but the quality of the teaching is consistently high. Intensive courses move fast and you must do homework. The teachers have high expectation and push you forward, but that's good to progress. Culturally I can see how their bluntness and dry humour might not sit well with some Brits or those who aren't willing to laugh at themselves, but as an Aussie I found it helped break the ice and challenge of learning a tough language.

It was Autumn 2020. When pandemic and lock down almost suffocated me, I found that London Film Festival was taking place. Excitedly, I went to the premiere of the Pixar movie 'Soul' in the Institut francais (French Institute of the United Kingdom). The film itself needs no more description – it is talked about everywhere in 2021. Touched by the film's great story, I left the institute with tears but optimism, and a positive first impression. It is a cozy yet exquisite place with spaces designed for both entertainment and educational purposes. My mind lingered in the story for a few hours, when I entered the Hyde Park, about 15 minutes' walk away – although I certainely did not pay attention to where I was going. Through the park entrance, a mountain of golden-yellow leaves filled my eyes (Picture 1), and I smiled like a child immediately. Immersed in the nature's beauty, I played in the park for almost 2 hours until my stomach sung. Then I picked up a few leaves home and put them on my musical notation (Picture 2). Well, it is more than a story about movie and leaves. As a PhD student I was struggling with my research data collection during the pandemic. I was supposed to complete half of that by Autumn 2020 already, yet I did not. The calm & gentle atmosphere in the Institut francais, the wonderful & touching film, and the bright & soft leaves uplifted the then devastated me. After that day, I regained my strength and motivation to continue my research, and I succeeded in having all the data that I need. Now I am in the final stage of my PhD. And I could not be more thankful for this uplifting experience. Thank you, the Institut francais, I am very happy that I have come to meet you. Hope we can meet again in future. *Picture 3: Open your heart, you will find that 'the Great Beyond' is not the end.