Fort-de-France, Martinique - c
olourful, compact, organised, sleek, narrow
I was an exchange student at the Université des Antilles-Guyane for about 4 months. I enjoyed my time there, although it wasn't entirely what I expected. I was quite stunned at first at how architecturally French-looking the town was, although the colours were more of a Caribbean palette. I liked studying as it meant I had free time to travel to close-by islands, like St Lucia and Barbados, but I was also quite happy to take in the Martinican air and travel around the island by foot most of the time! Martinique: not as famous as its neighbouring islands, but just as gripping! I didn't want to leave and who could blame me?!
Useful local words: 'P'tit ponch'.
What not to pack: Heavy, dark clothing such as denim and black T-shirts: you'll sweat like a swine in the midday heat.
What to pack: LOTS of linen and light-weight clothing. Shorts and flip-flops are a must.
Couldn't have done without: Sunblock and after-sun.
Word of advice: Live with a Martinican family, or at least with a Martinican student so you can get to grips with the language. They may seem a little hard to befriend at first, but they'll soon open up to you!
KT, French and Politics, Bristol University
