That is what Kaikorai Valley College French pupil Joseph Vuli hopes to be immersed in when he travels to New Caledonia this month.
The 16-year-old won the trip after competing in the Alliance Francaise Concour Oral in August.
He was put into a national draw for a two-week stay in New Caledonia and won.
While the sun and sand would be a welcome break after long hours studying for NCEA exams, Joseph said he was also looking forward to putting his study into practice.
"I don't often get to have conversations in French.
"It's going to be interesting to see the mix of Pacific people with a French influence."
Joseph's passion for French has family roots.
He was born in Luxembourg - a French-speaking European country - and began studying French so he could return in the near future.
He plans to live and work there after qualifying as an accountant.
"I left there before I could remember anything, so it will be great to see what my birthplace is like. It will be great to experience the culture."
Joseph departs for New Caledonia on Thursday.
Ironically, the only thing stopping him from departing earlier is this week's NCEA French exam.
