Need opinions!

[ninwa]

One of my arts majors is French and I want to go on exchange to Paris. I was originally going to apply for one semester, but I was speaking to a girl the other day who is pretty much fluent and she was there for at least 8 months to get to that level.

So... should I go for a semester or a year? Has anyone had experience learning a language in the country of origin - how long it took to be conversant, fluent, etc? Do you improve much past the 6 month mark? (finances are no issue)

Thanks