I completely agree with my colleague: these long-term language stays have incredible value. I did my studies, a long time ago, at the Memorial University of Newfoundland. It required a language stay of at least one semester and preferably one year. So the students' level of French was very good. Applying that requirement at our universities and finding a way to fund these stays so that they aren't just accessible to students who are well to do would be a considerable asset.
On April 30th, 2009. See this statement in context.