The best way to learn French is to be immersed in it.
Spending one year in a french speaking country is perfect. If you do not have this amount of free time, you can still live in a french speaking country for a few months, you will learn a lot. In this case, the best is to study before in your own country so that when you arrive you do not loose time learning the basics.

Once you are in a french speaking country, you need of course to enroll in a french foreign language school ( take an intensive class if you can't stay for a long time). Also, try to participate to all cultural activities that are offered to you. Meeting french native speakers and speaking is very helpful, but difficult as first because native speakers do not speak as slowly as your teachers!
Also, living with a french host family is 100% better than in a student residence where you will probably be with other foreigners : you will then communicate either in english or in your mother tongue.

If you need more advice, do not hesitate to contact us at inflexyon