What was Frank doing at the beginning of the conversation?

W: Hi, Frank. What are you up to? Is that really a French grammar book?
M: Well, I’m trying to teach myself some French. When I go to Montreal next semester, I don’t want to sound like just another tourist. Most of the people there are bilingual.
W: Leave Boston to go to Montreal? I didn’t know this university had a program in Canada.
M: It doesn’t. I’m planning to take a short leave of absence from school, so I can go there on my own.
W: What’s the reason for this sudden interest in Canada? M: Well, actually I’ve been thinking about going for some time now. I know someone there who’s been wanting me to visit.
W: A relative?
M: An old friend of my uncle’s runs a chemical engineering department there. So, I’m hoping he can help me enroll in some interesting courses.
W: If you want those credits transferred back here later on, you’d better arrange for it before you leave. Don’t forget what happened to Susan after she came back from Rome.
M: Yeah, but her situation was different. I already have all the credits I need to graduate.
W: So you’ll be taking courses just for the sake of learning.
M: That will be a nice change of pace, won’t it?