Much to Say and Learn in France

Valley Regional students spent their Thanksgiving break on the school's bi-annual trip to France. This year the group embarked on Nov. 18 and returned on Nov. 28. From visiting museums to staying with host families, the students came back with lifelong memories.

The trip began with a 7 p.m. flight from JFK to Charles de Gaulle Airport on Air France. The students boarded the bus and were driven to their first hotel, Hôtel du Palais Bourbon, where they were given time to relax and freshen up after the seven-hour flight. At 4 p.m. the students ventured to the Eiffel Tower for a tour and visited an open-air market. After an exhausting day of travel and tours, the students turned in for their first night in France.

On Sunday the students went to the world-renowned Louvre-one student remarked, "I was amazed at how small the Mona Lisa was in person."

Students were allowed to observe the artworks for a few hours and then they were off to the Champs-Élysées. After walking about the avenue students explored the market lining it.

Kathryn Wheaton, Valley Regional French teacher and chaperone, commented, "It was odd because there was this Christmas market and it was barely Thanksgiving."

Students stopped by Notre Dame to take pictures and then toured Musée Rodin. For dinner the group headed to a nearby restaurant where they dined on a three-course meal for only 25 euros. Students could try a variety of foods including rabbit, snails, and duck. Once the meal was done the group returned to the hotel as this was the last night in Paris.

The group took another flight from Charles de Gaulle to Toulouse at 10:25 a.m. The flight was barely an hour and students sat eagerly awaiting their hosts. After landing and collecting luggage students were greeted by their host families. In the previous year, the children of the host families came to Valley and stayed with their corresponding students. The students were driven to the Lycée Notre Dame school and given a tour, during which they met up with their foreign exchange students from last year. The group members were given the night to settle in with their new French family.

On Tuesday the students went to their first day of French classes. The students shadowed their hosts to all of their daily classes and participated, to the best of their ability, in discussions and conversations. Many of the Valley students were surprised to find that the French school had a two-hour lunch period.

"Getting to experience the life of a real French student and following their normal routine was definitely new to me. I was able to not only go to school with them, but return home and really 'Vive la France'," said Valley junior Norma Socci.

While the French students spent the rest of the day in classes, the Valley students went on a guided tour of Castres. After school and the tour ended, all students went back to their hosts' homes.

The next day held almost the same schedule with the exception that all of the students, American and French, left school at 12:30 p.m. The group enjoyed an afternoon of shopping and a tour of Carcassone. Inside the fortified chateau, the students walked, ate, and shopped. While on the tour the students were informed that the castle was where Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves with Kevin Costner was filmed. After the activity-packed day, the students went home to rest for the next day.

On Thursday, Thanksgiving day, the group went to the beginning of school and ate lunch with the host students. The Valley group then left for a guided tour of Albi, the Musée Toulouse-Lautrec, and the Cathédrale Ste. Cécile. Before they ended the day, the students went out for a Thanksgiving dinner of pizza and quiche.

Friday was the first day Valley students spent the entire day in the French school. Students said it was relaxing because the next day was filled with many events and tours. As described by the students, Saturday was comprised of a bus ride from Castres to Toulouse, visits to la rue Taur, the Basilique Saint Sernin, and the Capitole. Students were allowed to find lunch by themselves within the confines of the Place du Capitole. Soon after lunch the group toured the Hôtel d'Assézat and then returned back to their host families.

On Sunday students spent the entire day with their families. The boys, of which there were four, went to the Mediterranean. Most of the girls attended a rugby game. Both groups agreed that it was the perfect way to end the trip and say goodbye to their hosts. On Monday the Valley students spent their last day in the French school and parted with their previous exchange student. They took two flights home and arrived back in the U.S. around 10:30 p.m.

To most of the students this trip was more than a fun trip to visit France. They bonded with their hosts, French students, and each other.

Karli Bahner, a Valley senior, explained, "Overall I loved how even though we barely spoke the same language, we had so much to say and learn from each other about the different cultures and lifestyles."

The students all responded in a similar way, clarifying that though they may have different cultures and languages, it is always possible to relate and accept another person.

Emma Meeks, a senior, is interning at the Valley Courier as part of the district's School-to- Career program. Her columns provide an insider's view of life at Valley Regional High School.