BY AASMAA DAMANI
On January 9, 16 students enrolled in the French program left for a ten-day trip to France with their teacher, Madam Harpreet Malhi. The language department partnered with a school in Nimes to provide students the opportunity to experience the sites and cultures of France.
The group stopped at various cities and towns in just ten days. “We visited Paris, Nîmes, Arles, Baux de Provence, Aigues Mortes, Montpelier and some other towns too,” said Julia Morgan.
The crew visited many sites with historical and cultural significance. “In Paris, we visited the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, and Sacre Coeur which is a historical church,” said Amisha DeSilva.
The artwork they saw mesmerized the students, who also got to see the real locations in some of the paintings. “Van Gogh painted many paintings in Arles, and we got to see all the places in which he made paintings,” said Desilva. “It was cool to see the resemblance between the painting and real life”.
Each student stayed with a host family in the area. “They were so welcoming and made me feel very comfortable. I was nervous to be in another country with strangers, but they became like family to me,” said DeSilva.
The annual trip afforded some students a chance to reunite with friends they met on previous trips. “I went on the trip last year, so I met the girl, Mathilde, who hosted me last year. Her family was incredibly welcoming, and I loved staying with them,” said Maria Petrova. “I grew close to every member of my host family, and I hope to see them again soon!”
The students’ host families provided food and lodging as well as emotional support. “My host family was extremely kind and took me in as one of their own. When I was feeling not-so-great the first few days in Nîmes, they took care of me and made the adjustment super easy,” said Allyson Cardona. “Overall, they made me feel so welcomed and even encouraged me to stay with them again in the future.”
Students immersed themselves in the French language, the main reason for the trip. “My favorite part of the trip was putting to use the language I’ve been learning for five years,” said Darriyah Jackson. “It was awesome to be able to communicate in another language and build relationships with the people I met.”
Lycée Albert Camus, the school the language department partnered with for the trip, offered a chance for students to experience European schools. “Their school’s layout was more spread out, so they were always walking around outside,” said Petrova. “It felt much more like going to college than high school because of the freedom they had there.”
Memories of the trip will remain forever. “I will remember making so many French friends,” said Morgan. “Everyone was so nice and so excited to make friends from different countries.”
Posted on 4/9/24
Photos provided by Amisha DeSilva, Madam Harpreet Malhi, Maria Petrova, and Allyson Cardona
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