Fontbonne Academy Students Participate in French Exchange Program

Fontbonne Academy seniors Meghan Collins, Katie Crosby, Mary Kate MacKenzie, and Alanna Sparagna traveled to France in June with French teacher Anke Herbert to participate in a France Exchange Program with a high school in Paris, St. Louis de Gonzague.  The students traveled first to Normandy where they toured the D-day Beaches, took a day trip to Mont St. Michel and enjoyed the town of Bayeux. 

 The group arrived back in Paris by train and were greeted by their French families.  While they had communicated through emails and Facebook, this was the first time meeting in person. The Fontbonne students and their "correspondantes," or French pen pals who attend the high school in Paris, explored Paris and destinations outside the city. They visited many of Paris' museums and historic sights, climbed the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower, and toured the gardens and castle of Versailles.

In living with the families, the Fontbonne students were immersed in the language for two weeks and were exposed to a different lifestyle and culture. The students look forward to hosting the French students in February 2011 and introducing them to life at Fontbonne Academy.

"The students really enjoyed themselves," said Herbert, "They loved seeing the sights of Paris, they made great connections and they are excited to see their French friends in February."