During the last week of term 3, I, along with 21 other year 10 and 11 students studying French, had the chance to participate in a linguistic exchange organized by Madame Chu. We were accompanied by the wonderful Mr. Rouse, Madame Chu, and Ms. Kirkham, who made sure our trip was unforgettable. Our itinerary included spending two weeks in Nice with a host family, attending school with our exchange siblings, and exploring southern France. We then took a train to Paris to spend a week exploring the capital city.
The trip was an immersive experience that combined learning about modern life in France with the country’s rich historical and cultural aspects.
In Nice, we stayed with host families and attended school with our host siblings. I was fortunate to be paired with Clementine, who was like the French version of myself. The differences between Australian and French schools were striking, particularly the 10-hour school days, starting at 8 AM and ending at 6 PM, with a one-hour lunch break. My exchange sister, Chahinaz, studied 10 subjects, including four languages. There were no drinking fountains at school, and computers were not used during classes. I especially enjoyed the half-day on Wednesdays, even though it equated to a full school day in Australia. When we weren’t at school, we explored southern France, visiting places like Monaco, Eze, and Cannes. We also explored the city center of Nice, which is very different from Perth. On weekends, we engaged in activities with our host families. I explored Nice, enjoyed traditional dishes, learned about its history, and ate lots of ice cream. On one Saturday, we even drove 30 minutes to Italy, visiting markets in San Remo and hiking in the beautiful mountainside. Clementine and I were even adopted by a butterfly during our hike! My host family and I did so much in two weeks, including shopping, going to the beach, and attending their weekly choir and dance lessons.
I had an incredible time with my host family and am very grateful for their kindness. Sadly, after two weeks, we said a heartbreaking goodbye as I boarded a train to Paris.
After a six-hour train ride, we left our luggage at the hotel and headed straight to the Eiffel Tower. Watching the beautiful sunset and the Eiffel Tower sparkling was a perfect start to our time in Paris. We spent our days exploring Paris, visiting the Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Elysées, the obelisk, the catacombs, Château de Versailles, the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, and more. We dined at restaurants and in parks, creating unforgettable memories. One of my favorite memories was a river cruise on the Seine, where we saw locals relaxing and dancing by the river. We used metro cards to navigate the efficient Parisian metro system, which made our trip easier. Small groups took turns leading us to our destinations, testing our independence and knowledge of the public transport system. My favorite dining experience was at a restaurant with endless fondue and another where we tried escargot. I also enjoyed Bercy Village, where we had burgers and milkshakes from Five Guys.
Overall, the trip was a magnificent experience, and I am very grateful to everyone who made it possible, including my mum, my host family, Madame Chu, Mr. Rouse, Ms. Kirkham, and my fellow students. It was an unforgettable experience!
