Beth Kenny
Peters Township High School French and Foreign Exchange students get together at Simmons Farm for a fun final night together.
On Friday October 9, Peters Township High School welcomed twenty five French foreign exchange students. This unique opportunity was exciting and highly anticipated by the high school French classes. The program run by Madame Chenevert hosts a group of French students who come every other year for roughly a week to explore the American lifestyle and enhance their language skills as well as help the French students’ improve their own language skills.
Student volunteers in AP or level III/IV French offered to house these students during their stay. This experience is not only unique but also a time to make meaningful connections and develop memories.
“Since I was ten years old, I wanted to live in the United States. It was a good experience to see if American life was for me.” said sixteen year old Constance S. She was grateful to get a preview of an average American teenager’s everyday life.
High school French students were responsible for showing their French friends unique American customs and providing experiences such as visiting the Heinz History Museum in Pittsburgh and going to the Peters High School football game. Students followed their American mentors during a regular high day of school. They also visited popular fast food restaurants and malls, and experienced other aspects of American teenage culture.
French students and their mentors participated in various preplanned activities throughout the week. For example, on Saturday October 18, all the students went to Simmons Farm for a final get together before the French students departed on Sunday for a long trip back to Royan.
“ I think the program has brought two very valuable people into my life who I plan to have a lifelong friendship with,” said junior level IV student Grace K. referring to the two students, Josephine L and Constance S, whom her family hosted during the visit.
The two girls and Grace K have been talking online for months leading up to this week, having a friendship already established. They all plan to stay in contact and continue their friendships in the future.