During spring break, students traveled to France for a two-week cultural immersion, the 8th time PolyGlobal has run this trip. From staying with hosts in the city of Mâcon to exploring iconic landmarks in Paris, the students on this trip got a better understanding of the French lifestyle while strengthening their language skills.
The group began their trip in Mâcon, where they resided with host families and immersed themselves in daily life in France. Sophomore Ella Dan shared, “We visited our hosts’ high school, Notre-Dâme Ozanam High School, and for the others, we did day trips around the area. We went to Lyon, Cluny, Château de Fléchères, and the Rock of Solutré.”
Adapting to life in France came with both surprises and challenges. Sophomore Natalia Lakoff reflected, “Something that really surprised me was the differences between American and French high schools, particularly their schedules. French high schools typically start at 8:00 am and end at around 6:00 pm.”
Alongside these cultural differences, students also faced language barriers. Freshman Abby Cunningham explained, “The biggest challenge was navigating daily life in French. People speak quickly and use casual language that you don’t always learn in class.”
After their stay in Burgundy, the group traveled to Paris, where they visited world-famous landmarks such as the Louvre Museum, Luxembourg Gardens, Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Palace of Versailles. Sophomore Vanessa Lin shared, “The most memorable part of the trip was walking around Paris. I loved the architecture, and the buildings were so beautiful. I also really enjoyed eating crêpes.”
The trip, which was chaperoned by Upper School French teacher Marie Maillet and Upper School history teacher Sam Anderson, also offered meaningful learning opportunities for the teachers who accompanied the group. Dr. Anderson shared, “For me personally, I got to practice my French speaking skills and feel more comfortable speaking. I have studied French for a long time, so returning to the environment was great.”
Ultimately, his experience embodied the essence of the trip, as both students and teachers were able to hone their language skills and confidently apply them in real-life settings.