A visit to Warsaw nine years ago from one group of French exchange students led to another group of French students visiting Warsaw this past week.
In 1999, Warsaw Community High School French teacher Dave Chastain said, a group of French students visited Warsaw. One of those students ended up later staying in the U.S. for about 3-1/2 years, working on a farm. When that student got married in August 2007, Chastain met Lycee Saint AndreA Principal Jean Luc Chartier at the wedding. Chastain told Chartier that he would be interested in Lycee Saint AndreA and WCHS participating in an exchange.After returning to Niort, France, Chartier passed Chastain's information along to teacher Mickael Delion. Delion and Chastain began communicating through e-mails. Their students then began chatting with each other and sending videos back and forth.
On Nov. 18, Delion, Chartier and 16 of their students arrived in Warsaw. It is hoped by both schools that 10 WCHS students will visit France in 2009 to complete the circle. Chastain said they also hope to exchange one or two of their best students every year. The French students are staying in Warsaw until Friday.
The complete trip from Niort to Warsaw took about 24-25 hours, Delion said. From Niort to Poitiers, France, they had to take a one-hour bus ride. From Poitiers to Paris, it was about a 2-1/2-hour train ride. The flight from Paris to Chicago, Ill., was about nine more hours. Then from there, another bus ride to Warsaw.
"It was a busy and long day," said Delion.
After arriving in Warsaw Nov. 18, Delion said, WCHS had a pool party for all the students Nov. 19. Friday, there was a dance in the French students' honor.
"We really had fun," Delion said.
Saturday was a big day for the French students. They spent the day in Chicago. The trip to Chicago was the first time for many of the French students to see a skyscraper. Many of the students are visiting the U.S. for the first time.
Monday was a pizza party at Pizza Hut.
"Everything is perfectly organized. We really appreciate Dave Chastain doing all that," said Delion.
The French group admitted to seeing many differences between the U.S. and France.
"It's very different than France because we have, in France, open schools. Here it's a closed schools. American students are very nice, but it seems to be they work not too much," said Chartier.
While American teens can drive at 16 years old, in Europe, no one under 18 is allowed to drive. Because of that, Delion said, U.S. teens' priorities are different. Also in France, schools don't have inter-scholastic sports programs. Students are in school until 5 p.m. and sports are sponsored by clubs or organizations. French students don't have time for jobs and cars, Delion said.
Delion also said French schools are more formal than American schools. Here, students joke with teachers and are on a friendly basis, he said.
"I think most (American students) don't really know what to do later on so as soon as it gets difficult, they want to drop out," said Delion.
Three of the French students sat down to talk about their impressions about America.
"More is bigger" in America, said Marine Arramon. "Houses and buildings, all is more bigger than in France. The school is bigger."
"Very nice (people)," said Arnaud Goimard.
"The school food is not very good," said Julie Pagnucco. "I think America and France are very different, but good different."
Arramon said America turned out to be just like she thought it would be. There have been no surprises for her. "I have seen the photographs and it's like I imagined," she said.
The highlight for all three of them was Chicago. "Very, very, very, very big city," said Pagnucco. "Very pretty. We had a very funny moment with other people there."
In France, she said there is no place like Chicago.
While the French students seemed to know what to expect in the U.S., Arramon said, Americans don't know too much about France. She said they had to tell the people they've met about their home country.
In the U.S., Arramon said math is very simple and easy. At first, with the language issue, it's a little hard, but once that's no longer an issue, the math is easy.
Pagnucco said American teens keep their distance from one another. In France, they will kiss each other on the cheek.
Arramon also noticed the close relationship students and teachers have in the U.S. In France, students do not know anything about their teachers' private lives and families. They would never invite them home.
"It's better in America," said Arramon.
Their visit to Warsaw has been helpful, they agreed.
"I think my English is better. It's very interesting because we learn a different way of life in America," said Pagnucco.
Arramon said they've taken a lot of photographs during their visit. And it's cheaper to shop in the U.S. than France, she said.
"I think we can say a very big thanks to all the students because we had a very good welcome," said Pagnucco. "All are very nice."
