Experiences
Sarah Trivedi
2026
As a student at Pleasantville High School studying French, this exchange trip to Sète, France was an incredible opportunity to experience the language and culture firsthand. We attended classes at Lycée Joliot-Curie in Sète and visited the Faculté de Médecine at the University of Montpellier, the oldest medical school in the world, which was fascinating to explore. With my host family, I took a boat tour around Sète, where we saw many of the city’s beautiful boats and learned more about the island’s history. One of my favorite parts of the trip was staying with my host family. They had three children, and I spent a lot of time with my host sister, Kelly, as well as her friends. Through them, I was able to experience everyday life in France in a way that would not have been possible as a tourist. I enjoyed playing the grand piano in their home, sharing meals together, and trying authentic French foods. By the end of the trip, I had improved my French, learned more about French culture, and made memories and friendships that I will always remember and cherish.
Marco Schares
2026
As a Pleasantville HS student studying both Science Research and French, this exchange program combined so many things I care about — science, language, travel, and meeting new people. We attended a full day of classes in French at the Lycée Joliot-Curie in Sète, and even made the smell of bananas in chemistry class. We also visited the University of Montpellier’s Faculté de Médecine, the oldest medicine school in the world, and their evolution laboratory with incredibly old artifacts and fossils, which I found very interesting. Presenting my science project about sustainable aviation in French at Sèt’Expo Sciences was something I honestly would not have imagined myself being able to do even recently, and even though I was nervous beforehand, it ended up being one of the coolest and most rewarding parts of the experience.
My host family were some of the nicest people I have ever met, and spending time with them was one of the best parts of the trip. I got to explore Sète with my host brother and his friends, play basketball, visit the Escale à Sète boating festival, and experience everyday life in France in a way I never could as a tourist. I did my best to speak French the whole time with the host family — as my host mom later said, ‘Il n’a parlé avec nous qu’en français.’ I also had some of the best food I’ve had in a while — homemade bread from my host family, fresh oysters and mussels, real ratatouille, and even flan at school lunch — and by the end of the trip I had made so many new friends and connections
Yasmina Shouery
2026
Participating in this exchange program was unforgettable because it brought new perspectives. Getting the chance to attend this trip to learn about cultural differences, meeting new people, traveling, and exploring part of the country that we talk about weekly in french class was amazing. While in France we met new people, exchanged contact information, and still stay in touch with some of them today. During our trip we attended a french high school called Lycée Joliot-Curie, which gave us new perspectives and a better sense of student life in France. For example we got to compare cultural differences between students during an english class. Along with this, our group also visited a laboratory where we were able to view many fossils and other scientific collections. Towards the end of the trip all the American students got the opportunity to present their research projects in French at a science fair called the Sèt’Expo Sciences, allowing us to practice the language with other people. The parts of this trip that made the experience memorable however, was the amount of people we met throughout this trip. For example we met some students from the French high school who were interested in exchanging contact information because they wanted to learn more about student life in the U.S. Or we met people at the Sèt’Expo Sciences one of which was so excited to meet us that he brought us gifts and even preformed his presentation in english for us so he could practice. Throughout this trip we also got to make amazing and fun memories with two interns who were working with the Sèt’Expo Sciences. Also, the connections and memories we made with our host families was unforgettable. My host family was incredibly welcoming and kind and although communicating was often a struggle they were really patient, and understanding to help improve my French. Getting to explore parts of Sète and nearby cities with my host family was fun as we made connections. For instance, I played games with my host siblings such as Monopoly, and Clue which was really fun. But, I also got to connect with my host sister most of all as there was one day where we went for a walk down the beach and I cartwheeled down the beach with her. Therefore, beyond the activities, travelling, and visiting locations, most of all the best part was making new connections with people abroad that I formed along the way!