Madame Fall discusses the impending trip, and brings out Euros to help familiarize the students with the money in France (MyBayCity Photo by Taylor Lutz)
First meeting held for 2013 French Exchange Program
Students throughout the district prepare for upcoming trip to France
February 1, 2013
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By: Taylor Lutz
Seven 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students from the Bay City Public School district gathered in the McAlear-Sawden Elementary School Media Center on Wednesday to discuss their upcoming trip to France.
The students will be traveling to Lyon France for two weeks this March, as a part of the French Exchange program organized by Madame Fall, French teacher at both McAlear-Sawden and Hampton Elementary Schools. Funding for this trip, according to Fall, comes 100% through fundraising and donations."
At the meeting, Fall discussed important details of the trip with the participating students, including safety precautions while traveling in the city. The students began practicing their safety protocol for journeying through the city. Students were also able to ask questions about their trip, including what they were allowed to bring with them, and what they should wear.
While the final itinerary for the trip has not yet been established, Fall stated at the meeting that "We go on various field trips everyday." Students also have the opportunity to spend a day studying at a bilingual French school. During the duration of their trip, the students are expected to document their experiences in a journal, focusing on comparing and contrasting the United States and France; noting the things that are similar, as well as those that are different.
Students take a closer look
at the Euros provided by Madame Fall
Photo by Taylor Lutz
© MyBayCity.com
Fall hopes that the students will walk away from this trip with a new "Cultural appreciation," so that "in the future they will be more accepting of cultural differences." Fall stressed the idea that when traveling to a foreign country, "Things are different, not necessarily good or bad, just different."
Fall also noted that past participants in the program gained an "Increased level of confidence" while navigating throughout the city. The students expressed their own hopes for the trip, when asked what they thought they would gain from the experience, Leah Martin said "More intelligence" while Victoria Brandt said that "I will feel more responsible, I think I will feel older."
Wednesday's meeting was the first of many future meetings that will be held to prepare students, as well as their parents, for the impending trip.
Taylor Lutz
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Taylor Lutz is a student at Bay City Central. She is working toward a career in broadcast journalism and has an interest in the theater, the outdoors and Marine Biology.
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