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Visiting French students share views of Algonquin and American experience

Six students from two different schools in France were paired with Algonquin students and their families during their approximately two weeks in the community. The French visitors attended classes and participated in various activities while they practiced their English and got a taste for life as an American high schooler. Harbinger reporters sat down with the visitors to learn about their experiences and perceptions.
Six students from two different schools in France were paired with Algonquin students and their families during their approximately two weeks in the community.
Six students from two different schools in France were paired with Algonquin students and their families during their approximately two weeks in the community.
Jay Edwards
Student at Lycee St. Andre in Villeneuve D’Ascq, Salome Decloquement, 15
Student at Lycee St. Andre in Villeneuve D’Ascq, Salome Decloquement, 15

What has been different from what you expected?

“The food, the meat, it’s much bigger. And the snacks; any time of the day someone is eating.”

What has your school experience been like at Algonquin?

“Very cool because I do so many things that are the same, but not really the same. I did some training with [my host student’s] football team [soccer].”

What has been the most surprising thing about Algonquin?

“The size. We have many students in France but my school is smaller…The relationship between students and teachers, it’s all very friendly [here].”

What has been the most fun part of your visit?

“Seeing the Taylor Swift movie. I was listening to Taylor Swift this morning.”

(Photo Jay Edwards)
Student at Lycee St. Andre in Villeneuve D’Ascq, Manon Dubruque, 15
Student at Lycee St. Andre in Villeneuve D’Ascq, Manon Dubruque, 15

What has been different from what you expected?

“French finish school at 5 p.m. We have a nine hour school days with a long lunch break and a 15 minute break every two hours. This is a big school.”

What has your school experience been like at Algonquin?

“I like it. Everybody is kind.” 

What has been the most surprising thing about Algonquin?

“It’s big. My school is little. I prefer a smaller school, [it is] much easier.” 

What has been the most fun part of your visit?

“I visited Boston and went on a Duck Tour.”

(Photo Jay Edwards)
Student at Lycee St. Andre in Villeneuve D’Ascq, Noe Lambin Ledez, 15
Student at Lycee St. Andre in Villeneuve D’Ascq, Noe Lambin Ledez, 15

What has been different from what you expected?

“All of the stereotypes have not been true. It’s less strict than I expected.”

What has your school experience been like at Algonquin?

“Great, food is good, better than in my high school. There is less work but the work is harder.”

What has been the most fun part of your visit?

“The football match.”

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

“I liked trying Chick-fil-A and hibachi.”

(Photo Jay Edwards)
Student at Saint-Etienne in Lycée St. Paul, Inès Yout, 17
Student at Saint-Etienne in Lycée St. Paul, Inès Yout, 17

What has your school experience been like at Algonquin?

“It is very interesting to see how schools in America are like, it’s completely different from French schools.” 

How is your high school in France different from Algonquin?

“Everything is much smaller and stricter in France; here it seems kind of free.”

What has been the most fun part of your visit?

“The French class in America.”

What might ARHS students enjoy if they visited France?

“Experiencing another country is always good. However, [France] is not like in the movies and online where it is all romance and good times. There are a lot of crimes in Paris, and it is more dangerous than you would think.”

(Photo Jay Edwards)
Student at Lycee St. Andre in Villeneuve D’Ascq, Lucas Thellier, 17
Student at Lycee St. Andre in Villeneuve D’Ascq, Lucas Thellier, 17

Before you visited, what were you expecting America to be like?

“It’s not my first time in the US; we went to North Carolina on our last trip.”

What has been different from what you expected?

“I never had any expectations about it, but how the landscapes are and all the leaves on the trees.”

What is something you dislike about America or have not enjoyed about your visit?

“I haven’t had any bad experiences so far.”

What has been the most surprising thing about Algonquin?

“It actually looks like those very cliché high schools in movies. It’s really portrayed like this, with all of the lockers.”

(Photo Jay Edwards)
Student at Saint-Étienne in Lycée St. Paul, Pauline Scalliet, 17
Student at Saint-Étienne in Lycée St. Paul, Pauline Scalliet, 17

What has been the most surprising thing about Algonquin?

“I think when studying you can use laptops and phones. In France, it is all on paper.”

What has been the most fun part of your visit?

“French class is fun; the teacher is nice.”

What is something you dislike about America or have not enjoyed about your visit?

“The food is good, but it’s not very healthy, it’s salty. [In France,] every day we choose between fruits, meats, fish [and] veggies; I like my school food better.”

What has your school experience been like at Algonquin?

“It was cool to discover new things, you have a lot of different subjects. I tried to go in every one I can. In gym we played baseball; it was fun, very American.”

(Photo Jay Edwards)
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Jax Jackson
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Jax has been involved with the Harbinger since his freshman year as a graphic designer, but taking Journalism as a junior got him truly excited about journalism. He has discovered a passion for storytelling, advocating through his work and sharing news, recently becoming an Editor-in-Chief. In his free time, Jax enjoys playing tennis, ceramics and performing music.
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Laney took Journalism her junior year and has since become an Editor-in-Chief. One of her favorite things about working on the Harbinger is being able to share her writing with the community. In her free time, Laney enjoys playing field hockey, track and the saxophone as well as hanging out with her friends.
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