Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Bonjour a Smithtown! (Hello to Smithtown!)

Last April a group of 17 students from Bretagne, France came to stay in the homes of some students from Smithtown High School West. Madame Gallagher was in charge of setting this exchange up with Monsieur Hassan El Amiri.

During the students’ two week stay, they had planned trips to the city, field trips to the other Smithtown schools and attended International Night. The group of French and Smithtown students became close and long term friendships were instantly made.

With many hours of free time, the group would plan many activities for everyone to get involved in, such as meeting up at Ralph’s Italian Ices on Maple Ave and going bowling at AMF Bowling. Going around Smithtown, one thing the students took notice of was our “huge cars!” They explained that the cars in Europe were much smaller. One French student Marie said, “Everything is bigger in the U.S.; the cars, the houses, and the people,” though she had meant it more as a compliment, that things were bigger and better in the U.S.

One Saturday the group all took another trip to the Big Apple. The French students were in awe as they looked at up at all the skyscrapers, all saying that the only one like it near them, was The Montparnasse Tower in Paris.

As the days passed by, the students got closer and closer to each other. They shared their cultures, different languages and homes. The French students also followed their host around school. One interesting fact they had brought up was that the Smithtown students were a lot more talkative and friendly with their teachers, explaining that their teachers were strict and rarely got into their personal lives.

Now almost six months after the exchange took place, the students are still communicating with their hosts through the internet. Both the Smithtown West students and the French students hope they’ll see their hosts again soon!

“The exchange was a great experience and I loved visiting New York and meeting everyone!” says Sophie Quillet.

“We loved the exchange and can’t wait to be back in New York!” says Nolwenn Vallin.

When asked if she would do another exchange, Madame Gallagher said that she has been working on it and Mr. Coady gave the thumbs up. She is still working on an exchange for the Smithtown students to go to Bretagne, France as well. Hopes are high and the students of Smithtown High School West are becoming more culturally aware.

-Kristin Bonura

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