On September 8, a meeting was held in room 2505 about the 2015 French Exchange program. Organizers of the meeting were French teachers Linda Capuzelo and Elizabeth Hinsinger and language director Todd Bowen. Around 40 students and parents attended. The meeting started at 7:00 p.m. and lasted an hour.

People attending the meeting were shown a video journal made by students from last year’s exchange. Attendees were given a packet to fill out regarding their household information and student hobbies. Organizers will use this information to pair students up with French students who have similar interests and personalities.

The French high school students will come to Niles North from April 22 to May 5, 2015 during our school year when they have break. They will stay with the family of the student they have been paired with. The French kids will go to school with the American kids one whole day, to all their classes and experience what it feels like to go to school in an American school. The high school that is part of this exchange has different classes each day.

At home, parents are encouraged to take the exchange students to everyday activities such as grocery shopping. They are here to experience American life, and things that may seem boring to us may not be boring to them.

The American students will be going to Strasbourg, France in June for two weeks. Students will be staying with their French exchange student’s family for two weeks and will also go to school with the student for one whole day and spend time with their family. After staying at the host’s house, students will stay in Paris for four days and visit landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre.

This isn’t just a trip to practice speaking French for French students. All Niles Township students are encouraged to join. Many students who went on the trip had a life changing experience. One family has been friends with their exchange family for 25 years. “It’s these experiences that allow your child to become more and more of an adult,” Bowen said.

For more information, contact Madame Capuzelo ([email protected]), Madame Hinsinger ([email protected]), or Todd Bowen ([email protected]).