Introductory Meeting VRHS Rm. 501

September 11, 2014

2014-2016Franco-American Exchange Program

Overall Purpose of ExchangeTo provide students currently studying

French a two-year language enrichment opportunity

To provide students an inside view of French culture

To provide a two-week home-stay with a French family: greatest challenge, but greatest reward

To provide a student from France studying English a similar home-stay here in Georgia

To share your French friend with your family and community; repaying your host’s hospitality

Other Rewards

Possibilities for life-long friendshipsLearn how to travel safely and confidently

abroadExperience first-hand much of the history, art

and music that you have learned about in other classes

Try new foods, experience life from a new perspective

Possibility of a Paris visit

Our Destination

France

Map of Alsace-Lorraine

Our first exchange-2005 – a small beginningThis is the Administration Building of the Mendès-France High School Epinal, France

Mendès-France Campus

A typical school cafeteria?

Hmmm…French fast food..

A typical home of the region Our students will be matched with students from our host school . They will correspond with each other throughout the two-year exchange.

Typical ItineraryDepart Atlanta,

Sunday, May 31, 2015Arrive Paris

Monday , June 1Bus to Epinal Students will be

picked up by familiesStudents will attend

school with their hostsSome days we will

take excursions.Return to ParisDepart June 14, 2015

Excursions will include:

TheLorraine region:Discovery of Epinal,

Nancy, St. Dié, Domrémy(Joan of Arc’s birthplace), Grand (Roman amphitheatre and Mosaic)

There is also the possibility of a two-three day stay in Paris at an extra cost.

Budget: “How much does it cost?”A combination of

individual and shared expenses

Shared expenses will be split evenly between participants

$25 application feeTotal cost will be

split into 8 monthly payments

Trip cost DOES NOT include: passport fees, pocket money, or gifts to host families

2012 Trip ExpensesSeven participants Total per

participant $2670 $353 per monthly

installmentTotal cost included:

airfare, ground transportation, daily excursions, three -day Paris extension, chaperones, insurance

Personal Expenses:o Passport Book (Age

16 & Older) $135 oro Passport Book

(Under Age 16) $85o Spending money-

approximately $300oGifts for host family

$50

How do I Apply?Complete the Host Information FormAgree to the Conditions of ParticipationComplete the two release forms-one for

France and one for VRHSTurn in to Mrs. Miller by:

Tuesday, September 23, 2014, along with $25 fee

When will I know if I have been accepted?You will be notified by September 25 if you

have been accepted into the program.Once you are accepted, you and your parents

will need to attend the Oct 2 Parent Organizational Meeting at 7:00 pm.

At that time, we will verify that the trip is set, we will organize payment due dates, look at travel supplies and suitcase issues, etc. Parents and students will meet again in April to finalize details.

Student MeetingsAttendance is required by all participants.We will meet monthly at the school, on Sunday

afternoons from 2:00 till 4:00 pm.These meetings will:

-provide you with necessary skills for safe traveling.

-give you the background knowledge to appreciate what you will be experiencing.

-show me your reliability, responsibility and interest.

-build group cohesion.

Questions?We hope to have you join us on our journey into a new world of international fun , friendship and learning…

There’s nothing quite like home-made blueberry pie at a guest house high in the Vosges mountains!