sixth Annual French Exchange Program 2018-2019 Cambridge High School, Milton, GA Lycée Vilgénis, Massy, France

How it came about . . . Dream: a yearly, mutual exchange with a French high school . . . 2012-13-Mme Dines contacts teacher friend in France, locates school, negotiates details & format, completes government paperwork, plans 2013-14—Inaugural Exchange! 2017-18 fifth annual exchange!

Lycée Vilgénis Public high school with diverse population 22 kilometers south of Paris, near Orly airport On the RER line (Paris region commuter train); 30 minutes from Paris; 20 minutes from Versailles Official “sister school” attracting more and more families interested in the “Atlanta program”

Lycée Vilgénis www.vilgénis.fr

Part 1: Cambridge Students go to France Ms. Dines & another teacher will accompany students Cambridge students stay with French host families and speak French Cambridge students attend school & do activities with the Vilgénis students some days; other days—Paris area trips. Nights & weekend—with French families

Part 1: Cambridge Students go to France October 3 (Wednesday evening)–October 13 (Saturday), 2018 Includes 5 missed school days (counts as school activity) Students will need a passport (expiring after April 18, 2019). Non-US citizens may need a visa or other paperwork. 3 level & above; willing to try to speak French and learn about other cultures; willing to represent Cambridge

You’re investing in. . . Your child’s world language education. (French exchange immersion hours > an entire school year of French immersion) Relationships in France that could last a lifetime Bonding with Cambridge classmates Great for transcripts, résumés, & college applications Gaining increased independence and global perspective in a controlled environment

French immersion homestay vs. tour Stay with a French family & participate in their lives (public transportation) Stay in a hotel; minimal interaction with French people (tour bus isolation) Learn to use French in an authentic way Speak minimal French (possibly only English) See a few historical sites thoroughly Spend a few minutes at many sites Do PAWS for cultural prep and debrief Limited support before & after Get to know the family and visit many times No lasting connections

Details, details Cost $2160 (less with more participants). Cost with FORUM includes: plane ticket French public transportation pass (RER, metro, bus) medical insurance private transportation to and from airport Seine river boat tour, entry to Louvre, Musée Cluny, Notre Dame towers, Versailles personnel to assist us in France Payments: Spread out over 4 months, paid online Please see the terms and conditions sheet

How do I sign up?? Fill in the Google Form Application Pick up the short answer portion of application and take it home to complete French teachers will look at these and give you the go-ahead Sign up online with Forum (deadline May 31st)

Just use the link you will be sent after application is approved. HOW DO I REGISTER? Registration deadline is May 31st. Even though we do not charge late registration fees, we strongly recommend all families to register by this date to guarantee your child’s spot on the trip. Just use the link you will be sent after application is approved. WHAT WILL I NEED TO REGISTER? Passport / Valid Passport Number – don’t worry if you don’t have one yet, you will still be able to register. Remember that passports must be valid at least 6 after your return date. We strongly recommend you register for a passport as soon as possible. Method of Payment: We accept credit/debit cards, checks, & money orders.

Questions?

Part 2: French students at Cambridge Mid-February, 2018. 30 students—need host families! Weekdays at CHS or on field trips; nights & weekend with host families English teacher Tiphaine Cabot and social studies teacher Corinne Chan, and French teacher Justine Viale will accompany the students.

How to host . . . It’s easy!! (and so rewarding.) Live your normal family life, and the French student participates. They come to school with your child(ren) everyday. Pick them up at MARTA (North Springs). They leave school directly for MARTA Gain lifetime friends and learn something new