A group of fifty pupils from Hampton School and neighbouring LEH School, both based in Hampton travelled to Paris on 23 March to complete a French visit as part of an exchange programme. Both schools have taken part in the exchange for many years and 2018 marked the ten year anniversary of the arrangement with students from Paris-based  Notre Dame de Sion School.

The French students came to England first and each pupil spent a week staying in the house of their exchange partner. This was a great opportunity for the students to improve their language skills and see what it was like to live in England. A busy agenda was arranged whilst the Hampton boys and LEH girls were in lessons and the French students set off each day to visit many popular sites such as Hampton Court Palace, Greenwich, Windsor Castle, the Science Museum and perhaps the most popular, the Harry Potter Studios. At weekends it was the responsibility of the host family to entertain their guests and in my house, we took our French partner out and about to Chinatown, Covent Garden, Richmond Park and out for a traditional Sunday roast to list just a few. Walking in Chinatown with our guest in the snow that hit London a few weeks ago was particularly memorable.  From what I hear, all the French guests really enjoyed their visits and the snow made things even more fun and enjoyable.

Following the success of part one  of the exchange, I excitedly headed to Paris to stay with my host family also for a week. As we pulled into Paris Gare du Nord station, we all felt excited to be reunited with our exchange partners but also quite nervous about whether our French talking skills would be enough to get by.

I should not have worried because I went on to have such an adventure. My family could not have been more welcoming and although they talked so fast,  it wasn’t long before I started to really pick up so many phrases and new words. My journey into the city centre everyday on the Metro helped too and at dinner each evening, I had to answer questions in French from my host’s large family which was also excellent practice.

The Hampton and LEH students were treated to a fantastic variety of trips and visits every day.  At each location, we were given a very interesting talk, a tour and always some free time to explore. We packed in visits to the Notre Dame Cathedral, Montmartre, the Eiffel Tower and the Musee d’Orsay but also shopping and a boat trip. The weather was generally good apart from the visit to the Eiffel Tower which as you will see from the photo was wet and grey. We still had a great time in spite of the weather. 

I found it surprising how quickly I settled into a different house and one of my highlights was trying so many different foods. Every day my pack lunch was a feast. One evening I was treated to a meal out overlooking L’Arc de Triomphe. What a memorable evening. My host family also took me to the Paris Opera House. What an experience. 

The French exchange was an incredible experience and opportunity for all the students and not only did my French improve dramatically but I have made a new friend in Paris.