Newman Smith Students Visit France
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On their first day of summer vacation, fourteen NewmanSmithHigh School students, along with their French teacher, David Hardy, boarded Flight #48 bound for Paris, France. They left as typical teenagers and returned 16 days later as world travelers who climbed the Arc de Triomphe, saw Paris from the top of the EiffelTower, lived in the homes of French natives and tasted many French delicacies.
During the first week of the trip, the students stayed in Alençon with the families of the French students that visited Carrollton in April. Students from both schools had been communicating via video conference during this past year. While in Alençon, the Smith students attended school with their host student, participated in their extra curricular activities, toured a stallion breeding palace built by Louis XIV, visited an 11th century castle, learned about the French government and enjoyed a picnic in a medieval town.
After a week in Alençon, the group continued through Normandy, where they explored Mont Saint Michel, walked on the beaches of Normandy, through the AmericanCemetery and the famous memorial museum. The last three days of the trip were spent in Paris, where they toured The Louvre and the EiffelTower, danced during the Fête de la Musique, admired Notre Dame Cathedral, and enjoyed the Paris arts district of Montmartre.
“One purpose of the trip was to give students not just a tourist's glimpse of France but insight into the life and rhythm of a French family” quoted David Hardy. “I wanted them to hear the language spoken in the most natural environment possible: between friends and family members”. According to Mr. Hardy, there were compliments from French teachers, families, hotel staff, and tour personnel throughout the trip about the behavior and attitudes of the students who participated. The tour guide said that she had never seen such a polite and interested group of students of any culture. They were great ambassadors of our country.
