In February 2024, 20 lucky French students will make the trip all the way from Paris to Brookfield to experience a taste of American culture. They carry with them hopes, curiosities, and a yearning for new experiences which will surely be satisfied in the three weeks they will spend in the place we call home. On a similar note, students at Brookfield Central are also presented with a very special opportunity: the chance to host an exchange student and potentially create friendships that will last for a lifetime.
Madame Tipton, French teacher at Brookfield Central remarked, “Hosting a French student is a great way to bring a different culture into your home. Hosting a student from another country can teach you about your own world and make you see things in another light. Often, the American high school experience is very romanticized by Europeans and things as little as lockers or yellow school buses are so cool! By hosting a student from another country, Lancers will make international connections that will last forever.”
Students taking French at Central were first introduced to the idea of hosting in late October, with priority given to those in more experienced classes. However, taking French at Central is not required; this program is open to anyone as long as they have a place to stay, a separate bed for the exchange student, and someone in the family of similar age and same gender. As long as these conditions are met, exchange students will immerse themselves fully in the day-to-day life of their host families, which even means going to school and taking part in all of their activities! While these exchange students will face various new experiences, they all are a part of a special program that teaches them English–this ensures that they are more easily able to communicate their needs and connect with their families. It should also be noted that all exchange students are covered by insurance in case anything unexpected occurs.
Not only is hosting a fulfilling and exciting experience, but it is also something that will continue to pay off in the future. French students at Central who choose to host are given a $200 scholarship for the France trip that will take place in the summer of 2025, a trip that has historically been quite expensive. In addition, making a friend from halfway across the world is an incredible opportunity. Many French students who have been hosts are looking forward to the exchange program and encourage others to host as well; so far, only 4 Lancers have agreed to host the exchange students, so there is plenty of room for more host families!
In conclusion, the French exchange program from February 3 to February 22, 2024 is an exciting experience that will benefit both the foreign students and students at Brookfield Central. The knowledge gained from language and cultural immersion will likely help host families in the future, as well as the exchange students who are learning English. Finally, while the experience only lasts a few weeks, the potential friendships last a lifetime.
For hosting questions or more information about the exchange program, see Madame Tipton in room 2023 or send her an email ([email protected])!
