Between March 23 and April 1, 13 quarta students from our school took part in an exchange stay at our partner school, Lycée La Mennais, in Ploërmel, France. The trip was supervised by teachers Markéta Hofmanová and Radka Taichmanová. The program focused mainly on exploring cultural differences, developing language skills, and discovering French culture and everyday life. Students had the chance to experience daily life with French host families, attend classes at the local school, and work on a joint project with their French peers.
The program also included sightseeing trips and excursions. Students visited the historically significant city of Verdun, the Palace of Versailles, Mont-Saint-Michel, Saint-Malo, Vannes, Paris with the Eiffel Tower, and the Brocéliande forest, known for its local myths and legends. The stay thus combined culture, geography, nature, and history. There were also shared activities such as bowling, laser tag, and making traditional galettes. The whole trip had a friendly atmosphere and gave students many new experiences, memories, and opportunities to use a foreign language in real-life situations.
Did you visit any interesting places? What caught your attention?
–Matěj T. answers
We went to Verdun and Fort Douaumont, where we also had a guided tour. It was very interesting. We also visited Reims, which has a beautiful cathedral, and the whole town felt really pleasant. We also went to Versailles, a place I had definitely wanted to see beforehand. For me, the most fascinating place was Mont Saint-Michel — it was simply magnificent, you could feel the history in it. We also went to Saint-Malo, which was truly a beautiful spot as well. The combination of a historic town and the sea was just amazing. We also visited Paris and Vannes, both beautiful cities.
What was it like being in class with foreign students?
–Lucka answers
It was a very interesting and pleasant experience. Even though we only took part in two lessons, it was clear the teachers tried to include us in the class at least a little, which I really appreciated. We worked in small groups that always had one Czech student and several French students, which helped us get to know each other and work together better. The students were very kind and friendly, and tried to communicate with us in English, even though it wasn't always easy for some of them. It was interesting to see the differences in their English level — some spoke fluently, others were still learning. Overall, though, it felt natural and friendly.
What was the nicest part of living with a host family?
–Eliška answers
The nicest part of staying with the family for me was the atmosphere at home. It wasn't my first exchange stay, but this one was probably the best. Dinners had a lovely atmosphere — we always talked for a long time about our days and laughed a lot. Overall, the way they welcomed me into their home was really nice. We played various games together, and whenever I needed or wanted something, it was never a problem to arrange. I also got to try their traditional dishes, since they decided to cook them for me.
Did you try any local food? How did it taste?
–Michal answers
I tried lots of different kinds of pastries and cakes that I bought at local bakeries. My host family also served me a lot of seafood and let me try various desserts, like macarons and crêpes. The food was quite different from Czech food, but it didn't taste bad at all — the family always asked me first whether I wanted to try something, for example whether I minded breaking the heads off shrimp. Some of the sweet dishes were a bit much, though — they were extremely rich and had very large sugar crystals. But overall, the food was perfectly fine.
What was the hardest part of working together?
–Lea answers
I think the hardest part was communicating with the French students in English during our teamwork. While working on the project, one student didn't understand half of what I told her in English and asked another student, whose English was better, to translate it into French for her. That student then answered her in French instead of answering me directly in English — so the second student had to translate the answer to my question from French back into English for me.
Did you learn anything new about their customs or way of life?
–Martin answers
In my host family, everyone ate at the table without plates — though of course that was only for bread and food that wouldn't spill all over the table. I don't know anyone back home in the Czech Republic who eats without a plate, no matter what they're eating. My host family also often ate pre-prepared convenience food. When greeting each other, they also give two kisses on the cheek, which isn't common in the Czech Republic. They also told me they gather for a hot dinner almost every evening, which isn't something I'm used to — at home we only all sit down together for lunch on weekends at most.
How did you feel on the first and last day?
–Monča answers
The first thing I'd mention is meeting new people — before arriving, I was a bit skeptical about whether the French students would be as willing to talk to me as I was to them, since we'd been told the French don't speak much English. But by the end of the week, I was really sad to leave the local school, its students, and especially my host family, who were wonderful. By the end of the week I also felt much more confident speaking English, and a few of the French students even complimented my accent, which gave my confidence a boost too.
What advice would you give someone going on the exchange next time?
–Matěj S. answers
There's really nothing to be afraid of. Even if it seems unpleasant or strange at first, it works out well in the end. You'll start to get along with your host family after just a few days and get used to each other. I think it's completely normal to feel a bit nervous or unsure at the beginning, but that feeling passes quickly. If you're ever unsure about something, don't be afraid to ask anyone around you — people are usually happy to help. The important thing is to stay calm, stay open, and not be afraid to communicate. You'll gradually realize it's not nearly as hard as it seemed at first.
