Bonjour, Amérique

International students discover American culture and high school education

by Laura Shareshian features staff

Sophomore Matteo Mina was one of the seven students visiting from Annecy, France, April 7-19. Each student “shadowed” a Ladue student currently enrolled in the French program by following the same schedule and attending the same classes.

“The flight was long; we took the first plane from Switzerland to Paris, that was an hour or two hours,” Mina said. “The second plane was 10 hours.”

Mina’s adjustment was not as difficult or unfamiliar as one might think, as this was actually his second time participating in a foreign exchange program. In 2022, he spent three weeks of sophomore summer in a small city outside Sacramento, Calif.

“The first time [I came to the U.S.], my parents imposed me to just get out of the house and take a plane to explore another country and improve my English,” Mina said. “This time we [came] here with my class.”

Of his two experiences, Mina prefers the latter.

“I think I prefer here because I go to the school,” Mina said. “So I discover a new thing.”

Sophomore Eva Mauro, another of the seven students, noted similar differences.

“Teachers are more mean [in France],” Mauro said. “Like, you can't just have your phone. You don't have [a] laptop. You can't listen to music. You don't eat. You just have to listen and write what the teacher says.”

Mauro was hosted by the Cobaugh family, and shadowed junior Violet Cobaugh. During her stay, Mauro noticed other school-related variations.

High school students at Saint-Michel Annecy attend school from 8 a.m.- 6 p.m.. For Mauro, a typical evening following the 10-hour school day includes two hours of going out with friends, then two more of homework.

“In France, we have 12 subjects in common with everyone else,” Mauro said. “As options, we have like Chinese and more science, like computer coding.”

In 2021-22,

948,519

There Were International Students

Top 9 Countries Students Are From

China

Still, cultural differences go beyond the classroom – dress, recreation and everyday interaction can take different forms for French students, according to Mauro and sophomore Richard Sanz, who stayed with junior John Scudi.

“The school is more cool and welcoming,” Sanz said. “In France, people [are] very sad.”

Sanz took part in the program to improve his English and discover American culture. He would like to return to the U.S. and explore other locations, like New York City.

Although they were 4,500 miles away from home, the students maintained a sense of connection.

“Sometimes it's difficult, but you can call your family,” Sanz said.

Alongside keeping in contact with family back home, the visiting students found a sense of belonging and close connections with their host families.

Sources: Ivypanda. com, Statista

“The two weeks [Mauro] was here [were] probably the two best weeks I’ve had this year,” Cobaugh said. “I hope she can visit again or I can go visit her because I already miss her so much."

LEFT: Sophomore Eva Mauro fnishes dinner with her friend. She found that American students spent their recreational time differently. “In France, we [go to] more restaurants and more adult things for [Americans],” Mauro said. (Photo courtesy of Eva Mauro)

ABOVE RIGHT: The French students and their hosts eat dinner together. Exploring St. Louis was an enriching experience for the visiting students. “[I loved] showing her around St. Louis and hanging out with all the other exchange students," junior Violet Cobaugh said. (Photo courtesy of Violet Cobaugh)

BOTTOM RIGHT: The visiting students shadow their hosts. Their school in France, Saint-Michel Annecy, provided a different environment. “Teachers are more mean [in France],” Mauro said. (Photo courtesy of Violet Cobaugh)