Participants should be between the ages of 16 and 18 at the date of departure from Australia and they will be matched with a host family based on common interests and academic record. There is a stringent screening and interview process.
To Language Co-ordinators and all teachers of French, G·E·T Educational Tours is extremely pleased to again offer our very special “Living Lessons” French Lycée / Homestay Exchange Program available to your students of French. In conjunction with CEI-Club des 4 Vents in France, we have developed this program offering students the experience of a lifetime as a member of a volunteer French host family while studying in a local school. As short as 2 months, 6 months or as long as 10 months - this unique program - allows your student to gain a mastery of the French language and provides them with the opportunity to comprehensively immerse themselves in the French culture and way of life. Note that this is NOT an “exchange program” where Australian parents are required to reciprocate by hosting a French student. Participants should be between the ages of 16 and 18 at the date of departure from Australia. They will be matched with a host family based on common interests and academic record. There is a stringent screening and interview process to ensure the program is right for the student and that they are equipped to get the best from the experience. G·E·T Educational Tours has 50 years experience in providing “Living Lessons” for the students of schools Australia wide and CEI-Club des 4 Vents has over 50 years experience in exchange and educational programs for students, worldwide. Over the years students from Australia have been placed with families in the Avignon, Rennes and Morlaix in Brittany, the Loire Valley and Vosges areas, as well as in towns close to the Swiss border, among others. Applications for the 2012-2013 Program are now being called. We look forward to your support for the “Living Lessons” French Lycée / Homestay Exchange confident that it is complementary to your school’s LOTE program. Please note the Expression of Interest included in this brochure. You are free to copy this and pass it on to interested students. If further copies are required please do not hesitate to contact us. Yours sincerely Janine Craig, Program Co-ordinator
LIVING LESSONS “GAP YEAR” G∙E∙T Educational Tours has introduced a new concept in Living Lessons designed especially for year 12 students who want to spend their “gap year” gaining a competitive edge in France. Living Lessons Homestay co-ordinator, Janine Craig, said the new “Living Lessons Gap Year” was ideal for post Year 12 students who intended to study French language and culture at university and the perfect addition to a resume.
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EXPRESSION OF INTEREST - FRANCE ACADEMIC YEAR
YES – I will be at least 16 years old at date of departure from Australia and I am interested in finding out more about the “Living Lessons” French Lycée / Homestay Exchange. I understand that a meeting of all interested students and their parents will be held to explain the program fully before applications close. NAME:
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ADDRESS: ........................................................................................................................................................... ..........................................................................................................................................................
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CONTACT PHONE NUMBER: ............................................................... DATE OF BIRTH: ............................................................................... E-MAIL: .......................................................................................................................................................... SCHOOL: .......................................................................................................................................................... PARENT’S SIGNATURE: ......................................................................................................................................... PARENT NAME (in block letters): ........................................................................................................................... I am most interested in (please circle your choice); 6 week program (depart early Dec - return mid-Jan) from $5,200 per student* 2 month program (depart early Dec – return late Jan from $5,920 per student* 3 month program (depart mid Nov – return late Jan) from $6,100 per student* 6 month program ( Jan – June) from $6,600 per student* *Prices are subject to currency variation, air fare seasonality and other changes. Airline taxes & levies are additional.
Please return your expression of interest to;
G·E·T Educational Tours P.O. Box 145 SOUTH MELBOURNE Vic 3205 or FAX: 03 9820 2839 Applications Deadline: April 2012
G•E•T Educational Tours proudly supports The Smith Family "Learning for Life" program
© Pictures CEI Paris, Maison de la France Sydney, G·E·T Educational Tours
Introducing....
the French experience of a lifetime
Each year following the end-of-year exams many excited Australian Year 10 and 11 students travel to France to stay with a host family and attend a Lycée (senior high school). As participants in G·E·T Educational Tours unique “Living Lessons” French Lycée / Homestay Exchange they’re not just immersed in French culture and language, they enjoy the French experience of a lifetime. Perfect for a student preparing for Year 12 and further tertiary education, our France Academic Homestay provides 1618 year old students the opportunity to enhance their language skills, experience the independence of international travel in a safe environment and prepare for the future with confidence and maturity. Applications for the 2012-2013 “Living Lessons” French Lycée / Homestay Exchange are now open (closing April 2012) for departures in November and December 2012.
“LIVING LESSONS” FRENCH LYCÉE / HOMESTAY EXCHANGE 2012-13
“My final weeks flew and by this stage I could have decent conversations with people - being immersed in the culture really is the best way to learn the language “
“I’m having loads of fun here.... I can't believe it's been a month since I've arrived. It's a bit sad 'cos it's going too quickly." Typifying the experience of Australian students participating in G∙E∙T Educational Tours Living Lessons” France Academic Homestay, Queenwood School for Girls student, Adelaide Coleman (pictured top row right), was immersed in French culture and language, and "having a ball". Students including Adelaide enthuse about their time with their French host families. Each year students opting for the 2 and 3 month programs travel in November and December and return home in time for the start of the Australian school year. Those choosing to immerse themselves in French culture and language for 10 months depart in August. "Living Lessons" France Academic Homestay co-ordinator, Janine Craig, said the guarantee that all host families were in France was a major benefit of G•E•T Educational Tours program. She said students could be placed anywhere in France with the emphasis on matching participants common interests with their hosts and were truly considered as a member of the family. “They are equal in rights and duties,” she said. “The host family is responsible for the student’s welfare taking very seriously their role as ‘parents’.” G∙E∙T Educational Tours "Living Lessons" France Academic
Homestay - managed in conjunction with CEI-Club des 4 Vents - offers students the benefits of travel, a sense of independence and the opportunity to maximise their studies. “We believe this program perfectly encapsulates the substantial benefit to language students of travelling in France and communicating in everyday situations - it’s what we mean by Living Lessons ,” she said. “Both as short-term travellers as members of a school group or for longer periods such as those experienced by participants in the “Living Lessons” French Lycée / Homestay Exchange, there is simply no substitute to travel for students to comprehensively immerse themselves in the language and culture.” Living Lessons in France may be as short as 2 months or up to a full academic year. The deadline for applications is April 2012. Successful applicants depart for France in September, November or January and live with caring, highly concerned host families. Ms Buckle said key features of the G·E·T Educational Tours 2012-13 “Living Lessons” French Lycée / Homestay Exchange included the assurance that host families were located in France, 24 hour assistance whilst students were in France, advice of host family details at least a month prior to travel and access to highly competitive travel insurance rates.
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“IT was an amazing experience to be in the most romantic city in the world, and it was fantastic to see it from a French Perspective”. This was the enthusiastic reaction of Hornsby High School Year 10 student, Melissa Black (pictured front page centre sitting left), following a week in Paris with her G∙E∙T Educational Tours "Living Lessons" France Academic Homestay host family. She said her participation in the program had significantly helped her fluency in French and appreciation of other cultures. “I made some fabulous friends, many of whom were exchange students like me. It is an enormous feeling to know that friends can be made almost anywhere - being over the other side of the world has a huge impact on your values and on the way you see the world.” By the time she completed her homestay and high school experience, Melissa could converse in French and felt comfortable communicating with the local people. “My final weeks flew and by this stage I could have decent conversations with people – being immersed in the culture really is the best way to learn the language,” she said.
WANTED: Motivated, Enthusiastic, Adventurous students of French to participate in a fantastic residential program in France
frequently asked questions... How old must I be? You must be between 16 & 18 years of age on the date of departure from Australia.
Should I be able to speak French? Yes, but you don’t have to be totally fluent. You should have studied French at least 2 years and be prepared to “have a go”. Will my host family be able to speak English? We cannot guarantee this. Some host families do speak English but remember one of the reasons you are there, is to improve your confidence and ability in the French language. Can I choose where I would like to go in France? No. Your host family is chosen for you, matching your interests as far as possible. Will my host family live in Paris? No. Our host families live in smaller regional towns or villages. This means you may, for example, travel to school on the school bus. In smaller centres most people know or recognise and look out for each other. Will I have contact with my host family before I leave Australia? Yes. You will receive information and photos of your host family around a month before you leave Australia. You are encouraged to contact them and exchange information about your expectations. Not all families will have e-mail so letter writing could be the vital means of contact.
Will I be homesick? cée s” French Ly Maybe. At some stage most students experience iving Lesson “L 18 e d th an in 16 S NT between some feeling of homesickness - typically in PARTICIPA must be aged . ge ia n al ha tr xc us E A the first weeks of their stay in France. Your / Homestay parture from , me of their de o-ordinator, Janine Craig host family and local counsellor will support years at the ti C r y ta fo es ch om en H Fr ns" ied you as you manage these feelings. Coping and "Living Lesso ed that students had stud ct pe managing by yourself is part of the maturing said it was ex ger of two years. icularly youn process and the program can assist to build your a minimum icipants, part rt efit pa n at be th to al senti enough self confidence in a supportive atmosphere. It was also es ally mature on rs pe e er w participants, Who will meet me when I arrive at the ce. through a the experien fully screened said. om re fr ca ry airport in Paris? ve is ess,” she participant terview proc in d You will be met by one of our French staff outside “Each an n ity are all io at ic vel of matur le a rigorous appl d an sm French Customs (look for someone holding up , enthusia “Motivation ram. ght your name). This person will take you into Paris to s in this prog es program is ri cc su to l ta vi ensuring the t id sa ou the correct train for your final destination where you ,” ab l ce fu an re live in Fr are very ca d e an “W to el av will be met by your local counsellor and possibly your cted to tr for those sele host family. e. Ms Buckl Do I have to attend school? Yes. This is a vital part of the program as the program is an educational one. You will be attending a Lycée (senior high school) offering the opportunity to develop many acquaintances and even long lasting friendship. Can I use frequent flyer points to travel to and from France? Yes, under certain conditions. You will need to arrive in Paris on the same flight as the other students travelling from Australia.
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“Esther has had a wonderful time and hasn’t stopped talking since the plane touched down! The family was amazing...” Cathy Holt, Woodleigh School
“the best way to master the French language and increase knowledge of all things French. We are very confident about the quality and outcomes of this program.”
Do I have to return to Australia immediately the program is finished? No. Your parents may wish to meet you and travel elsewhere in France or Europe. You may have relatives in France or other parts of Europe your family would like you to visit. We can arrange your return flight according to your wishes. Can I travel to other parts of France or Europe while I am on exchange? You will not be allowed to travel on your own while taking part in the program. You will be able to travel with your host family for weekends/short holidays if they have planned some activities for you and your parents in Australia are happy with this. Can my parents visit me? Parents or other family members should not plan to visit you while you are participating in the program. Experience has shown that such visits can be unsettling for the student. However once the program has ended your parents can meet you and travel with you. Will my family have to host a French student in return? No, your family will not be required to host a French student in return. What happens if I have a problem with my host family? Sometimes problems do arise with a host family - this may be due to a cultural misunderstanding or some miscommunication. If you have had regular contact with your host family before leaving Australia, problems are less likely to arise.
Who do I call for help? Every student is assigned a local counsellor who will assist you and help solve any problems you may be having. If after exhaustive discussions/negotiations the problem is unable to be resolved then a change of host family may be possible.
EXPRESS IONS of interest in Lessons” French L the “Livin ycée / H 2012-13 ar Will I need a visa? g omestay e due in A Exchange pril 2012. Informatio If your program is three months or less a visa is not currently n se the Applica ssions are schedu required. For students undertaking the longer programs a led in May tion Doss ier must b and 12 May. student visa is needed. G∙E∙T Educational Tours will help you e complete d by obtain the visa. NOTE: Costs associated with obtaining a visa Interviews will be co nducted in May with are not included in the program fee. capital citi successful es in ap 2 plicants n 0 1 2 . How much does it cost? otified in Ju F ne u ll academ The 6 week program starts from $5,200 per student* ic year par ea ti ci ch p ants leave September inclusive of airfares. The slightly longer duration two month for France . program starts from $5,920 per student*, three months Short duration st u d en N ts leave ovember an from $6,100 per student* and six months from $6,600 per for France d Decemb For more in student*. informatio er. n contact French Ly *Prices are subject to currency variation, air fare seasonality and other “Living L cée esso changes. Airline taxes & levies are additional. Janine Cra / Homestay Exchan ge Co-ord ns” ig. inator, How do I apply? Information is included (or about to arrive in schools) for applications to the program. Some students have already applied for next year. We are happy to receive applications until April 2012. 9Live 9 with the French in France
9Travel 9 insurance at competitive rates 924 9 Hour Assistance 9Host 9 family details a month prior to travel
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