by Geraldine (Oct 28, 2004)

Some friends in Blois, during leisure time, before Konstanze's departure, at the bottom of the stairs leading to Blois's castle. Konstanze is the blonde girl with the black coat in the foreground.

It's a 6-month exchange between one European country and France. For example : France and Germany... One Frenchman (or Frenchwoman) goes to Germany for 6 months and stays at his (her) German partner’s, and after the 6 months the German partner will go to France and stay at his (her) partner’s for 6 months too. They study in the same school and learn the habits and the culture of the country where they live.

The Lycée Augustin Thierry suggests Voltaire Exchange to their students with Germany.

Last year (2003-2004), a young German teenager called Konstanze MEYER took part in Voltaire Exchange. She studied for 6 months in the Lycée Augustin Thierry in the same class as me : 2^nde 4.

The beginning was difficult for her. But we integrated her into our class easily. It was a great surprise to have a German student with us !!

This foreign company was beneficial for the whole class and for her as well. She improved her French language. At the end of her stay, she was speaking as well as we did!

She discovered French culture too, and the French school system because the German school system is different.

Days after days, weeks after weeks, we knew her better and better. She became our friend.

Her departure left an emptiness in the classroom. However, I kept in touch with her via the internet during the end of the school year. Most of the time I spoke with her via " MSN messenger". This correspondance was beneficial for both of us because during my summer holidays I visited her in Germany for 2 weeks. I was so happy to see her !!!! Thanks to this meeting, I decided to invite her at home so that she could have a reunion with all the people she liked! She was in the same classroom during her holidays. Nice holidays for her, isn't it ? lol . This return to Augustin Thierry revived a lot of memories for everybody.

Unfortunately she had to go back to Germany to go back to school. She returned by train at 5:46 a.m. in the darkness of the morning....

To conclude, this European exchange between Konstanze and Léa (her French partner) favoured the acquaintance of European people who became friends.

Exchanges influence world exchanges and particularly with New Zealand.

Thanx for opening the doors of the world for us! :-)

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