French Exchange Students Get Taste of American Culture
Twenty students from Shaker’s sister school in Rouen, France, are spending two weeks learning about what it means to be a typical American high school student. Each was paired with a Shaker host family whose student is taking French at Shaker Heights High School.
Some of the French students have enjoyed attending a Cavaliers basketball game, going to hear a local band, having burgers at the B-Spot or Mitchell’s ice cream. All of them will have an opportunity to visit the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, and the West Side Market, among other attractions.
For many, their first taste of American culture involved trying some new foods, like peanut butter, chicken pot pie, and Chipotle, all of which received rave reviews. Less well received: fruit-flavored breakfast cereal.
Perhaps the most highly anticipated experience for the Rouen students was having their very own school lockers, something they knew about from watching American television shows. The French visitors were also excited to choose from a wide range of classes to attend, such as astronomy, theatre ensemble, orchestra and band.
Rouen teacher Nicolas Turpin explains that it is more customary in France for students to follow a narrowly prescribed course of study and to move about with the same group of students throughout the day.
Raphael Muraine, who is staying with the Kalafatis family, observes, “Your school does not look like mine at all. Our classes are longer and we don’t go to the same classes every day. It’s a good experience to discover new ways of teaching. Here, students work more on their own.”
Students were also impressed with the vast number of extra-curricular activities that round out the typical school day. Says Rouen teacher Helene Ameline, who taught French last year at Shaker Heights High School while Shaker English teacher Chris Cotton took her place in Rouen, “The school culture in France is very different. We don’t have organized sports and clubs at school, and the teaching style here is less hierarchical. At first, I think the students are surprised by it, but then I think they really like it.”
Andra Cretu, who is staying with the Flamm family, seems to agree. “I really like this way of life. Americans are more friendly than French people. My host family are really nice – I feel I am at home.”
The Rouen-Shaker exchange program is now in its sixth year. Next year, Shaker students will have the opportunity to visit their counterparts in Rouen. Guidance counselor Mary Bourisseau coordinates the program along with High School French teachers Suzanne Genillier and Eileen Willis. Administrative assistant Myriam Neil, who is a native of France, also assists with the program.