Hello dear reader, here is the memory of the exchange between Ripley Saint Thomas Highschool (Lancaster, United Kingdom) and the Lycée Léonard de Vinci (Melun, France) in 2008-09.
All along of this blog, I’ll present this experience how I live it with my partner, Tasmin.
It was a thirsday, the 29th Januar, after several months of waiting, the English partners arrive in France, near 4 o’clock, they’re in the lycée, here began a quick meeting with them and the english teachers.
After that, we organized a guided tour of the lycée with some french partners, we walked across the buildings, showing to our partners some places like the library, the machine shop, the laboratorys, etc…
Once the tour was finished, we made a melting pot in the foyer with the french partners who were in lessons. Everybody tried to talk with everybody and it was amazing to see how the language wasn’t a barrier.
To finish, we went to the canteen to listen the headteacher’s speech and have a little snack.
The following day, we went to Versailles, to visit its famous castle.
We were amazed by an army of japanese tourists wearing masks. =O
We made a guided tour of the castle and took our meal in the gardens of the castle, one of the most beautiful garden I know.
After tea, we went to the bowling, we have many difficulties to come on in because we’re under 18 but we finally won versus the bouncer.
The Saturday, no lessons, let’s shopping !
We went with other partners to Carré Sénart, not very far from the lycée to spend a little bit of our money.
The evening, we went by Benjamin’s house to eat a very good Raclette. =)
On sunday, we made a trip in the forest of Barbizon, near the Caverne des Brigands, but before, we took the time to go in an italian restaurant in Fontainebleau, yum.
Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t as good as it looks on the photo !
Monday, while Tasmin was in Paris, I was in lessons, and we didn’t do something very interesting this day, so there isn’t many things to say. ^_^
On tuesday, we visited the cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris and made a trip to the Cité des sciences et de l’industrie.
Wednesday morning was studios, while I was in lessons, Tasmin was studying the french education system.
At noon, we went to the fast food and after that, we made a last minute shopping.
A wednesday, the 4th March, we took the plane to England, after several hours of road and plane, we arrived to Ripley !
We participate to a guided tour of the school and had a snack in the canteen. After that, we went to our partner’s home.
The second day, we made a little trip in Lancaster. Oh, but I didn’t told you, it was the second time I took part to this exchange, so I already knew Lancaster.
We went to the tawnhall where we met the mayor of Lancaster, and had a snack. (Yum, tea !)
