Our Last Day in Caen

It was our last full day in Caen, which made all of us feel very sad that we would have to leave such a beautiful city and country! Nevertheless, we still enjoyed the 65 degree weather by first working on our French exchange presentations and then shopping in the city. With extra time left over from shopping, we laid out in the sun and some of us even cooled off in a water fountain!

Tonight, we all got together and the French students threw us a farewell party. Each French corespondent gave a gift and there were a bunch of hugs along with some great food! 

All in all, this trip was a once in a lifetime experience that none of us will ever forget, it will definitely be hard saying goodbye tomorrow! 

Today we woke up extra early to take a bus ride with our correspondents to Mont St. Michel. Just the view on the bus was enough to amaze all the first time tourists (AKA: us). We had some free time before walking up and taking our tour of the abbey, since there was a strike going on that forbade us from entering any further. We walked around for about an hour, exploring, looking at the view, and taking pictures. During our audio tour of the Abbey, we saw the balcony, the dining hall, the church, and much more. It is amazing to see such an old building still be intact and in good condition. After we walked back down and had a picnic on the grass before heading to St. Malo, known for it's founding of crepes. While some of us went for the crepes, others went for ice cream and/or gaufres (waffle with powdered sugar or Nutella). It was a cute town with shopping areas on the water. Overall it was a fun day. We spent it with everyone in the  French exchange (even the boys)! The weather, once again was beautiful. It was such a great experience!

Caen- Weekend

This past weekend some of us visited two seaside towns, Honfleur and Deauville. It was very peaceful and the views were spectacular. After exploring, we all enjoyed some waffles with Nutella on the beach.

Caen Day 7

Monday 4/14

Today we experienced a full day of French school. Everyone went with their French exchange students to different classes and found out just what it is like to be a student at Victor Hugo High School. Unlike in America, the classes are a lot more serious with more lectures from the teachers and less interaction from the students. Some classes, however, are more relaxed where the teacher walks around as the kids work, ready to help. After school we went home with our exchange students. Some people got out of classes at 4 while others had school until 6. It was a beautiful day so hopefully everyone tried to get some fresh air after the long hard day of French school! 

(Fallon and Pauline enjoying the gorgeous day with a run through the fields)

Caen Day 7

Today was the first day we got to spend the whole school day with our correspondent. We got to experience what it is like to be a student at Victor Hugo. We went to the same classes as our correspondent. I was surprised to see that they had their classes with basically the same people. Their school day starts at 8:30 and ends typically around 5. Because they are taught in French it was difficult to know what they were talking about. However, I was able to pick out some words that I knew. 

Caen Day 5

On Friday, we started the day off with some time spent at the CDI (library), where we started to create posters about our trip in Caen and about the Lycée Victor Hugo, as the French students did when they came to New York. Next, we made our way over to Caen to visit the markets that are held there every Friday. These adorable stands ranged in product from fruits and vegetables to crêpes, jewelry, and even old newspapers dating back to the late 1800s. We strolled trough the markets and enjoyed some regional cheeses, breads, and fresh crêpes before having a picnic on the steps of the main square.

After a scenic walk back to the lycée, we met up with one of the French exchange students, Christina, who would take us to meet her father at his office, Ganil. Ganil is one of the fifth largest particle accelerators in the world, and we were fortunate enough that Mr. Marques took time out of his day to explain what exactly is nuclear physics, his specified field, and how the accelerator works. We went through the control room, where an experiment was taking place, and were able to see the machine that ionizes nuclei, therefore allowing acceleration caused by a negative magnetic field once the negative electrons are removed. We were able to the see the smallest of the three accelerators, which was still enormous, and an experimental room where the detector "Maya" is found. All of the extremely elaborate machines are covered in cables and different parts that try to ensure that the nuclei stay on the designated course.

We then parted ways with Mr. Marques and made our way back to the school, where we met up with our correspondants, each of which had their own ideas for a fun-filled weekend that awaits us! We had another great day in Caen and can't wait for what's coming next!

-Alessandra

Caen day 5

April 11, 2014

Today, we explored the market place, which sold things from crêpes to jewelry. We walked around at the market for a couple of hours, buying various trinkets from the little stands until we met up for lunch and then we were off to visit the GANIL.

Caen Day 4

Bonjour! Today was a special day in Caen. Every year, the University students attend "Carnival", where everyone dresses up in crazy, extravagant costumes (like our Halloween). The high school students dressed up today as well, with costumes ranging from "Despicable Me" minions, to Avatars, to bunnies.

In the classroom, no one was able to focus with all of the jokes and excitement in the air.

This morning, everyone had their own specific schedule to follow. Some of us went to an English class first period, where the students had to take a grammar test. We took the test with the French kids and found the test rather easy. It was interesting to see how the French students were learning our language. After taking the test, we watched a video on a language called "Globish;" a simplified version of the English language. An interesting concept where the English language is narrowed down to 1,500 words, and also excludes idioms and jokes to avoid confusion. The purpose is to be able to communicate with friends and colleagues around the world in one, unified language.

We had a delicious lunch after our morning classes: pasta, bread, cheeses, and desserts...ooh là là. After lunch, we walked to town to the Abbeye aux Hommes, also known as the City Hall. There, we went on a tour of the building and learned that the abbey was first used by the Benedictine monks. After the French Revolution, it was converted to a school and then converted to a shelter during WWII. 

While heading back, we found that the streets were crowded with university students dressed in silly costumes like the students at the high school. We even had to take a different route because the road was too crowded with Carnaval!

It was a beautiful, sunny day filled with laughter, excitement, and lots of pain au chocolat!

Caen Day 2

So today was our first full day in Caen. It was very exiting. Starting our day around 8 by eating breakfast which included croissants, coffee, and other goodies at the school with the other exchange students. Then we headed off to different classes. I was in a chemistry class for the first two hours. It was cool to see how the class is different from the classes in Bronxville. Next I went to gym and we rock climbed. It was very fun, yet it is not as safe as rock climbing in Bronxville but still we all made it to the top of the rock wall and enjoyed ourselves! Next we headed to lunch at the cafeteria. It is very different than Bronxville's. There is a whole line with different choices that you must follow until the very end. Then for clean up you have to follow a different routine, which makes the process easier and it flows nicely. After lunch we went on a little touring of the city of Caen followed by a scavenger hunt. What was supposed to take us an hour took us two hours with much difficulty and traumatizing expieriences. Luckily it ended with people eating a crepe (or two) and with smiles of ending the scavenger hunt. After much walking we ended up back at the school for the end of the day to go to Pauline's for a wonderful dinner of lasagna and afterwards some brownies and other goodies including chocolate!!! The party was a lot of fun which included some unique and wonderful singing of a variety of songs along with many pictures!! After the long day it is finally time to sleep!

Caen: Day 3

Wednesday April 9

Today, we started off nice and early with all the girls from Bronxville, and we took a bus from the school to the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial. We were there before it opened, and had the opportunity to watch the flags be raised. Along with everything we did during the day, this cemetery is used to honor those who died in France during World War II, specifically on D-Day. It is a beautiful area, and we got to see the amazing beaches that are there.

                           

After the cemetery, we took a short bus ride and briefly saw the German Bunkers that are remaining. We were able to go inside and on top of them, allowing for us to be able to imagine the conditions of living in a bunker.

We went directly from there to a movie that was in a 360-degree theater, and the movie took place on 9 screens around the room. It gave us an emotional background to D-Day and the war in general, and everyone, even though we were exhausted, found the movie moving and interesting.

Then, we enjoyed a picnic lunch that our families packed for us, while we ate by the beach. Everyone shared their enormous amounts of food and snacks, and we still had enough time to shop in the stores and even get crepes!

After lunch, we set off for the Memorial museum. There, we learned much detail about World War II and the roles the different world powers played.  Our audio guides took us through the carefully laid out museum, its walls full of interesting artifacts, maps, and summaries of events. With each turn, there was loads of information that told the story of the war and made us truly reflect on the past. The tour concluded with a short film on D-day, which was also rather moving.

Our study of World War II ended with a brief walk through another German bunker, right by the museum. We then walked back to the school where we met up with our correspondents and split off for the evening. The rest of the day was spent in small groups or with our families.

Overall, the day was long and eventful, but definitely worth it all. We learned a lot of interesting things and had fun along the way!  

Caen Day One

Yesterday was our first day in Caen and everyone was excited to see their exchange correspondents but nervous to actually have to speak french. We took a three hour bus ride from Paris to Caen and most of us were very tired from the fun we had in Paris so this was a great opportunity for us to sleep. Once we arrived in Caen we were all so excited to see our exhange correspondents as well as all the other French exhange students. We went into the school and we had to time to talk to everyone before we went our separate ways. In the school there was also some snacks and I am sure everyone enjoyed them. In my opinion our first day was a success.

Paris Day 4

Our last day in Paris was by far one that will not be forgotten. The day started with a train ride across Paris to the Eiffel Tower. The view was beautiful! Just when we arrived the clouds were gone and we could clearly see the top. As a group, we decided to walk up the stairs to the second level where we would take the elevator to the top. It was a beautiful but windy day that continued back downstairs on the first level for a delicious lunch. Lunch consisted of salad and chicken on top of mashed potatoes. For dessert we had a chocolate mousse cake in the shape of the Eiffel Tower! It was très bien!

-Killian

Paris Day Three

Sunday, April 6

To start our third day off, we went to the Louvre, crossing paths with the marathon on our way. Once there we enjoyed a lovely tour led by a fourth Caroline, which included some selfies with Mona.

After a picnic on the lawns outside the Louvre, we headed to the lock bridge. There we were overwhelmed by the love in the air. 

Continuing our tour, we went to Paris's oldest opera house then preceded to march up the long steps of Mont Martre where many Impressionist artists lived and worked. We enjoyed some free time drinking coffee, eating crepes, and admiring the local artwork. We then had a traditional french dinner at La Bonne Franquette, which included some interesting cabaret dancers ;)

After dinner we briefly strolled through the red light district, passing by the famous Moulin Rouge before returning, exhausted, to our hotel to begin packing for Caen. 

It was a great, fun-filled day à Paris! Can't wait for more! 

Paris Day Two

Today we started our journey at Versailles, visiting the palace and the palace gardens of Louis XIV. While in the gardens, we acted out scenes from the French Revolution. 

Then we went to lunch, where the birthday girl Fallon, was sang to (it happened more than once).

After lunch, we returned to Paris and visited the Musée d'Orsay. 

We had some free time to shop on the Champs Élysées and we saw the Arc de Triomphe as well at the end of the street. Luckily no one was pickpocketed. We enjoyed a great French dinner consisting of goat cheese salad, chicken and homefries, and a brownie cake. To end our day we took an hour boat trip on the Seine and saw the Eiffel tower lit. 

Paris day one

Today was our first day in Paris! Getting off the plane after our flight, we headed straight to our charming little hotel and then out to explore the city with our tour guide, Emmanuel. We navigated the metro and the lovely streets of Paris as we walked along the Seine River and visited Notre Dame, Saint Chapelle, the Palais de Justice, along with adorable crêperies and cafés. We had a cozy dinner at Chez Clément and returned to the hotel, exhausted after our fabulous first day.

 The Seine 

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris

Getting ready to go!

In a few short weeks, eleven Bronxville High School students will be taking part in the second half of their Exchange with the Lycée Victor Hugo in Caen, France. We will spend 4 days in Paris visiting the main sites and getting acclimated to the French culture before spending 10 days with our French host families in Normandy.

Never been to Normandy? Here is a quick introduction: Un voyage à travers la Normandie

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the D-Day invasions in Normandy. Read about some of the preparations already underway:
The official poster for the 70th anniversary is unveiled.