MVPS Makes a Cultural Connection Through First-Time French Exchange Program

Oct 28, 2015 | Fine Arts, Have Fun, Multiplier, Share the Well, Upper School News

Pictured Left to Right: Kate Thomsen, Danyela Mulunda, Aline Laguna and Eloise Clavel


For the first time in Mount Vernonโ€™s history, Upper School students are able to delve deeper into Franceโ€™s culture and language by participating in its inaugural French Exchange program. Through this single opportunity, students, teachers and host families are exploring their curiosity, making new friends, forging deep relationships, and expanding their culturalย footprints.
For over a year, MVPS French teacher Ann Willeford, International Coordinators and foreign language teachers Erin Wright and Sam Baroody, along with Interim Term Coordinator Meg Brown worked together with Madame Chatelet from Lycรฉe Hรฉlรจne Boucher in Thionville, France toย make a connection for student exchange.ย Through an initial pen pal project, this became a reality for french studentsย Eloise Clavel and Aline Laguna.
Sharing their homes as host families for our newest Mustang, are the Thomsen and Merlin families. Additionally, the Corley family hosted the Boucherย teachers who accompanied their students across the ocean. The exchange will occurย in the spring of 2016 before and during Interim Term, when juniors Kate Thomsen and Danyela Mulunda will travel to France to attend Lycรฉe Hรฉlรจne Boucher.
Just halfway through their four-week stay this fall, Eloise and Aline view southern America as bigger, brighter and more colorful than they had thought. Eloise shares in flawless English, โ€œWhen we first arrived, the people were smiling. Everyone is so kind here. Even the students were nice and asked questions. They showed interest in us as people. This is different,โ€ she continues, โ€œbecause in France everyone keeps to themselves – it is very quiet there.โ€
IMG_0878While in America, the girls want to explore American culture, blend in like Americans, and “eat junk food, because itโ€™s better here.”
When asked how their preconceived notions matched up to their actual experience, Aline shared, โ€œReligion. We thought weโ€™d see a lot of people praying in the streets because that is the impression we have of the United States. Itโ€™s not like that at all. Also, the houses. There are so many of them and they are huge.โ€
Eloise adds, โ€œMount Vernon is so different from our school. Itโ€™s small so the teachers can be close to the students. In France we have 37 kids in each class.โ€
In expectation of her travel abroad, junior Dany Mulunda, a native of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, says, โ€œLiving there will be different than just visiting. I know I will get to know the daily life of living in a small town as opposed to the big lights and big city of Paris, where I have visited before. I am most interested in learning more about the culture and the reality of experiencing lifeย in a different country.โ€
Having the girls here has given Dany a different perspective on the way she views Mount Vernon. She continues, โ€œAs I would escort them through the school, I would explain things in detail. This allowed me to reflect on our school with a purpose and caused me to understand it better. We are very lucky to be here.โ€
IMG_0963Both Dany and Kate are accomplished artists and spend a lot of time in Mr. Hank Kunathโ€™s art studio at school. Wanting to share their love for art and explore Atlanta at its core with Eloise and Aline, they and a group of 10 other students and guided by Mr. Kunath, went to the Atlanta Beltline on a cultural excursion to view the public art installation. From murals and graffiti on pylons, to metal collages under bridges and statues in fields, the group learned about various types of American art, southern versus city culture and the freedom of speech.
Eloise and Aline thought the experience was โ€œamazing.” Eloise adds, โ€œI canโ€™t believe they can draw in the street. In Thionville they would get in so much trouble. People here are just able to write what they think about. Itโ€™s bright and beautiful. And joggers run right through. Itโ€™s just a part of the city.โ€
Neither of our guests are interested in going home any time soon, though they know their time in Atlanta and at Mount Vernon is coming to an end. Eloise says, โ€œWe miss our families, but it is good to get a break from our routine and learn how people do things differently.โ€
When asked if they had any advice to give to other students who might be interested in traveling abroad, the girls unanimously shouted, โ€œDo it!โ€
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