TJ’s French students return with memories that will last a lifetime.
On the morning of March 19th, 2009, students from Thomas Jefferson’s French classes began preparing themselves for the trip of a lifetime to one of the most adored travel destinations in the world: France.
The trip is taken every other year, and is organized by Thomas Jefferson’s French Teacher and Chaperon, Paul Kirschling. “I’ve taken six trips now, and this was definitely my favorite group. They were fun, easy going, very mature and low maintenance. An overall awesome group of kids,” said Kirschling.
This year had a unique touch to it, with the addition of a family stay scheduled for the first five days of the trip. “After the students filled out the application, they were matched up with a French teenager with similar interests,” said Kirschling.
Naturally, some parents would be uneasy about sending their kids to a foreign country to stay with a family they have never met. Kirschling was prepared to reassure parents that Vistas in Education (V.I.E) was a professional company and their children would be safe. “The families have to volunteer to be host families, so they’re not in it for the money. They’re in it for the cultural experience, just like the students,” said Kirschling.
The host families were intended to show the students around their town, and give them a sense of their way of life. “The food was absolutely sensational. I’m not used to a full meal every night, like many American families, but that’s the way of life in France,” said Junior Alex Kaufhold. “The food was really only half of the experience, though. Of course, spending time in Paris was amazing, but being able to practically live the French lifestyle with a wonderful family pretty much takes the cake.”
After the students spent five days with their families, they boarded the train back to Paris and began sharing their stories and experiences with their peers. “It was so exciting knowing that once we were reunited with the rest of the class, we’d be able to share our experiences with our peers that could appreciate it as much as we did,” said Junior Rachel Wilson.
Once the students arrived in Paris, many of them didn’t know what to expect. “The city was so different than what I’m used to seeing. The architecture is beautiful, and the whole atmosphere is just different,” said Wilson.
Kirschling had most of the trip mapped out, with reservations to popular restaurants and some of the most famous museums and siteseeing destinations. “I wanted to give the students the opportunity to see all of the main attractions and get a sense of the French culture at the same time,” said Kirschling.
During their stay in Paris, the group visited the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Notre Dam, Medieval Museum, Moulin Rouge, and took a boat ride down the Seine River. “It was incredible to see spots that you have only ever seen on postcards, especially while on a romantic boat ride,” laughed Kaufhold.
The restaurants were chosen with the help of a friend of Kirschling’s, who knew the area well. “I have a friend who has lived in France for the past 16 years, and he helped me pick out two great restaurants,” said Kirschling.
For a portion of the trip, the students were given the option of taking a day to explore Paris away from the rest of the group with whomever they pleased. “I didn’t think I was capable of being that self sufficient and independent. If you had told me a year ago that I could navigate my way around Paris and communicate with a French family completely, I wouldn’t have believed you,” laughed Junior Taliah Farnsworth. “But I did!”
The students returned to Denver with new perspectives on what life is like outside of the United States. “I liked the fact that we were in a completely different country yet we were so comfortable being tourists, but were also able to experience the Parisian lifestyle. It was the trip of a lifetime,” said Junior Maggie Barbour.
While plans for another trip to France next year are not confirmed, it’s definite that there will be one in 2011. “Nothing is set in stone yet, but if we don’t have another trip next year students will have the opportunity to go in 2011,” said Kirschling. If students are interested in finding out more about the next trip, they should down to room 15 with any questions.
