Making connections across the world

Last spring during Project Week, students with the French trip visited Saint-Michel de Picpus in Paris to learn about the culture, immerse themselves in the French language, and most importantly, stay with host families. Overlakers spent the week making memories and friendships that have continued via social media since returning home. And when they left, they knew their goodbyes weren’t forever. This week, Overlake students got to complete the exchange by hosting the same French students in their homes. This exchange program has been an Overlake staple since 2006, but this is the first time since the pandemic that we have been able to bring back the French exchange program. 

“It’s always a success,” says French teacher Mireille Machefert.

Junior Zainab P. echoes that sentiment and shares, “I have loved having my exchange student stay with me. I think the school matched people perfectly, and the exchange students are some of the fastest friends that I have made.”

Overlake students were excited to welcome their French friends and met them at the airport with homemade signs and warm greetings. On Monday, the French students joined their host Overlake students on campus, attending classes throughout the day, including lunch. 

“The classroom experience was fun. School is definitely different in Paris, and the exchange students were shocked when they came to Overlake," explains Zainab. "In Paris, the students are in school until almost 6 pm every day, with little time for after- school activities. One of the exchange students was telling me that she loved the ‘student life’ at Overlake. In classes, while we learn different things in our respective countries, both in Paris and in Seattle, we were able to jump into lessons relatively easily, despite a slight language barrier.”

For the rest of the week, the group of visiting students went on adventures around the Seattle area, including visiting the MOPOP Museum and going all the way to the top of the Space Needle! The French students even plan on attending the homecoming dance with their hosts this weekend before returning home. “Not only will this be their first dance, but I think it will be a great bonding experience for all of us. We will go out for dinner and to take pictures with a group of friends before homecoming,” Zainab shares.

While they are here, Overlake hosts will be able to share their culture, traditions, customs, and perspectives with their French guests while practicing the very real skills of being accommodating and gracious hosts. 

All in all, Overlake's French program is very excited to have the exchange back up and running for future years to come. 

“Exchange programs make students become more independent, resilient, open-minded, empathetic, and globally conscious individuals.  I truly hope that these 2024 exchange students will build lasting friendships that enrich their lives and broaden their horizon, to create a better world,” Machefert says.