Language Program

French /JEM Exchange Program with Collège Saint Martial, Montmorillon, France

This French exchange program is a great asset to the BFS language program. The goals of this exchange program are to establish an international relationship– the JEM component – and to provide the students with a French language experience. Participants improve their conversational French, understanding of the French culture, general world awareness, and create long lasting memories.

Group Photo
French and American students at Collège Saint Martial, Montmorillon, France

We are operating on a four-year cycle whereby we visit each other in alternating two year intervals. In spring 2004, 12 BFS students and 3 teachers traveled to France and visited the St. Martial School. In spring 2006, BFS hosted 18 students and 2 teachers from the Saint Martial School. In spring 2008, St. Martial will host a delegation of BFS students and teachers.

  • Collège Saint Martial is a private school that goes from nursery school to 9th grade and offers flexibility in scheduling and curriculum that is not possible in a public school.
  • St. Martial is a “college” (6th-9th) where English is studied as a foreign language.
  • The atmosphere in the classroom and the student-teacher rapport at St. Martial are like those at BFS.
Group Photo
... and at Buckingham Friends School

A message from Phillipe

Phillipe

Au-delà de l’enrichisse-ment que nous a apporté ce voyage, je pense que c’était une aventure humaine hors commun. Français et Américains ne formaient qu’un groupe d’amis soudés pour vivre des moments inoubliables.

Beyond the enrichment that the trip brought, I think that it was also an out of the ordinary adventure. Americans and French people formed a group of friends joined to live unforgettable moments.

A message from Benoît

Benoît

C’est une expérience unique, que je conseille de vivre au moins une fois. Ce sont des souvenirs inoubliables, des paysages nouveaux, un autre mode de vie, vraiment un autre monde. J’espère vraiment y retourner un jour, quand mon anglais sera meilleur!

It is a unique experience I recommend to have at least once. These are unforgettable memories, new sceneries, another style of life, and truly another world. I sincerely hope to return there someday, when my English would be better..