FRENCH DEPARTMENT
INDIVIDUAL EXCHANGES WITH PUPILS OF NOTRE DAME DE BURY- PARIS
Following the success of the individual exchange programme last year, we have had discussions with Notre Dame de Bury with a view to extending the eligibility to include pupils from Second Year to Fifth Year. Notre Dame de Bury is a private mixed school, similar in size and profile to St Andrew’s College, under the direction of the Marist order. It is located in Margency, a suburb just north of Paris, approximately 45 minutes from the city centre. It is close to Charles de Gaulle airport and is within easy reach of the RER trains that travel directly to the centre of Paris.
An individual exchange differs from the traditional group exchange in that pupils and their families are responsible for the travel arrangements and the dates of the exchange and pupils are not accompanied by teachers from St Andrew’s. Subject to discussion with Form Teachers and Year Heads, it may be possible to go on an exchange during term.
The advantages of the individual exchange system over the traditional group exchange are fourfold:
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It permits greater flexibility on both sides in the choice of dates and duration of stay.
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Full immersion in the target language is assured as there are fewer, if any, Irish students with whom to associate at any one time.
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A greater appreciation of the culture of the country is fostered by socialising exclusively, or almost exclusively, with French students.
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Costs are limited to airfare and spending money.
Pupils considering an exchange should be aware of the following:
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Every exchange has an element of ‘pot luck’. You don’t know what your exchange partner or the family is really like until you are living with them.
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An exchange is not a holiday. You will be living with a new family, perhaps very different from your own, for the purpose of learning French.
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The French do things differently. French customs and lifestyles may be very different from those you are used to in Ireland. Be prepared to make necessary adjustments.
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Common politeness dictates that you adopt the practice of the household in relation to punctuality for meals, rising in the morning and returning home in the evening.
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A three-week exchange is actually a six-week commitment. You must be prepared to make the effort to be friendly during both stages of the exchange even if your partner is not ideal in every respect.
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Don’t go on an exchange if you merely want to spend time in Paris with your friends from St Andrew’s.
Should you wish to proceed with an exchange, further information will be available in the coming weeks.
Conall Hamill
Head of French Department
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