You are allowed to check in one suitcase that's 50 pounds maximum. You can also take with you, in the cabin, your backpack/handbag and a small rollerboard. If your suitcase is over 50 pounds, you will have a extra charge of $75 to pay...

What to take in your suitcase:
- your own toiletries (no need to take bath towels or washcloths)
- your own medication (what you usually take if you have an upset stomach or a headache)
- for everyday, a good pair of comfortable waterproof walking shoes. High heels are not a good idea to commute on the train and the subway + one pair of more dressy shoes to go with a nicer outfit. No flip-flops!
- a winter jacket that can handle temperatures in the 30's
- a hat and gloves
- Think layers in terms of clothes
- a small umbrella that you can put in your bag (last time it rained the whole time we were there)
- one outfit that's nicer in case your host family takes you out to dinner: a dress for girls, a shirt for guys. Something more elegant....
 Do not to take too much since you can only take one suitcase. You can have a second piece of luggage but you will have to pay for it! 5 days worth of clothes is fine. Your host family can do laundry. Just ask them!

Bring a small gift for your host family. Think of something that is truly Californian or American that they can't find in France.

Money:
- Change your dollars into euros before your trip. Everything will be paid for so take pocket money only to get extra things. With the holidays, it might take your banks 10 days to get the money.
- A credit card is the easiest way to pay for something but don't forget that the exchange rate is about 1.30 dollars to the euro and that you will need to add a 3% bank fee for the foreign transaction made on your credit card. You will need to call your credit card company to tell them you will be making purchases in France between January 8th and January 18th. If you don't call them, your credit card will not work!

Cell phone, Skype, Google Chat:
- Your cell phone may work in France. If you have an Iphone, it will. For other phones, you will still need to call your cell phone provider to make sure you can use it there. Ask for international call rates because they can be pretty steep! You can talk to your family for free if you download Skype or use Google Chat. Both you and your family must have a Google account to chat using Google.

Opera with Jacques

Jacques, Hillary and his accompanist after his recital to SA students, 2010

While I was studying in Paris I was given a photo journalist assignment to shoot a day in the life of someone interesting. I spoke with a friend of mine who had invited me to a dinner party and told her about my assignment. She promptly introduced me to Jacques who at the time was a model and I made an appointment to follow him around all day...we've been friends ever since! Now Jacques is an opera singer. A couple of years ago I pulled out the old photos I had taken of him in 1986 and made it into a little movie for his birthday. Take a look!

JFL/The Model and Opera Singer

We will be having a voice lesson and mini recital with Jacques on January 17th, 2013.

Here is his website:
http://www.loiseleurdeslongchamps.com/

Aurore de la Morinerie - Fashion Illustrator/Studio Visit

Aurore sketching a student.

Hillary describing Aurore's process.

Aurore and Hillary in Paris, 1992

I've known Aurore since 1986 when I was studying at Parsons in Paris. She had just finished her studies in fashion design from Arts Appliqués Duperré and was already getting commissions with major magazines and perfume companies. Her work is influenced by her interest in Japanese ink brush work and Chinese calligraphy. Take a look at her website: http://www.auroredelamorinerie.com/

We will be doing a workshop with her in her studio on January 15th, 2013!

Paris Itinerary

Here is the program for our Paris trip:

Tuesday, January 8th Charles-de-Gaulle airport at 11h10  Meet your host family day.	Arrive at Suger around 1.15pm Go home with your host family.
Wednesday, January 9th Tourist Day	Meet at 9 am at the train station at Vaucresson Musée d'art moderne Lunch on the Bateaux Parisiens (12-3pm) Return to the Vaucresson train station at 4.30pm
Thursday, January 10th  Tourist Day	Meet at the train station at Vaucresson at 9am. La Tour Eiffel Afternoon, walk on the du Pont de l’Alma- Avenue Montaigne- jusqu’aux Champs Elysées/ Arc de Triomphe return to Vaucresson at 4.30pm
Friday, January 11th French School & Castle Visit Day	Versailles field trip: we will start with the Jeu de Paume location, then go and do a castle tour in the morning. After lunch, we will walk through the Versailles gardens to Marie-Antoinette's Hameau. This is organized by Anne Morin from our sister school.
Saturday & Sunday, January 12th & 13th Experience Life with a French Family Weekend	Days with your host family. You may be brought to the supermarket, street market, shops, typical everyday things... Make the most of this trip and participate in everything that your host family offers to do. We will not do the following things together. These are things that we have suggested that you do with your host families. Le Louvre Orsay Giverny Le Marais Le père Lachaise Saint-Germain-en-Laye
Monday, January 14th Student Life Day	9am departure from Vaucresson train station Notre-Dame le quartier Latin 12.30pm: lunch in a café La Sorbonne le Jardin du Luxembourg back to the Vaucresson train station at 4.30pm
Tuesday, January 15th Art Day/Aurore	9am departure from Vaucresson train station Hillary takes one group to Aurore’s (maximum 12) for art workshop (10.30am -1.30pm) (Shani, Jax, Olivia, Luisa, Amy, Tevon, Zume, Nicole) 8 the other group stays with Florence: French macaroons Cooking class at 10.30am http://www.atelierdesgateaux.blogspot.com/ (Paris 6 ème),  la Place Vendôme et La Place de la Madeleine (Hédiard, Fauchon) back to Vaucresson at 4.30pm
Wednesday:January 16  Weird Stuff Day	9am departure from Vaucresson train station Les catacombes Lunch: Crêperie Montmartre back to Vaucresson train station at 4.30pm for everyone
Thursday, January17th  Music & Shopping Day	9 am departure Vaucresson train station Saint Augustin: Opera recital at Alexandre d'Oriano's: Jacques’s lyrical program on horses. Tesheia, Shani and Morgan A. are interested in lessons. Shopping afternoon- Les Galeries Lafayettes, Le Printemps, Zara, etc.. back to Vaucresson train station at 4.30pm
Friday, January 18th Time to go home!	Departure from Vaucresson at 6.30am Leave Paris Charles de Gaulle airport: terminal 2E 10.40am arrive at SFO at 1pm Air FRance/Delta flight AF 084 To check if our flight is on time, go to: http://www.airfrance.us/cgi-bin/AF/US/en/local/resainfovol/infovols/actualiteDesVols.do

Ecole Suger has been our sister school in France for a few years now. The school is located in the city of Vaucresson, in the western suburb of Paris. It's only 20 minutes from the center of Paris. This independent school was founded in 1935 and has a middle school, a high school and a boarding school.

There is a new head of school this year that we will meet when we get there!

Anne Morin is the Suger school English teacher who came to SA last year with a group of French students. They had a great time here with us and many of them will host our students in January.

The Suger school website is here: http://www.ecole-suger.com/new/

Discover what the school looks like here too: http://www.ecole-suger.fr/photos

We will meet our students everyday at the Vaucresson station to catch the commuter train to Paris.

I don't have a class photo from the time I was in high school but here is my philosophy teacher on this photo. I remember she had the weirdest dresses and taste: she had this tight leopard dress that she wore with shiny stiletto boots. My peers and I were quite scared!!!

I recognize Madame Martial on the left on this photo. She used to give detentions for tardies!

Ecole Suger

 SA students and hosts from 2010.