SA students with their Host Families

Izzy-
        My trip to France was amazing and absolutely one of a lifetime. My host family was incredibly welcoming and in the first night I instantly felt like I fit into their family. Throughout my stay, I was able to get to know both my host girl, but her mom as well. They made me feel included in their family discussions. They would ask me about how life in the US was and how much different France was. Naomi, my host sister, told me how she was looking forward to coming to visit the US and hopefully one day returning to go to college at Yale. Over the weekend I spent with my family, we went to the louvre and the aquarium. They had never been to an aquarium before, so the experience of being there was as new for them as it was for me.
        The sights we saw with the class were amazing. Throughout the trip,  everything seemed unreal to me. It was an amazing sight going on the train everyday to Paris, and seeing the Eiffel Tower peaking out from between the buildings. After a while I was around French speakers for so long that eventually I started to be confused when I heard English.
        This trip is definitely one that I will never forget!

Carsen and

Musings on the experience by Morgan B

'Unique' holdings a bit of meaning to me after a lengthy discussion with Martin, my french host-brother, about the definition of the word. So for me to call this trip unique holds a little sentimental value as well as truth. I'd been to Paris once before with my mother, but it was very different than living with Martin. It was different with snow on the ground and to be, primarily, with people my own age. I learned much more than French. As a rural kid, I am used to personal space and quiet nights. I encountered Metro stations, competitive patisseries, and much more contact with people. Martin was a wonderful host. He introduced me to lots of french people to try out my introductions and find people who I could and could not understand. He made a point to make me blend into Paris and experience what Paris-life really felt like. He was also very patient with my speaking, which I appreciated very much. I stayed at his mother's apartment during my time there where Martin's older brother also lived. But I got to meet with his Father, Step-Mother and little brother twice for dinner. I also met his Aunt who took me to an authentic market and cooked ratatouie with me on Saturday as well as taking Martin and I to the Louvre on Sunday. They were all incredibly welcoming to me and I am very grateful to have been paired with such a generous and interesting host family. Except for on some occasions, we spoke French at home. My host family was a big part of my experience. It added a lot of cultural learning opportunities as well as communicational challenges to overcome. As an unpredicted added benefit, I became closer to the students from Sonoma Academy as well. In terms of highlights, I thoroughly enjoyed the day we went to Montmartre and the Sacre Coeur. Cathedrals are wonderful pieces of highly functional art we rarely see in America. In Montmartre I bought a little six by three inch painting from a small, paint-sprinkled man to remember the trip and gave a euro to a mime who made a good show. Making macarons was also great fun! I am very excited to try the recipe at home and no longer fear difficult cooking! I think the time we got in small groups, without Florence and Hillary, did a lot for a taste of independence. I really appreciate that we got a little time without supervision go to cafés and stores, and to practice adulthood. The whole trip was a special time I will remember for the rest of my life. On Friday, Martin and I woke up at 5:00 am. We took a taxi to the station we usually took a train to every morning and unloaded my bag. I hugged Martin, to his surprise, and boarded the bus. From my window seat I could see Martin and only after the bus started up and his figure began to shrink did I realize this particular experience was closing. I would recommend it to anyone who could pick up this opportunity. It is absolutely unique.