A French Exchange Experience

Two months after our visit to Reims in France, it was time for our exchange partners to visit us in Manchester. When we visited France, I had been the envy of the group because my exchange partner was the daughter of a champagne producer. Yes, you've guessed it, champagne with every meal! It had been a wonderful visit, and I had been extremely well-accomodated. Knowing that the accommodation 'chez moi' would be less luxurious, I had taken to opportunity to warn Clémence that we would be sharing a room when she stayed with my family. She didn't seem too concerned. To be honest, by the time of her visit, I was just really excited to see her and show her the city of Manchester. We had got along so well during the week in France, I knew that this visit would be the same.

My mum prepared for the Clémence's arrival by generally worrying. She bought plenty of French cheeses, croissants and baguettes when she did the shopping at the supermarket. My Dad is fairly outgoing, but does tend to panic when somebody speaks to him in a foreign accent. He had been instructed by my mum to speak slowly to Clémence! I think that they were quite nervous about having a French person in the house for a week. I didn't really understand this, but then, I knew Clémence.

Clémence fitted into our family-life really easily. She was so polite and happy. She ate my mum's cooking, and was really happy to try the vegetarian food that I ate. She got along really well with my dad and brother, feigning an admirable level of interest in football and Manchester City!

Our room-sharing posed no problems. I insisted that Clémence slept in my bed, and I slept on the mattress. In the mornings, we often stayed in bed and giggled like old friends. As Clémence was working hard speaking English to my family, we spoke in French to one-another. This was never planned nor agreed, but just happened naturally. This was great for me, as I would be taking my A-level speaking exams a few weeks later.

The week had lots packed into it. The French visitors came into school with us and attended lessons. Everybody was intrigued by them, and especially the speed at which they spoke to one another in French. As a group, we also had some formal activities arranged. Of course, we proudly showed them Manchester. We also had a full day trip away visiting Liverpool and Chester. There was perhaps less to see than in Paris, but never-the-less we visited the cathedrals, the docks and the shops. There was also a formal evening planned at the school, whereby we had a buffet with the French visitors, our parents and some of our teachers.

But the most fun was to come from the activities we arranged ourselves. We had an evening at the pub owned by one of the English exchange partners. Having never visited a pub before, the French visitors loved this, and put a fortune into the juke-box! We were all dancing and singing. This gave us the idea to visit a night-club in Manchester for one of the famous 'student nights'. We were all aged 18 and accustomed to going into town for social nights out. But when I proposed this to my parents, they were horrified. They worried enough about me going out, and were very reluctant for me to take Clémence. We a found a solution, and my poor Dad had to drop us at the door and pick us up at 2am. We had a wonderful night! There were no problems, just lots of fun.

I suspected that I might be pleased to say 'au revoir' and get my room back at the end of the week. But this was not the case. We shared a teary goodbye with lots of hugs. My parents were also delighted with the bottle of champagne which Clémence left them as a gift. My dad made me a lamp for me out of the empty bottle, which I always treasured. Clémence and I kept in touch for many years, but this drifted over time. I have great memories of my exchange visits and my special French friend. There is a certain song which will always remind me of our week together, as it was played over and over again on the juke box during our evening in the pub!


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Alex Logan offers brilliant tips and advice on hosting foreign students. Find out what to do, what never to do and where

to find fee paying students. You can download my free eBook '50 Essential Tips BEFORE becoming a Host Family'.

http://xilfee.eu/static/ebook/50Tips.pdf => FREE eBook 50 Essential Tips BEFORE becoming a Host Family.


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