SSHS Students Embark on Immersive French Exchange Experience

For 14 students from Steamboat Springs School, this year’s Spring Break will offer opportunities to gain confidence, build cross-cultural relationships, and step out of their comfort zones in ways that can’t be replicated in the classroom or on the ski slopes. 

From April 19 to May 2, students and organizers will travel to France and immerse themselves in French culture by living with French families and attending school. The trip begins in Paris, where students will visit landmarks such as Notre Dame Cathedral, the Catacombs, and the Louvre. They will then travel to Nancy, France, where they will spend 10 days living with host families and attending school at Lycée Frédéric Chopin.

Unlike a typical tour, the exchange immerses students in everyday French life. They will experience routines, meals, and cultural norms firsthand, offering a deeper understanding of French culture.

“A family exchange immerses students in language in context and provides new cultural experiences simply through daily life,” said French teacher Prof. Rebecca Cohen. “It is a supported way to expand one’s comfort zone.”

The program is part of an ongoing partnership between Steamboat Springs High School and Lycée Frédéric Chopin. In addition to traveling abroad, Steamboat students and families will host French students in the fall, continuing the cultural exchange. This is the second year SSHS and Lycée Frédéric Chopin have participated in an exchange program. 

Josie Beckner, a junior, has always wanted to go to France and is seizing this opportunity. She is enrolled in AP French, with three years of French in high school and three in middle school. She wants to explore how daily life is different in another country. 

She is most nervous about the cultural shock and most excited about the food. 

“I think the biggest challenge will be the cultural differences,” she said. “But I also want that. I want to be pushed out of my comfort zone.”

Harper West, a freshman, has been to France before but expects this trip to offer a different level of cultural exposure than previous trips. Between living in a French family’s house and attending a French school, she hopes to learn more about how the French work, do chores, and live their daily lives.

Ultimately, she wants to gain confidence in using French.

“I hope this helps me feel more comfortable speaking French in everyday situations,” she said.

Both students see the exchange as an opportunity to strengthen their language skills, particularly in real-life settings.

This year’s trip also stands out for its accessibility. Parent volunteer Emily Conjura, who has previously lived in France, coordinated logistics directly with a French travel agency, reducing the cost of the trip compared to the previous year.  Additionally, this year, students who have not taken French were invited to participate. 

As students prepare to depart, they are encouraged to approach the experience with curiosity and openness. SSHS counselor Cheryl Fullerton met with students and parents to share strategies for navigating unfamiliar situations, emphasizing the importance of staying open to new experiences, people, and environments. She encouraged students to “presume positive intentions,” reminding them that host families and schools genuinely want them to have a positive experience in their homes, their classrooms, and in France.

“Beyond practicing language skills, witnessing the growth in maturity for SSHS France exchange participants, from being hesitant to confident away from home, is very inspiring and rewarding,” said Cohen. “The strong connections made in a very short period of time can be very special.”