Recently, some SCHS students may have noticed some new faces attending their classes. These are not permanent students, but members of our French and Irish exchange program. These students are here to accompany their hosts throughout their day as a way to get hands-on experience learning about our culture and lifestyle. 

But, what’s so different that this ordinary, Midwestern town would be worth the visit?

The French students arrived first, having flown overseas from Mornant, a small town near the city of Lyon, where they attend St. Thomas d’Aquin.

Diane Cornet, a sophomore, noticed quite a few differences between St. Charles High and St. Thomas d’Aquin.

“The way some people dress…” said Cornet, “In France, you can’t show your shoulders, or your knees.” 

She also noted that our teachers are much friendlier than she’s used to, an observation shared by her colleagues.

Her host, Annabelle Utlaut, found the experience educational. 

“I’ll just find myself talking French on a daily basis… I’ll just like, ask her randomly how to say something in French if I’m curious.”

Martin Bouillou, a classmate of hers, also finds the school, and the country, to be very different from his own.

“Your accent.” said Bouillou, “I don’t understand all of… the accent, you say.”

He also expressed his appreciation of two things: our architecture, and good old American football.

Bouillou, along with his host Tyler Veith, appreciate the practice they’ve gotten from spending so much time together.

Titouan Espenel, another French visitor, is also enjoying his time in the states.

“It’s a… cool country, everything is nice, everyone is nice,” Espenel said.

However, there was one aspect of our school day that he singled out as strange. According to Espenel, AIP is not a part of his school day back home. Like his classmate, Bouillou, he also expressed an interest in American football.

Several days after the French arrived, students from Buncrana, Ireland, also began attending classes.

Merunas Jocys, a freshman at Scoil Mhuire in Ireland, noted how easy it is for Americans to acquire guns. Slade Nagel, his host, explained that he had taken Jocys to a Bass Pro the night before. Jocys also mentioned our use of yellow school buses, a concept foreign to most people outside the US.

Ruby Gillespie, another freshman from Scoil Mhuire, mentioned that the mood at St. Charles High is much different than that at Scoil Mhuire. 

“I’d say everyone’s in a better mood here than what we are in Ireland.”

Gillespie mentioned that she was quite enjoying her time so far- and that she was looking forward to trying some typical American public school lunch, specifically, tater tots.

Freshman Shania Dogherty explained that, compared to Ireland, everything in America seemed 10 times bigger.

She also expressed her opinions on our food.

“The food,” said Dogherty. “It’s weird.”

Cosmic Brownies, though, seem to be the exception.