Brandee Klieber, French teacher at Normal West helped many students go on the trip of their dreams to France over the summer.
Klieber planned the trip alongside travel company Students Love Travel in order to provide interested West students with an authentic trip.
“Students Love Travel is cool because you’re traveling in small groups and in ways that people in that country actually do…like with the metro and buses and stuff,” Kleiber explains.
And giving the students a genuine experience was the most important goal for Kleiber. In fact, the action-packed trip immersed a handful of students into the French culture that they learn about every day in the classroom with Klieber.
“The whole reason I’m a teacher is to teach about these things, about these cultural aspects but then see it come to life for students,” Klieber shares.
Students also liked having the chance to use their skills from the classroom in real life settings.
“I adored being able to embrace French culture and to speak the language. The part I loved most was recognizing things we learned in class,” Senior French IV student, Scarlet Bauman Carter recalls of the trip.
“Yeah it’s cool to see other people experience this stuff for the first time and be wowed, like I’m wowed,” Klieber adds.
The group set off at the end of June, flying straight to Paris and taking public transit to their hotel. Then, it was time for the students to explore the city.
The group spent their first night in the city going to the catacombs. They toured the intricate tunnels under the city at night and the darkness made the experience “spooky” according to Klieber.
A river cruise along the Seine showcased many outstanding spots in France like the Notre Dame, the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower’s nightly sparkle.
They also traveled to Nice to spend time enjoying the weather and beaches. In Neem, they had a picnic and explored some Roman ruins and architecture.
In addition, they toured Marseille and Cannes.
“We went to the beach in Nice and it was so nice to enjoy the weather and talk to my friends,” Carter shares.
This summer’s trip to France offered invested students a culturally immersive experience, which they remember fondly.
