3rd - France

After welcoming our guests, we presented the activities of the week and made up 6 groups of students mixing all the nationalities. For most of the activities, the students remained within those groups, it helped them getting to know each other and made them speak English.

As a team, they did some ice-breaking activities before lunch at the canteen.

In the afternoon, the students were involved in different classes in groups of 2 or 3; It was a chance for them to compare both educational systems.

On Tuesday, we went by bus to the Camargue Area and spent the day there. In the morning we visited the ornithological park. First, the students worked on vocabulary in order to be able to pick out information about the migrating birds and flamingos. The students were at the heart ot the biosphere reserve and learnt on the importance of preserving nature, water management and reforestation. Next we enjoyed our picnic on the beach (some Czech students saw the sea for the 1st time) and we played some street games before our trip back. In the bus, the students completed the challenge by preparing a slideshow about what they had learnt during the day.

On the 3rd day, at school, in groups and lead by the Chef of the canteen and cooks the students prepared some typical and healthy meals from southern France :Tapenade, semolina bread, pissaladière…

In the afternoon, the students worked on street games such as the pétanque… 

Later in the evening, families, teachers, the accountant and headmaster, the mayor of the city with some journalists from the city and from La Provence newspaper gathered. After a few speeches and a presentation of the project, we all had a good time tasting the different dishes prepared by students in the morning and exchanging about our experiences during the project with parents, teachers and students.

On Thursday, we went to Marseille. Marseille is the second largest city in France. In the morning,in groups we did a treasure hunt within the city center and the Panier area of Marseille in order to know the city better.  In the afternoon, we went up to Notre Dame de la Garde, a landmark of Marseille, from there we had a stunning view of the city and the area.

Finally on Friday, we met at 9 am for a long hike up to the Garlaban massif, peaking at 715 m. The Garlaban owe its reputation to Marcel Pagnol.a writer and filmmaker. 

It was a challenge for most of the students and a first time also for most of the French students.   It combined wilderness and culture.  We met at the bottom with the Headmaster and parents around 4 pm, we enjoyed a snack offered by the parents and got our certificates. The pupils were happy to have accomplished such a hike, even if it was really challenging for some of them. 

It was a great successful experience, an exchange of not only activities but also experiences, feelings, daily life at school and within families. Students and teachers felt as part of the same European community with all its differences.