Norwood High Gives Students the Opportunity to Travel the World

By Samantha Rogala, Staff Writer

September 25, 2019

Audrey Hepburn once said, “Paris is always a good idea.” Norwood High School decided to test this theory, and has offered students opportunities to see other parts of the world. With traveling programs like Carousel, run by Mr. Buhler, Norwood families open their homes to students from France. In October, the French students of Institut Sainte Geneviève will stay with their NHS host families for 11 days. In April, the NHS students hosting will travel to France and stay with their host family. 

Sophomore Annie Sisk is participating in the program, and will be traveling over April vacation to Asnières-sur-Seine, France, which is just outside Paris. “I’ve always really wanted to go to France. It’s part of the reason why I took French class. I’ve always wanted to go there and now I’m getting the chance to.” She describes the opportunity as “a dream come true.”

Due to the timing of her exchange student’s arrival, Sisk will have the chance to introduce her to some new things. “My exchange student...she’ll be coming the day before Halloween...I’m really excited to show her Halloween because they don’t have Halloween in France…” The holiday isn’t very popular in France, especially due to its proximity to All Saint’s Day. Sisk also wants to introduce some popular movies to the exchange student. “I’ll possibly show her...maybe Napoleon Dynamite.”

On her trip, Sisk and the other students will visit many educational and famous sites. Among these are Normandy and Paris. “We’re going to visit a lot of places…I know we are going to see the D-Day landing sites...I know we’re going to the Eiffel Tower, like all the way to the top. I’m gonna bring my mom’s camera ‘cause I want to take good pictures of everything.” 

Sisk looks forward to the cultural aspect of the trip. “I think it’s really interesting that we’re going to a lot of historical places that I feel like if you were a tourist you might not get to go see, and I think since we’re traveling with the school it’s different. I feel like it’s gonna be less touristy since we’re staying with another family, it might be more, like, getting immersed in the culture.”

Sisk heard about the Carousel Program in French class as a freshman. “Last year my French teacher brought up the exchange program, the students coming here...with the possibility of us being able to go back, but that wasn’t guaranteed.” She was immediately interested. “I have a scratch map thing in my room and...I’m excited to scratch France off there when I come back.” 

Although there are many exciting things to look forward to, traveling to a new country can be stressful. “I think I’m the most nervous probably for staying at another family’s house because...I think it’s nerve-wracking just to stay with strangers...I’m also nervous for the food because I’m really picky.”

Sisk is preparing for her trip in April by trying new foods, practicing her French, and most importantly, buying a bigger suitcase.

For more information, visit Mr. Buhler in room 237 or go to the following link.

<https://www.carousel-tours.com/paris>