Schools

Palatine Sister City Relationship is Going Strong

The sister city relationship between Palatine and Fontenay-le-Comte, France, has added a new dimension that may in fact cement the two cities' relationship for generations to come.

The sister city relationship between Palatine and Fontenay-le-Comte, France, has added a new dimension that may in fact cement the two cities’ relationship for generations to come. For the past week and for the next two weeks, 11-year-old Maelle Fourage of Fontenay has been living in Palatine with local families and attending Quest Academy. In return, Maelle and her family will soon host her two Palatine “sisters” in Fontenay. The girl's father is the mayor of Fontenay. 

The driving force between this exchange, which given the young age of the participants is most unique, is the Palatine-Fontenay Sister City organization. “This is the kind of experience that allows all of us to put into practice the idea of cultural exchanges between sister cities and make global understanding a reality,” said Palatine Sister Cities president Nghi Loi Pappas.

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As a private independent school at which middle school students study both French and Mandarin Chinese, the opportunity to host a French student and afford its own students the opportunity to experience France and French culture first-hand, was an opportunity too good to pass up. “When first presented with this idea, I immediately realized the tremendous growth opportunities this exchange represented for all our students,” said Ben Hebebrand, Head of School.

The Quest Academy Middle School teacher Mrs. Lisa Kropp agrees: “The impact of the student exchange on my students is profound. The ability to interact with a French speaker their own age in everyday situations has awakened the realization that the language they are studying is REAL. It’s a living thing that truly enriches their ability to share their ideas, their culture, themselves with people that would otherwise be beyond their reach. Classroom exposure is a glimpse through a crack in a wall. An exchange blows a hole in that wall and brings it crumbling down,” she explained.

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From Maelle’s perspective, “Classes are shorter and some subjects at Quest are not offered in French schools such as Theatre.  The relationship between teachers and students is also different; it is friendlier here and not so  distant as it is in France.  Also, lunch hour here is only 20 minutes, while in France it is from noon till 2 p.m.”  Maelle is also surprised that students are allowed to eat and drink in the classroom.

So far, her favorite places and activities here are “visiting the Willis Tower, Navy Pier, Extreme Trampoline and bowling.”  And, her favorite food is “the sandwich I pack to take to school, ham and cheese!”

Maelle said she is thoroughly enjoying her visit here.  She loves her host families, is making great friends, and wishes to come back again.  Her two host sisters will visit her family in France in July for two weeks when they will be part of the Bastille Day celebration July 14th.

Information provided by Quest Academy. 
 


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