Spending six weeks immersed in Paris was a wide-open window for Claire Ziemann, now a junior at Lycée Français de Chicago (LFC), an independent pre-K to grade 12 international school. From navigating public transportation to attending classes with local students, Claire experienced French culture firsthand, all while continuing her rigorous academic curriculum.
And, after that, Claire’s exchange partner came to the U.S. to experience six weeks of school and everyday culture in the Chicago suburbs.
Claire’s mother, Irina Ziemann, says this student exchange program helped her daughter grow both academically and personally.
“It was an experience that gave her the ability to learn to thrive in a different living situation than she was used to,” says Ziemann. “That experience built her confidence and adaptability.”
These are among the benefits that global travel offers Chicago teens.
Real-life opportunities to practice language
LFC, which offers two world-renowned college prep degree programs, is known for its international travel opportunities for high schoolers. Ninth graders can participate in 10 to 14-day “global trips,” while sophomores can experience longer exchange programs.
Last year, five students participated in an exchange program in France, six in Switzerland and three in Spain.
For Claire, who’s been taught French since first grade, “Her goal was to cement her language skills by living abroad,” mom Irina shares. “Here she is learning French, and she uses it in her daily academic life. But she really wanted to use it in her real life, outside of school.”
And she did, from the first day. “She stepped off the plane and had to speak French with the people in customer service and the family of the student she stayed with.”
And, because Lycée is part of a global network of 500+ French schools worldwide that share a curriculum, she didn’t miss a beat with her studies.
Cultural experiences and connections
Claire’s time in Paris wasn’t her only experience abroad. She also traveled to China with her class for a shorter trip, having studied Mandarin since fourth grade.
Staying with a local family and visiting public places gave her a firsthand look at the different ways people live.
“For example, in the community my daughter visited in China, the students would come home from school for dinner, and then would go back in the evening for night school and do extra studying,” Irina says. “Practices like that were completely new to our students.”
While in Paris, Claire also noticed cultural differences, such as how much more people walk or use public transportation. “She felt that it was more sustainable,” Irina says.
And she even had conversations with locals curious about life in the U.S., giving her the chance to share her own culture.
“Building those bridges with people makes for a richer life,” says Irina. “I think also, on a practical side, it gives students some important life skills they can take into any college or career.”
Building lasting confidence
While student travel abroad brings plenty of benefits, one of the most lasting takeaways may be the confidence it helps create.
Claire quickly learned to manage the bus heading to and from school, a shift from her usual drives with her mom. As her confidence grew, she sometimes walked to and from school.
“In Paris, of course, there’s a bakery on every corner,” Irina says. “She would stop for a French pastry on her way back from school. Things like that made it a happy, special experience.”
In these small but meaningful moments, Claire gained a broader sense of independence and self-assurance. New friendships are part of this, too, including her French exchange partner.
“They connect on WhatsApp and have a really nice, close relationship,” Irina says. “She also keeps in touch with other people in her classes abroad.”
Creating a culturally rich future
Claire’s experiences abroad have sparked a desire for more. “She definitely has expressed that she would like to go back — that she enjoyed the lifestyle there,” says Irina. And similar experiences may be on the horizon for her younger son, who’s currently a freshman.
“I think that having the ability to speak multiple languages is a huge asset as kids move into a very globally connected world,” she shares. “Global travel also provides a deeper and better understanding of the current events and issues facing our world right now.”
Discover more about Lycée Français de Chicago, an independent preK-12 international French school located on the north side of Chicago. No background in French is required for most grades, but interest in an international experience is a must.
