Exchange students from l’Institut d’Alzon in Nimes, France, have left. What were their impressions of Potomac Falls and America as a whole?

    On Mar. 3, a group of 16 exchange students from Nimes, France, came to shadow Potomac Falls students. They stayed from Mar. 3 to 11. While here, they toured D.C, shadowed students, and saw a glimpse of American life. 

    As expected, there were multiple culture shocks and differences between the two cultures. Everything ranging from school, clothes, architecture, food, and more was incredibly different. 

    Visiting Potomac Falls was a big shock to the exchange students. The students expected to see lockers, a football field, and crazy hallways packed with students. There were a couple of surprises though. 

    Hundreds of students walk past the school store everyday, but to a French student, it’s completely bizarre. “It’s a very American thing; we don’t have any school stores,” said exchange student Coline Rodet. 

    In comparison to l’Institut d’Alzon, Potomac Falls seemed relaxed according to the exchange students. French high schoolers need a school issued ID to enter the building and their classes start at 8 a.m. and end from 4 to 6 p.m. French schools have a much stricter dress code as well. 

    Their grading system is also completely different. They don’t use an alphabetical system for grades but rather use scores out of 20. In France, it’s impossible to get a 20 out of 20 in class because their professors don’t believe in perfect scores. 

    Exchange students Coline Rodet and Chloe Franchon were curious to see what American school was like in comparison to their home. “I think that French education is more rigid than in the United States. American students are much more free than French students,” said Rodet. 

    “I was surprised that students can leave the classroom without asking,” said Frachon. 

    Some of the students had never been to the United States before while others had visited different parts of the country. “It’s my first time [here]. I really liked walking along the national mall,” said Franchon. 

    The exchange students toured the National Mall, National Museum of African American History and Culture, the Library of Congress, the Capitol, the Arlington Cemetery, and Mt. Vernon. They went all over D.C. and got a glimpse of both cultural and historical sites. “It was very nice to see the large buildings in D.C. and learn about the city,” said Rodet.

    On Mar. 11, they left for New York where they will see Ellis Island, the Empire State Building, and Times Square.