On April 12, 24 students and three teachers from Lycée Baudelaire in Roubaix France arrived in Southwest Wisconsin.

Twelve students and their English teacher stayed in Platteville, while the remaining 12 and two other chaperones stayed in Lancaster until April 22.

The exchange between Lycée Baudelaire and Lancaster High School has existed for more than 30 years; Platteville High School joined in the exchange in 2007.

During their stay, the French students visited many local attractions as well as attended class at both PHS and UW–Platteville. They took a day trip to Villa Louis in Prairie du Chien and Southwest Wisconsin Technical College in Fennimore. In addition, they toured UW–Madison, lunched on State Street and shopped at West Towne Mall.

In the afternoons, they enjoyed watching their correspondents participate in after-school activities like track, soccer, baseball, softball and golf. They were fortunate to be here over Easter weekend, and so they were also able to experience the way that Americans celebrate the holiday.

There were many tears as the PHS students and parents said “au revoir” to their correspondents. The 10-day stay gave them all a wonderful opportunity to get to know each other and discover their different ways of life.

This is not the end for many of them. On June 17, 10 PHS students, along with students from Lancaster High School and Holmen High School, will embark on a journey of their own to discover what life is like for their French friends. They will participate in a 15-day tour of northern France during which five days will be spent living with their French correspondent in Roubaix.

“This exchange is an incredible opportunity for PHS students to extend their learning outside of the classroom and experience the joys and adventures that come with traveling the world,” said PHS teacher Elizabeth Peters.