Heritage Tourism Programs in France

Attending The Experiment trip gave me a good sense of the reality in a different country. I got to meet my groupmates, my host family, and even random people who became friends. My group mates were really good and fun. My host family was amazing. I got to see how the typical small town in France is and I met their family members. Switzerland was very cool. Everything was expensive, but the town was very beautiful and right on the lake.

I loved my experience on the France: Cultural Discovery Trip. I loved everywhere we visited, from the big city of Paris, to my tiny homestay town of Bruley, and everywhere in between. I also loved the excursion to Montreux, in Switzerland, definitely one of the most beautiful places I have been with the deep blue water of Lake Geneva with steep mountains surrounding everything, it was breath taking. My host family completely blew my expectations out of the water, they were so nice and accommodating, including me in almost everything, I really felt like a part of a French family. I also liked how much they paid attention to the information about myself that I had told them in my introduction letter. For example, I had mentioned that I love to fly fish and they took me to a fish farm in the area, where I got to see some of the biggest trout I have ever saw, and even try to fish for some. They also introduced me to so many new and interesting experiences, such as a long, traditional French meal after a baptism. I have never sat in one place for so long just eating. One day we even went to Germany when me and my host family visited Strasbourg. I asked if we could go across the Rhine River to the German town of Kehl, and they agreed that would be a cool experience. They also took me to the city of Verdun, where the major World War I battle happened. They knew I was also very into history, so this was really cool also. I also appreciated the small things too like eating dinner with the family, playing bocci/pétanque with my host siblings and their friends, or just having conversations and trying to speak English as simply as possible and get better with my French speaking/listening skills. Besides my time with my host family, I loved roaming the Paris streets with my newly made friends, seeing the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the different gardens, and trying new foods like steak tartare, roasted bone marrow, and sauteed frogs legs. The city of Nancy, near our homestay towns was also very historic and beautiful with the large Place Stanislas and many other historical buildings. Going to Switzerland was so beautiful. The mountains were unlike any I had ever seen from the ground. We visited Gruyere, famous for their cheese, and the medieval town. While there we visited a castle which was very cool, and got to see a chocolate factory and how they make their chocolate. Over all the places we visited and the new experiences are what really made this trip and for me, sparked what I hope is a lifetimes desire to travel the world and experience as many different cultures as possible.

I was so lucky to be able to spend my summer in the beauty that is France. Leaving the country without anyone I knew was definitely scary but it was so rewarding. We got to see some of the most famous things in the world such as the Eiffel Tower, the Mona Lisa, the Notre Dame, and the Arc de Triomphe. Seeing how the French lived their lives daily helped me adapt to the culture and although we did a lot of sightseeing we also got t experience the French life. We did this by shopping for our food in grocery stores or restaurants, navigating the Metro, and walking around to explore. At first, it was scary but making friends made the experience more rewarding and fun. I would recommend applying for this program because it truly is a once in a lifetime experience.

This program offered many new experiences for me, and I found some great friends that I still keep in touch with. I improved my French and was able to talk with my friend in French with the surprise of the others. It was quite the fun group that made everyone feel welcome. In addition the home stay experience was amazing, and the team leaders made sure everyone was doing okay. It was an amazing experience that has changed my life. Simply the greatest time.

I had the amazing opportunity to travel to France and Switzerland with a group of 15 people. During our trip, we explored various cities in France, tried different types of food to broaden our palates, and participated in several thrilling activities. Although I wished our leaders had more activities pre-planned, I still had a fantastic time. While the idea of staying with a host family was initially scary, I eventually grew comfortable with it. If given the chance to travel again, I would do it without hesitation.

On my trip, I met the best people who I still talk to months later. I had so much fun. I often go back to pictures and remember the times and places where these took place. My group leaders made sure everyone was having fun constantly and the free time that we had helped to immerse us into the culture. I would 100% recommend it to others. Some key advice that I have is to learn the language of the place you're going! Luckily, I had two friends who spoke the language very well but when I was by myself trying to speak, I did not do so well. Take the time to learn and you will have a way better experience! This taught me a plentiful amount of things that I don't have space to fit on here. I would automatically do this again if I had the resources. I loved it!

I recently participated in The Experiments "France: Cultural Discovery" program for 22 days (July 2 to July 24), and it was one of the best experiences I've had. I got to experience how much more there is to the world and experience different countries norms. It was a little confusing at first but I eventually learned to adapt. I got to learn how to be independent in a foreign country and got to experience living with a French family for a week. Meeting other students on the trip was also nice, because we had each other to depend on. My personal favorite experience was when we went kayaking because it helped develop bonds in our group. During the trip, we also got to visit Freiburg, Germany and go swimming near the Black Forest. The only thing I could wish for was if the trip lasted a little longer.

The experience I had this summer was nothing I had ever done before. I got to discover new cultures and learn about life that wasn’t just on my island! This was my first time out of state and country and I don’t think there is any way it could have been better. My favorite part of the trip was the home stay because of the connection formed between people who without this program would have never met.

I loved my experience with the Experiment! I had so much fun meeting new students from all over the country and learning new things. France was so different from what I’m used to and I’m grateful that I got the proper introduction to France. I even learned some French. I loved my homestay parents and how kind they were, they were experienced homestay parents which made it easier for me. My favorite experience was when I tried frog legs, snails, and duck liver because it was different from what i’m used to! My group leaders Caroline and Bill were amazing and truly kind people who helped us whenever we needed it. Thank you!

I loved the whole program. We were able to see both the touristic side of France and a more general day-to-day life. The views were beautiful and the people were extremely welcoming and helpful as well.

The Experiment in International Living allowed me time to witness a new country, landscape, and language, all while in the company of like-minded peers. I went to France and Germany with the Experiment as a part of their France: Regional Cultures program. While there, I stayed with a host family in Nancy, rode the subway in Paris to visit both common landmarks and obscure farmers’ markets, and took a ski lift high up into the mountains in Freiburg to see the Black Forest from above. I had time to bond with my fellow experimenters and my host siblings during activities like landmark scavenger hunts and learned a lot about people from not only all over France but all over the U.S. as well. My trip with the Experiment in International Living was a wonderful opportunity, and I encourage high school students looking for travel opportunities to look into it!

Where do I even begin? I loved every single second of those three weeks. I reminisce about it. I wish I can go through everything again. I remember when my group and I first met, we were all so quiet and nervous. Who knew how much amazing things were going to come our way? From seeing masterpieces at the Louvre to climbing up steps of the Notre Dame to seeing the Eiffel Tower in front of our very eyes to canoeing at Le Gard to celebrating France's victory on the World Cup of 2018. Every moment was captivating and mesmerizing. Friendships that started out as caterpillars into blooming like butterflies. I don't even know what to say because so many wonderful things happened. It makes me sad knowing that I won't experience that exact moment ever again in my life. I love my homestay family, they made me feel at home even when home was 6,000 kilometers away. I cried so much when I had to leave them, but we exchanged a "see you soon" instead of "goodbye." Then we went to Italy, Italy is beautiful, it's so colorful as if cans of paint splashed on it, an artwork...a masterpiece. The pizza was so good, and I wish I can teleport myself back there and taste it one more time. From starting in Paris to Nimes to Santa Margherita Ligure in Italy back to France in Nice to ending our journey in Paris, we went on so many excursions, explorations, and had so much fun. Saying goodbye was very hard but I wouldn't change a thing. I'm very grateful and thankful for the Experiment in International Living for giving me this experience. It may sound over-exaggerated to say that this experience was life-changing, but it really expanded my perspective of the world and myself as an individual. The more effort you put into it, the more you will get out of it. So thank you to the Experiment in International Living from the bottom of my heart. These are memories that I will cherish forever.

Being able to fully immerse myself into the culture was the best thing ever. Also meeting students from around the United States was great and I got to make friendships that will last a lifetime. However, some people acted as if they did not want to be there and did not try new things. I would recommend looking more into the actual interest of a student to try new foods and to be aware of the cultural shock. Overall, I had an amazing time and I think the leaders were perfectly trained for any situation and were the best i could have asked for. I also think the home stay program was amazing and that I was paired perfectly.

I was very pleased with my experience in France and Germany. It was amazing to see how much cultures can change in one country and around the borders of that country. Also, it was cool to see how Freiburg and Strasbourg were so similar but a part of different countries. I won't change my experience for anything in the world; I'm so glad I had the opportunity to see Europe and with amazing people!

This experience in France will forever change me. I was able to feel as if I was a native french person during parts of this trip. The group leaders were the amazing and always there for everyone in our group. The people were amazing and I am so grateful I was able to participate in something so amazing as this.

Travelling with Global Works to France was an immensely gratifying and enjoyable experience that introduced me to French culture and helped me to improve my conversational skills. I couldn't have asked for better group leaders; both of them were responsible, very fun to be around, and genuinely cared about our well being. In the beginning of the trip, when nobody knew each other, their activities allowed us to quickly acclimate to each other and the language. When a few of the students unfortunately stepped on sea urchins at the beach, the leaders responded professionally and made sure the injured were well taken care of. The volunteer opportunities, which included the restoration of the ancient canals of Cabrespine during our home stay and working with children in Versailles, were very fruitful experiences. They reminded me that the purpose of the trip was not just a selfish one; that we were helping the community in a way that could not have happened if it weren't for volunteer groups such as ours. Probably the best part of the trip was the home stay. Our family was very caring and considerate of the challenges of an immersion environment; they knew to speak more slowly and clearly so that we could understand and helped us if we were having trouble finding the right word. Our family made an effort to make the stay exciting and comfortable, with many sight-seeing trips to the town, and a memorable soccer match between France and Portugal. Through the homestay, I was able to practice French with real French people and further my comprehension and learn language skills that cannot be learned in a classroom. While I certainly greatly improved my French language and conversational skills during the homestay and volunteer work, I felt that it was not entirely immersion within the group. This was mostly due to the varying ability levels of French within the group, ranging from 1 year to my 9 years of French. I would probably choose a narrower range of language ability so that all of the students can feel comfortable in the target language.

This is a parent review of France: Language and Leadership from July 5-July 20, 2016. My 16 year-old son, who is a native English speaker has been taking French since first grade. We had been to France twice with him but a few days traveling as tourists was not enough to practice his French and to get to know the culture intimately and deeply. Global Works provided him not just the full immersion in the language but it also offered him a glimpse of what life in Carcassonne, a quaint, medieval, picturesque town in Southern France was like. Not only did he immersed himself in the language but Global Works' experienced staff led him and his group to service learning through environmental reclamation and working in a summer camp for French children! Specifically, my husband and I enjoyed reading the travel blogs provided on Global Works' website. The pictures on the blog were also quite precious since it provided us an idea about what the program was really about. Overall, he thoroughly had a great time and we, as parents are quite satisfied with how Global Works provided him with a meaningful, productive and memorable summer!

This trip impacted my life in many ways. It helped me discover who I am. It helped me become independent and learn about new things around me. It taught me to appreciate the little things in other cultures. It taught me how to communicate with others that cannot understand you. This trip taught me to branch out and try new experiences. It was one of the best experiences I've ever had and I will never forget a second of it.

The Experiment in International Living responded to this reviewDecember 18, 2014

Thank you for the review! Happy you enjoyed France and, in particular, appreciating the little things. :)<br/>-The Experiment

This trip was my first experience in travelling alone and going to Europe. You gain so much more knowledge when you are around fellow experimenters just like you and immersing into the different culture. I came back home with more confidence in myself and earned life changing experiences. The experience itself was amazing and adventurous. Also, my host family has become an extended part of my family on the other side of the world, and I still keep in contact with them. I recommend this program because this program allows you to experiment and explore within the country from France and as well as Germany with plans made everyday for you to enjoy.

The Experiment in International Living responded to this reviewDecember 18, 2014

Thank you for the review! Happy you have a newfound independence and love of exploring other countries. :)<br/>-The Experiment

I could not have been happier with my Global Works experience! Everything from the first day name games to the good-byes went smoothly. Everyone attending had an excellent attitude towards learning a new language and learning more about themselves. Because of this trip, I am far more confident than I could have ever imagined, and I can't wait to bring my new confidence and knowledge to other parts of my life.