French Exchange Students Bring Culture and Connection to FWCD

FWCD recently welcomed a group of French exchange students from Lycée Albert Camus in Nîmes, France, as part of an enriching cultural exchange program. In partnership with World Languages Institute and Nolan Catholic High School, FWCD Upper School students had the opportunity to host and learn from their international guests during their stay in Fort Worth, March 2-9.

The visiting students stayed with host families while immersing themselves in American school life and local culture. FWCD students Murphy Hoefer ’25, Olivia Miller ’26 and Gigi Helling ’26 graciously opened their homes to Aimie Torres-Tuset, Jade Simian and Celestine Reynaud, respectively. Chelsy Beninate, Assistant Head of School for Operations and Security, hosted their teacher, Christine Legros. 

The French students attended classes at FWCD, WLI and Nolan Catholic throughout the week, engaging with their American peers and experiencing different educational settings. Their itinerary included visits to notable Fort Worth landmarks such as AT&T Stadium, Globe Life Field, the Fort Worth Zoo and the Stockyards. The exchange culminated in a farewell dinner on March 8, hosted by Fort Worth Sister Cities International. 

One of the highlights of the FWCD exchange was a presentation by the French students, offering a glimpse into their lives. They gave an overview of their country's diverse geography, from medieval cities and alpine villages to Mediterranean coastlines. Additionally, they touched on France’s cultural influence in cuisine, art, fashion and philosophy.

The French students also discussed the 2024 Paris Olympics, emphasizing the unique opening ceremony along the Seine and key French athletes like Leon Marchand (swimming), Teddy Riner (judo) and Felix Lebrun (table tennis).

The presentation included insights into the French school system, noting differences from the U.S., such as longer school hours (8 a.m.- 6 p.m. with breaks), a set academic curriculum with little choice and no arts or athletics, and a university admission process based solely on grades rather than extracurricular activities.

Additionally, the students touched on French cuisine, the popularity of fast food chains alongside café culture, and famous French figures in sports (Tony Parker, Victor Wembanyama, Kylian Mbappé), music (David Guetta, Edith Piaf, Stromae), and film (Marion Cotillard, Timothée Chalamet, Jean Dujardin).

Overall, the students provided a broad look at French life, blending historical, cultural and contemporary elements.