Celebrating a Decade of Discovery: DHPS France Trip Turns 10
2025 marks not just another Cultural and Language Trip to France, but the celebration of the 10th anniversary of this exciting project.
It all began with the Grade 9 class of 2015, who participated in an exchange with a school in Alsace. In August of that year, 14 learners traveled to France, spent two weeks in Alsace experiencing school life and exploring the region with their host families. The trip concluded with a visit to Paris, where they explored the city’s most iconic tourist attractions.
After a few years, the French school discontinued the exchange program. However, the trip had been such a success that we knew we had to continue! The format was adapted to make the project sustainable on an annual basis. Since 2022, learners have been attending intensive French classes at a language institute in France. They stay with French host families and explore the city with their DHPS teachers.
Currently, 26 DHPS grade 10 learners are in France and there’s no time to get bored!
After four hours of French lessons each day, the group heads out to discover Paris. Each outing includes a challenge, rally or quiz, with a mix of museums, monuments and unique Parisian neighborhoods.
Over the weekend, the group enjoyed a boat cruise on the Seine, climbed to the top of the Eiffel Tower, took part in a quiz at the Château de Versailles and hunted for “Invaders” (small mosaic artworks) in the Marais district in central Paris.
On Monday, they met up with their Swiss exchange partners for a selfie challenge from Notre-Dame to the Arc de Triomphe at the top of the Champs-Élysées. That evening, they watched the Eiffel Tower sparkle and later completed a quiz in Montmartre, the artistic heart of Paris.
After several more visits and activities, the grand finale will take place on Saturday – a magical day at Disneyland!
We hope the learners enjoyed every moment of this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
This journey is not only about being immersed in the French language, but also about broadening horizons, experiencing a different lifestyle and returning home with sparkles in their eyes!
It all began with the Grade 9 class of 2015, who participated in an exchange with a school in Alsace. In August of that year, 14 learners traveled to France, spent two weeks in Alsace experiencing school life and exploring the region with their host families. The trip concluded with a visit to Paris, where they explored the city’s most iconic tourist attractions.
After a few years, the French school discontinued the exchange program. However, the trip had been such a success that we knew we had to continue! The format was adapted to make the project sustainable on an annual basis. Since 2022, learners have been attending intensive French classes at a language institute in France. They stay with French host families and explore the city with their DHPS teachers.
Currently, 26 DHPS grade 10 learners are in France and there’s no time to get bored!
After four hours of French lessons each day, the group heads out to discover Paris. Each outing includes a challenge, rally or quiz, with a mix of museums, monuments and unique Parisian neighborhoods.
Over the weekend, the group enjoyed a boat cruise on the Seine, climbed to the top of the Eiffel Tower, took part in a quiz at the Château de Versailles and hunted for “Invaders” (small mosaic artworks) in the Marais district in central Paris.
On Monday, they met up with their Swiss exchange partners for a selfie challenge from Notre-Dame to the Arc de Triomphe at the top of the Champs-Élysées. That evening, they watched the Eiffel Tower sparkle and later completed a quiz in Montmartre, the artistic heart of Paris.
After several more visits and activities, the grand finale will take place on Saturday – a magical day at Disneyland!
We hope the learners enjoyed every moment of this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
This journey is not only about being immersed in the French language, but also about broadening horizons, experiencing a different lifestyle and returning home with sparkles in their eyes!
(Camille Detavernier, DHPS French teacher)
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