On October 2nd, thirty-five students from France arrived at Paint Branch High School to meet their American host families. Paint Branch students and teachers awaited their arrival with posters and gifts, eager to start the exchange program for the following two weeks.

The exchange program began over twenty years ago and was led by former Paint Branch teacher Mrs. Claire Schwartz-Menyuk, who began the program while she was teaching at Northwest High School. Mrs. Schwartz-Menyuk had a cousin from France who taught at a high school in Besançon, which is located in the eastern part of France, about an hour from the Switzerland border. The high school, Lycée Ledoux, agreed to the exchange and when Mrs. Schwartz-Menyuk came to Paint Branch, she brought the program with her. After she left PB for Blake High School, Ms. Maione inherited the program and continued the exchange.

According to Ms. Maione, there is no other exchange like it in the county “because Paint Branch is the best!”

The students visited many places in Maryland over the two weeks they were in the U.S. Locally, they visited Washington D.C., Baltimore, and Annapolis, and some even visited New York City. One of the French students, Arthur Schmidt, said that he enjoyed his visit to Baltimore because he “liked the scenery and the shopping.”

The program, however, is not over, as 15-20 Paint Branch students will travel to France on April 1st and stay with the French host families of the same students who they hosted through April 15th.

During the trip to France, students will begin their experience by visiting Paris for three days. They will continue their sightseeing by taking part in walking tours of downtown Besancon, trips to museums, and a visit to a cheese factory and a chocolate artisan. They will also take a day trip to Strasbourg, Chateau de Joux and, possibly, Switzerland.

Not everyone who hosted a French exchange student during October is going to France in April, but those who are going on the trip are extremely excited. Senior Anwar Glasgow, who hosted Antoine Curty, states that he is “looking forward to experiencing the French culture!”