From the beloved Eiffel Tower in the city of love to glorious cathedrals and beautiful pebble beaches of Nice, France is a vacation destination that never fails to impress. However, France not only offers these breathtaking sites but also immerses tourists in thick culture full of new experiences.

Senior Brenna Warolin has fallen head over heels for the city of love and its surrounding provinces. After hosting an exchange student for a few weeks during the summer before senior year, Brenna decided to go on her own adventure to France but not through an exchange program.

Warolin said, “Going the exchange student route is more costly. You have to take language comprehension tests and there are other certain restrictions. The program is very structures, and you know exactly what to expect as you are completely prepared. However, going there and living with a family not through a program you’re kind of free to explore more of the culture but it is a very independent situation. You have to take it day by day and become really open with the family and their customs.”

The family Warolin stayed with owned four houses in different regions of France: Paris, Rennes, Val Andre and on the Island Ile De Re. Over the two month period she stayed in France she was not only immersed in culture but also created substantial relationship with her new family members.

Warolin said, “I think the friendships that I’ve formed have been the best part. I couldn’t imagine not knowing the girls I stayed with, and their families are wonderful. It’s kind of crazy how well you can click with a person and their family even though you don’t speak and understand each others languages fully.”

While in France, Warolin had the opportunity to visit many famous sites and monuments such as the Eiffel Tower and the royal gardens at the Chateau De Versaille. She also took the chance to view famous pieces of art such as the Mona Lisa at Le Louvre and watch renaissance shows such as King Arthur and The Vikings.

Warolin said, “Although I was able to visit all these amazing monuments, I think my favorite part of the trip was staying at the seaside. We hiked up to this really cool spot at the top of a cliff and truly experience the beauty of France.”

Not only did the beauty of France’s landscape and various monuments live up to their expectation, but so did the food.

Warolin said, “The rumors are true. The food in France is delicious. Everything I ate there was so good. The strangest thing I ate was “foie gras” which is the liver of a duck which was interesting. What I took away from France was probably what I had for breakfast every morning which was tea, apricots and delicious fresh bread.”

After returning from France, Warolin and her family decided to return the favor and once again introduce an exchange student to American culture, but this time for a year long period.

Warolin said, “The first time we decided to host a student because I received a packet of information in class and thought it would be a super fun experience, which is definitely was. Since my experience over the summer with my exchange student was so worthwhile, we decided to host a student for a longer period of time.”

For many French students, America is a dream destination. After signing up online with a student exchange program, Warolin’s family was able to make this dream come true for this current exchange student, Agatte.

“Many French students want to travel to America because it’s a successful country where people have wealthy lifestyles. Media, movies and various TV series have helped promote this American lifestyle to the point where French students want the full American experience,” said senior Elise Laudet who moved to America from France two years ago.

Warolin’s ability to connect and develop relationships with her exchange students and the French culture has come from the 5 years which she has studied french.

Warolin said, “Taking French definitely has helped me especially in the beginning when there’s a language barrier. I’ve learned a lot of French from my exchange student. My parents are hosting a girl next year from Germany so that will be a different experience since we’ve only had girls from France.”

Warolin’s experiences between hosting French exchange students and being an exchange student in France, have not only opened her eyes to a new culture and enhanced her language skills, but also allowed her the opportunity to build relationship and memories that will last a lifetime. As Warolin looks forward, it is clear that further traveling is on the horizon.

Warolin said, “I definitely will continue to travel. That’s not a question. There’s so much I haven’t seen.  I want to go to college to be a pilot so I hopefully will travel the rest of my life.”