Bristol-Bordeaux Exchange by Laura Currie, Year 13

This year I took part in the Bristol-Bordeaux exchange. My exchange partner, Pauline, came to stay with me for two weeks during the Easter holidays and I went back to stay with her at the end of July.

	Laura with her exchange partner Pauline at Colston's in April

While Pauline was staying with me, my family and I all got involved and we went on day trips to London, Bath and spent a weekend away in Bournemouth. The rest of the time we spent in Bristol, going round the shops and showing her the sights. We got on really well and her English was really good so she was able to meet my family and my friends. My family and I really enjoyed having her to stay and she was very respectful and courteous.

	On the Dune du Pyla at Arcachon near to Bordeaux

In July, I went to Bordeaux to reciprocate the exchange. Despite it being called the ‘Bristol-Bordeaux’ exchange I actually spent most of my time in Toulon which is on the south coast (the Côte d’Azur) as we were staying with her grandmother. She had a very large family and this was something new to me as my family is very small in comparison. It was very busy with people going in and out but they all did their best to make me feel welcome and to help me perfect my language.

	Enjoying the delights of the Mediterranean

As the time went on my French got better and better (as did my tan) and by the end I found I could understand whole conversations between the family members at dinner and join in which was quite an accomplishment for me.

	On a visit to St Tropez whilst staying in Toulon

I really enjoyed my time on the exchange and would definitely recommend it to anyone even if they weren’t planning to continue with languages in further education as the experience in itself is unforgettable.

Hopefully Pauline will come and stay with me again sometime near the end of this year. The exchange was amazing and as they would say in France ‘C’était chouette!’

More details of this year's exchange can be viewed in the article on the this year's exchange or are available from the Head of Modern Languages