Au revoir but not goodbye!

Even though we had fitted so much into the week, Sunday came around quickly, all too quickly for most. All the NZ kids, the French kids, and their parents, wished it had been longer. They were just getting to know each other, they said.

Everyone turned out at the station to see us off. We felt honoured. When the train doors closed, our kids howled. The tears flowed, and continued to, long after the train pulled out.

Why was our stay so successful, I now ask myself as we glide through fields of yellow mustard on our way to Paris? Was it because our kids did themselves proud? Or because the host families were SO warm, kind and generous? Or the teachers SO welcoming, interested, patient and empathic, so willing to give their time to us all? Was it because we tried so hard to speak French, not always successfully? Or because of Eric’s fantastic organisation in matching kids with families, and coming up with such a great programme?

This was the first time most of the families had hosted an overseas student, the first time any of them had ever met a New Zealander. We had come from so far, right around the world, as one Mum said, to see them. They felt honoured that we’d done so.

Thank you, Collège Jean Guiton, Lycée St Exupéry, Lycée d’Oriole, Éric, Brigitte, the two Oliviers, Stéphanie, Yannick, all the host parents, the ‘correspondants’ and friends for everything you did. We take with us memories we will treasure always and leave behind new friends. A piece of our hearts will remain forever in La Rochelle. À la prochaine!!