When people think of spring break, they normally think of Myrtle Beach, Cancun and Hilton Head Island, not France.  For 16 students, France is what comes to mind.

On April 4, 16 Hoban students boarded a plane at Cleveland Hopkins Airport bound for France.  Many students are staying with host students and many of those with the same families they hosted back in September in the states.  They will be staying with them for ten days and will go to Paris for three additional days.

“I’ve always wanted to go to France,” junior Julie Kohut said. “Staying with someone I already know is a great way to see the country.”

World cultures teacher Greg Milo and French teacher Jodi Hall will accompany the students on the trip and have taken care of many of the details for the trip.  Both have traveled abroad in the past and have experience with international travel.

While staying with the host families, students will be going to school and experiencing French culture.  They will also take field trips to Strasbourg, France; Alsac, France; Basel, Switzerland; and Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany.  Students will also get the chance to experience Easter in a different country.

“I am very excited to experience French culture,” junior Krista Mobley said.  “I can’t wait to celebrate Easter.”

Today is the fifth day the students have been in France and they are attending school.  They are experiencing characteristics about French schools they have spent time learning about in class.  Later tonight, in fact, the students will participate in a rematch of the volleyball game played at Hoban. 

The second part of the trip, and to many the most exciting part, will take place in Paris.  On April 15, students will take a train across the French country side.  They will see the Eiffel Tower and take a boat ride down the Seine River.  They will also visit the Louvre, Notre-Dame, the Quartier Latin, Versailles and the Musee D’Orsay.

“I’m really excited to see the Eiffel Tower,” Mobley said.  “I plan to eat a French baguette in front of the Eiffel Tower.”