Introducing Lasalle-GO—A Lasallian Exchange Program

 

Justin-Siena is now proud to offer yet another program within our Lasallian network—Lasalle-GO. This relationship was piloted this current year with some of our students visiting a Lasallian school in France last fall. Then this past February Justin-Siena reciprocated and played host to a group of teachers, students, and an administrator from the same school in Burgundy. By the end of the visit the two schools had agreed on a yearly academic exchange.

Making use of our international network, the possibilities seem endless. While the Lasalle Go program is starting with a French exchange, we look forward to partnering with other Lasallian schools in other countries as the program grows.

It has been Madame Bouldt’s dream to offer a serious study abroad program for students who study French at Justin-Siena. With this newly forged partnership, select French students at Justin-Siena will travel to France and study for two months at Lycée Jeanne d’Arc in Paray le Monial, and French students will come to Justin-Siena to study for a couple months in return.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our students,” says Madame Bouldt who looks forward to launching the first exchange in the spring of 2019.

Student participants in this pilot year highly recommend the experience to other French students, and our students say it best.

Participating in this exchange made an impact on Juan Mora ’19 and got the heart of a Lasallian education. “Traveling to a foreign country while being a student of their language is the most powerful thing you can do as a learner and as a person. I have become an avid French speaker thanks to the opportunities of both academic and cultural exchanges to France. Justin-Siena, through these exchanges, or correspondence, as the French call it, truly match and exceed the Quality Education core value for which De La Salle so passionately advocated.”

“This experience was not only an immersion of the French culture and language, but a lifetime experience that changed my perspective in viewing the struggles faced by our own international students. I am thankful for all the friendships and discoveries I made on this journey, and will cherish all the memories that came along the way,” shared Alegra Negrete ’19.

For Olivia Boles ’19 the exchange to Paray le Monial was a truly unparalleled experience. “Not only was it a chance to meet new people and improve your French speaking skills, but the immersive experience teaches you how and when to step out of your comfort zone and act independently so you can thrive in the new environment. It’s a challenge, you have to work to speak up, because sometimes it’s hard to keep up in the fast paced classes, but it is so rewarding when you suddenly realize that you are actually comprehending a foreign language with ease.”

Daniela Villasenor ’19 shared “It was the most fun experience I've had at Justin Siena, and the people that welcomed us were amazing! The trip was extremely motivating because it challenged us to process and speak French in the proper setting, which made it all the more worth it. This trip has left me with amazing memories and a plan to go back to France as soon as possible! Going to France I had no idea what to expect, but I am so glad I took the opportunity, the experience was unforgettable!”

Learn more about Lasalle-Go.