SISTER CITIES LEXINGTON AND DEAUVILLE: FIFTY YEARS OF FRIENDSHIP

What Is The Sister City Program? A national organization created by President Dwight Eisenhower in 1956… …To promote international relationships through educational, cultural, and business exchanges. Lexington Deauville + “TWIN” CITIES SINCE 1957

Live with a French student; learn about French family life, food, school, local shopping and entertainment, historical sites, and other interesting events, including occasional activities with the whole group. Then travel back to Kentucky with your new French friend to take your turn as host and introduce American family life and all the other fun things in our area! French and American students on tour in Normandy The Sister Cities High School Exchange Program

Deauville is approximately 100 miles from Paris. Students fly into Paris and are picked up at the airport for the trip to Deauville. There is a six-hour time difference between Lexington and Deauville. If it is 6am in Lexington, it is noon in Deauville. Where Is Deauville?

What Will I Do During The Exchange? #1 – IMPROVE YOUR FRENCH LANGUAGE SKILLS by practicing every day with your French family. (Your French “mother” will be especially helpful!) #2 – TOTALLY IMMERSE YOURSELF IN FRENCH CULTURE AND FAMILY LIFE by fully engaging in routine daily activities, asking questions, sharing funny stories, helping cook dinner, doing some sightseeing, and whatever else your French family offers. You may also get to attend a day or two of school in France, and you will probably visit Paris. Lead an everyday life – in a different country!

When Is the Exchange? Students typically leave Lexington about a week after the last day of school for Fayette County. The Americans and the French return to Lexington together for the second half of the exchange. Students visit the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial for World War II.

How Much Does This Exchange Cost? The application fee is $50 to cover the cost of processing. Expenses include air fare (purchased as a group to get the best price) and a passport (if you don’t already have one.) Your French family will pay for your room and board. You will pay for souvenirs and personal purchases. Your American family will provide room and board for your French partner. Your French partner will be responsible for souvenirs and personal purchases.

What Is the Process? 1. You send a completed application form to Kay Sargent, Executive Director, Sister Cities Lexington, by the specified deadline. 2. You ask two teachers to send in reference checklists (form provided by Sister Cities) to Kay Sargent by the specified deadline. 3. You and your parent(s) each participate in two interview meetings. 4. You receive notification about your acceptance. 5. You attend several orientation workshops 6. You fly to France and immerse yourself in your French family’s life! 7. You return home with your French partner and help them immerse themselves in your American family life!

Is this exchange a good fit for you this summer? Here are some questions to ask yourself.

IS THIS YOU? Are you independent enough to be away from your family for a couple of weeks without constant communication? Can you make a commitment to really getting to know your French family and participating in their daily family life? Do you seriously enjoy meeting new people? Can you and will you make conversation with people you have just met? Do you like sharing ideas and information? Do you have excellent face-to-face communication skills in addition to your ability to send text messages, tweet, and use Facebook? Are you generally good-natured and “go with the flow” even if things might not be familiar or your first choice? Can you be friends with people who don’t have all the same interests you do? Even if you won’t become “best friends”?

What’s right for YOU this summer? This exchange may be a wonderful idea for you and your family this summer. OR this exchange may not be appropriate for you and your family at this time. We are looking for people who are the “right fit” – responsible, generous, fun, team- oriented, dedicated, caring, sharing, flexible, and eager to be part of this exchange team.

Where Do I Find the Application? - Get an application from your French teacher, or -Visit the website at to print the application, or -Contact Kay Sargent, Executive Director, at Downtown Deauville DEADLINE TO SUBMIT APPLICATION IS November 18, 2011

Other Sister City Opportunities For The Future Internships University Exchanges Teaching Positions Become a member of Sister Cities Serve on a Sister Cities Committee Participate in other international programs

Become part of the tradition!