Francia-magyar csereprogram

French-Hungarian exchange program

The first part of the French-Hungarian exchange program took place this year from October 9th to 16th, during which the French students came to Hungary. The foreign students were hosted by the 10th-grade students of the school, who also provided accommodation.

The French exchange students arrived at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, and we welcomed them with an introduction to our school. They then gave presentations about their own culture and country. Afterwards, they had the opportunity to try our school’s cafeteria.

We started the second day with an English lesson, followed by visits to the Hospital in the Rock and the Money Museum. The Hospital in the Rock left a particularly memorable impression on them due to the tragic historical events showcased. After visiting the Money Museum, we split into smaller groups, and everyone participated in their own activities. During our free time, we introduced Fashion Street, where the French students tasted the famous Hungarian chimney cake, which was a great success. To end the day, we went up on the Ferris wheel, from where we had a breathtaking view of Budapest.

On Friday, we began the day with a physical education class, during which the French students especially enjoyed dancing together to Just Dance. We then explored Buda, visiting the Buda Castle and other landmarks, where the Hungarian students shared interesting information. The day concluded with a visit to the House of Music, with its modern and interactive exhibition. The evening was crowned by a spectacular drone show that impressed everyone with its stunning display.

On Saturday, we visited the Pálvölgyi cave in two groups, exploring the impressive natural formations. After the cave tour, we participated in a team-building activity where Hungarian and French students taught each other games. During our free time, we played hide and seek and tag, which helped build harmony between the groups.

After the cave tour, we continued sightseeing in Pest, where we admired Heroes’ Square and Vajdahunyad Castle, among other sights. After sightseeing, we travelled to Szentendre, where one of our local classmates gave us a tour. The markets and the beautiful streets charmed everyone.

On Sunday, we had a family day, and most students chose to visit Esztergom, where we saw the magnificent Esztergom Basilica. We had lunch together at a restaurant in Dunabogdány, where the joint meal of Hungarian and French students, along with parents, strengthened relationships. After lunch, we visited Visegrád, where the famous bobsled track provided everyone with fantastic experiences, and we also visited the Visegrád Castle.

On Monday, we had a joint music lesson where we learned both English and Hungarian songs. We sang the English song together, and the French students could take a copy of the Hungarian folk song home as a souvenir. Our visit to St. Stephen’s Basilica left everyone in awe, and we continued our journey to the Parliament, where we had a guided tour in English. We spent our free time enjoying the beautiful view from the MOL Tower and visiting the Cinema Mystica to see a digital light show.

On Tuesday, we started the day with a double English class, where we presented the coats of arms we had previously created in teams. Afterwards, we participated in a treasure hunt on Margaret Island, searching for famous buildings. In the afternoon, we bought souvenirs and then ended the program with a boat trip, during which we admired the beautifully illuminated view of the Danube riverside.

In our opinion, the French-Hungarian student exchange program is extremely valuable both for language learning and cultural development. It offers a great opportunity for Hungarian students learning French to practice and improve their language skills, as communicating with native speakers provides an invaluable experience. Additionally, practising English also played a central role, as it was the common language used during joint programs and interactions with the French students. The program not only enhances language competence but also promotes understanding of other countries’ cultures. Both French and Hungarian students introduced each other to their traditions and values, providing a broader perspective on the diversity of the world. Moreover, the time spent together, along with shared programs and experiences, fosters friendships that can last for years and remain connections in later life. Thus, the program greatly supports not only linguistic and cultural development but also the building of human relationships, offering participants a lifelong experience. We wish to thank our teachers, Belley Kinga and Hajdú Indira for organising this exchange programme!

Koroknyai Liza 10.a and Pocsai Nóra 10.a