Northampton Community College students, faculty, staff, and members of the local community are once again urged to open their homes and hearts to French students from the Lycée Jean Lurçat in Paris, France from Tuesday, April 15 through Tuesday, April 22. NCC has been forging friendships with French students for over fifteen years by participating in an exchange program with the Paris school. Each year the schools alternate who will host, and this year it is NCC’s turn!
“Are the French people coming again?” is something that Melissa Starace, director of alumni affairs, hears often from her two sons, age six and ten. Melissa has participated in the exchange program by hosting students several times and by chaperoning NCC students who have gone to Paris.
“By bringing the students into my home, not only I but my family had the opportunity to experience a new culture,” she said. “It was a neat experience, especially for my sons. They were able to learn some French words. They really enjoyed it.”
Getting prepared for the students was a breeze. Melissa cleared out a few drawers to make room, but found that they basically lived out of their suitcases and were polite and friendly guests.
Melissa’s advice for anyone thinking of hosting?
“If you can accommodate two students, do it,” she suggests. “They feel more comfortable and you don’t feel as if you always have to entertain them. If one is stronger at speaking English than the other, they can help each other. I hosted two students each time and it’s been wonderful.”
His brother’s week-long stay here as part of the exchange program three years ago inspired Manuel DeSousa Rodrigues (pictured left) to attend NCC for two semesters, beginning this spring. He is currently living in the dorms.
“I finished my studies at Lycée Jean Lurçat and needed to improve my English. I’m planning to work in international trade and marketing and it is very important,” Manuel said. “My brother enjoyed his time at NCC and encouraged me to come here.”
Manuel was born in Portugal and moved to France at the age of eight. He speaks Portuguese, English, Spanish, and French. Manuel is a bright and hard-working student who is “very interested in learning about other cultures and meeting new people.”
Leaving France to study in America might be expensive, but Manuel considers it money well spent.
“My friends at home are spending their money on things like cars, but I think it is better making an investment in my future,” he said.
If you are considering hosting a student, Manuel highly recommends it. In fact, he wouldn’t mind getting out of the dorms himself this summer and being able to have the experience of living with an American family.
“French people are very interesting and interested in the world around them,” he says. “They like to know things, like to travel, and they are open to the world.”
Would you like to be a part of NCC’s French connection? If you are willing to be a host please contact Manny Gonzalez at 610-861-5429 or mgonzalez@northampton.edu or Diane Moncman at 610-861-4157 or dmoncman@northampton.edu.
