By David Karas | Correspondent

A cohort of 16 students from Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville, along with two parents and two chaperones, kicked off their summer touring some of the most famous and treasured sites in France.

But far from a tourist junket, the immersion experience was designed to expose students studying French to the country’s language and culture, with opportunities to explore its history, architecture and landscapes.

The most meaningful component of the experience was to see students use what they had learned in class in real life situations,” said Abiola Backus, a French teacher who organized the trip. “Students were able to do some shopping in open air markets, they ordered their food, their drinks, they asked directions, (and) they had conversations with people in the places we visited.”

The crew even successfully located “le petit bistrot” in Aix en Provence, the setting of the textbook the students use in French 1 and 2 courses.

The June 19-28 journey kicked off  in Paris, during which the group visited the Louvre, took a river cruise and took walking tours through Quartier Latin, the Eiffel Tower, Cathedral of Notre Dame and a tour of the Versailles Castle.

The Lawrenceville delegation went to three castles – Azay le Rideau, Chennonceau and Chambord – in the Loire Valley, then continued their journey through Montpellier, Avignon, Arles, and Aix en Provence. There were stops to various arenas, an amphitheater and the aqueduct and bridge constructed by the ancient Romans. Their trip ended with a cruise along the Mediterranean and an evening on the beach in Nice.

“It is priceless to travel and discover other ways of life,” Backus reflected. “It opens up your mind, it teaches humility and adaptability and most of all it helps develop a true understanding of cultural differences.”

Maximilien Bielsa, who graduated from Notre Dame in June, found the trip to be “wonderful.” The member of St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Hightstown, who is pursuing studies in Rowan University, Glassboro, was inspired to participate in the trip because of the various benefits that such experiences can provide.

“I felt it would give me a memorable experience I could take with me the rest of my life,” he said, adding that he had a personal connection to the journey as well. “My father is also French so it gave me a good excuse to see the country, where he was born.”

Bielsa, who is minoring in economics, said that some of the experiences they had in France connect to one of the career paths he is exploring. Beyond academics, he also said he “made a big faith connection in Chartres, one of my favorite places we visited, where we actually saw the veil that belonged to Mary.” “It was quite a unique and beautiful place (and) experience.”

Stephanie Ibe, a senior in Notre Dame and president of the French Club, was part of the group that worked to plan the trip.

“I have always been very interested in French Culture and, in general, travelling the world,” said Ibe, a member of St. Augustine of Canterbury Parish, Kendall Park. “So a trip to France was always at the top of my bucket list.”

She said that her French studies during her years in high school contributed to her interest in visiting France, and noted that the various topics covered in the classroom came to life during their travels.

From making friends within their group and with students in groups hailing from Colorado and Missouri, to sampling French cuisine and visiting various attractions, she said, “it is safe to say that the Notre Dame's French trip was more than successful and definitely unforgettable experience.”