Regis Jesuit offers many unique opportunities of learning and encounter throughout the four years. Some experiences more newly introduced and others having been around for years. Many of which, students join to fill out their college applications without truly being passionate about such subjects. Yet, exciting opportunities are around every corner, including a very unique summer exchange program. In which student are able to host French exchange students for a month, with no prerequisites required.
RJ students: Alexandra Miller ‘25, Izzie Spreister ‘25, and Maddie Spriester ‘25. shared their thoughts on this unforgettable experience that brought friendships internationally as well as within the Regis Jesuit community.
“You get to hang out with all the hosts families along with your student all summer, so I actually ended up meeting one of my best friends from this experience” expressed Alexandra Miller. The three girls shared their favorite memories such as movies on the rocks, Fourth of July festivities, and hosting with their next-door neighbors. Time and time again the phrase “it was so fun” was repeated by the students. Recalling back to when the summers were packed with daily activities and new introductions to French culture.
In cases of this group, their students cooked traditional French dishes for their host families and some even brought food from back home. Along with this, the French language was attempted to be spoken the whole summer. The exchange students practiced their english while the Regis Jesuit students practiced their French outside of Duolingo.
Mary Mitchell the director of the program raves about how incredible this opportunity is for Regis Jesuit students to consider, “It’s so nice meeting someone new especially from a new country because if your traveling or doing study abroad one year, the best thing to see when you go somewhere new is wide open arms waiting for you” she continue, “almost all the students who host a French exchange students go back over to visit them and stay in contact with the students for life.” Which Alexandra, Maddie, and Izzie agree with as they all stay in contact with their students who are now considered family to each one of them.
