From Lyon to London: Year 9's French Exchange

School language exchanges are often described in terms of enrichment and cultural exposure, but their true value lies in something more subtle: the opportunity for students to live, think and communicate beyond the familiarity of their usual surroundings. At Queen’s College, London, we see these experiences not as isolated trips, but as an extension of the classroom, where independence and linguistic confidence are developed in authentic contexts.

Zoe was one of our Year 9 French students who visited Lyon and then hosted a French student in London. Here is her account of the best moments, and what she'll take away from it.

School exchanges are often presented as cultural experiences, though in practice they tend to be more ordinary — in the best possible way. Our week in Lyon was less about formal visits and more about settling into a different culture, language and daily routine

Staying with host families meant there was very little distance between “being on exchange” and our normal day to day . It was simply life, just in another language and at a slightly different pace. At first, that meant paying close attention to everything — conversations, routines, and the small details that make a household feel familiar or unfamiliar. Before long, though, it stopped feeling like something to adjust to and just became how the week was.

The organised visits added structure to our daily activities. The silk museum was especially interesting because it made Lyon’s history feel present rather than archived, showing how closely the city is still tied to its textile past. In Vieux Lyon, that history didn’t need explaining — it was built into the streets themselves, in the architecture, atmosphere and pace of the area.

What stood out most, though, were the friendships that formed. We became close quickly to the girls we stayed with, and by the end of the week it no longer felt like we were “visiting” at all — just spending time with people we already knew well.

When the Lyon students came to London, the perspective shifted again. Showing them around places like Camden Market and Big Ben made familiar areas feel slightly less automatic, as if we were seeing them with a bit of fresh attention too.

Overall, it was a genuinely memorable experience. Not because of any single moment, but because of how quickly the unfamiliar became routine and how quickly routine started to feel familiar showing just how quickly one can immerse oneself in another culture. We’re very grateful to Mme Marie, Mme Rinjonneau and Ms Murugan for making the exchange possible. As it is thanks to them that we were able to embark on this trip, one I’m sure none of us will forget, and to form friendships that I’m confident will extend far beyond this exchange.

Zoe, Year 9 French student