Nineteen adventurous students from Nashoba Regional High School, six sophomores, six juniors, and seven seniors, recently returned from an exciting 10-day exchange trip to Elbeuf, Normandy, accompanied by chaperones Mme Hermans, Mr. Miller, and Sra. Davis.
The group received a warm welcome upon arrival at Lycée André Maurois, where host families and students greeted them with balloons, signs, and a lot of enthusiasm. Each Nashoba student was paired with a French host family, many of which had visited Nashoba during the fall (read more about their trip here!). What followed was a week of full cultural immersion. Nashoba students attended the local high school, visited the surrounding area, and partook in the daily life of their host family.
The school and high school principal hosted a a café and croissant breakfast and a formal welcome reception at city hall was led by the mayor of Elbeuf. Later in the week, host families and teachers organized a festive potluck and open mic night, where students from both schools performed together. Highlights included guitar jam sessions, spirited vocals (including a rendition of Nirvana), and a standout performance by Nashoba’s a cappella group.
Students and teachers from NRHS joined their French hosts on a memorable field trip exploring centuries of history. Highlights included visits to the Bayeux Tapestry, the D-Day landings, and the American Soldiers Cemetery, offering powerful insights into both local and shared heritage.
A major highlight of the trip was a collaborative concert that traced the story of the D-Day landings and celebrated the ongoing fight for human rights and the Freedom Prize. Students from both schools rehearsed together, and the performance was truly moving. Eric Miller, NRHS Music and Choral teacher, conducted "J'entends le moulin" and accompanied the grand finale, "People Help the People," on piano. Nashoba students took on speaking roles and sang alongside their French host siblings, making the performance a meaningful cultural exchange.
Throughout the trip, students stayed connected with their own families by acting as trip journalists and took turns sharing photos and writing daily summaries for a parent-student WhatsApp group!