Montpellier 2006
On 12th February 2006, a group of Solihull School pupils ranging from the Lower Sixth to the Fourth Form waited impatiently to meet their host families at Montpellier Airport. The journey had been long and hard, especially for those whose bags were too heavy (no names mentioned, Laura Cuncliffe)! Some waited into the night, whilst others were greeted almost immediately by an awkward kiss from a stranger, before being whisked off to their host family’s home. Upon arriving at their host families, some students were greeted with a lovingly prepared traditional French meal (despite it being 11.30 French time), others by hotdogs and chips. Nevertheless, all seemed happy the next day, and felt welcomed by their host families.
During the week, we spent our mornings at the International Eurolingua School in the centre of Montpellier, which we found most interesting and useful. In the afternoons we visited various sites in the region, such as the historic Roman town of Nimes, and also enjoyed a guided tour of Montpellier’s very own Arc de Triomphe.After sampling a variety of the town’s restaurants for lunch, we had free time to wander around the town, some buying even more clothes to weigh their suitcases down further (Laura Cuncliffe).
We spent happy evenings with our host families, enjoying their traditional French cooking and their company. The language barrier did prove difficult for some, but the friendly nature of the people who took us in helped to break down international barriers; all seemed to get on well with their families. When we left, many of us left behind newfound friends and future contacts, and we all left with a whole host of new experiences and ideas. And yes, Laura did get her bag through customs on the return journey!
Nicholas Lunn