LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. — From Jan. 31 to Feb. 11, French exchange students from Notre Dame De Bon Secours visited Los Alamitos High School in California. Students explored local attractions and spent time with LAHS host families while experiencing American culture before returning to France.

Students arrived at LAX airport at Jan. 31 and met their host families at LAHS. The French students spent the next two days with their host families and experienced the local area before visiting Universal Studios on Feb. 3.

On Feb. 4, students explored historic areas of downtown Los Angeles. After visiting the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, the visitors walked through Little Tokyo to the Union Square train station. Students walked to the Arts District and the Disney Concert Hall before lunch. After eating, the group visited the Broad Museum and Angel’s Flight near the Grand Central Market.

Then, on Feb. 6, French students shadowed their hosts at school.

For day seven, the exchange students visited Hollywood, Griffith Observatory and University of California, Los Angeles while day eight was spent exploring Venice Beach and Santa Monica.

“(I want to) visit Santa Monica,” French junior Chole Duter said. “The landscape is very beautiful.”

The French visitors spent days nine and ten with their host families and left for France in Feb. 10 and arrived home on Feb. 11.

Between educational field trips and time with their American host families, French students experienced as much California culture as possible. Many were surprised by the cultural differences between the U.S. and France.

“I (went) to New York City one time, and that (was) amazing,” Duter said. “People (in the U.S.) are so kind.”

However, some host students were surprised by the lack of cultural differences between them and their guests.

“I’m surprised how similar we are,” LAHS sophomore Hossegor Harman said. “I was expecting the culture to be a little more different, but we eat the same food (and) he’s really good at English.”

While some visitors were here for their first time, French teacher Helene Tartiere has chaperoned this trip five times before. Each time, the group visits new places and experiences new things.

“I try to discover something new each time,” Tartiere said. “(I) discover what I don’t know. (I) discover new things, people, food, culture (and) a bit of everything.”