As if Lakeville’s subfreezing temperatures weren’t enough, third-year French students embarked on a cultural immersion trip to the frigid -10˚C weather of Québec, Canada from January 15 to 19.
Organized by Mme. Sarinda Parsons-Wilson and Mme. Wendy Levithan, instructors in French, the trip allowed students to apply their studies in the classroom to real life. By conversing with locals and taking in the city’s culture, the students practiced language skills outside the typical classroom setting. “We’re putting all our work to work!” Mme. Wilson said. “We’re making all the progress we’ve made relevant and appreciating a flourishing French community just five hours away.”
The trip incorporated many activities for students to experience Québecoise culture. Through museum excursions, classes with French speakers at the school le Salésien, and a tour of the historic district, the students immersed themselves in the rich history and current life of the city.
As in past years, students stayed with host families. Unlike on previous trips, where students roomed in pairs, this year each student had their own host family.
Philip Lee ’26, who participated in the program, said, “Watching Suits in French with my buddy Zacharie, eating at Tim Hortons, and conversing at the dinner table with an extremely nice host family—I felt like I was at home.”
Every year, the trip targets third-year French students, as they have developed a foundational understanding of the language but have not yet reached fluency. “We plan this program for 350 and 380 French students, because these are the students that are on the cusp of feeling really good about the language,” said Mme. Wilson.
Over the duration of the five-day trip, students were required to speak only French with each other and their host families. “We’ve had many students participate and feel insecure with their basic linguistic skills, but they come back with an unbelievable sense of confidence,” said Mme. Wilson.
The trip has allowed students to practice French and better understand the traditions and culture of a unique part of the world for 23 years. “The Québec trip is always in the winter,” Mme. Levithan said. “We want our students to experience how the Québecoise enjoy the frigid weather, because it’s a part of their lifestyle. It’s in their architecture, fashion, and daily routines. We want them to see the pride the community takes in speaking their language, and how different Québecoise French is from standard French taught in the classroom.”
In recent months, the French department has organized a variety of opportunities for students to learn about French-speaking cultures and communities. In October, French actor André Nerman and Parisian singer Lucile Rolls visited campus and performed. In the summer of 2025, the inaugural Hotchkiss in France immersion trip will take students to the Auvergne region and the city of Marseille for an immersion experience.
“Learning a foreign language can come across as being a sterile academic discipline, but learning the traditions makes the language come alive,” Mme. Levithan said.
