International Exchange USA
Indianapolis diaries
by the 2nde students
The International School of Indianapolis-Lycée de Sèvres Exchange was started in 2005 by Mark Shullenberger, a former SIS teacher, and coordinated this year by Xana Jones and George Salmon.
5th-15th April 2006
Ten 2nde students went to Indianapolis in April and these are excerpts from their group diary, proof that Indy is quite undeserving of its nickname “India-no-place”!
- My first impression of the school was that is was just a classic American high school with the hallways lined with green lockers and drinking fountains. It has really nice facilities like a basketball court The classes were really different than in France because of the laidback atmosphere. Rachel LIPPOLDT
- When the bus arrived it was the first time I had seen one of those famous school buses. In the State Museum I was impressed by its difference to French museums: it was more modern and interactive. In the evening we had a party at Bridget’s house. It was good but different from French parties; people were playing ping-pong, football and basketball. Florian FONTAINE PAPION
- Today we went to Chicago! As we strolled down those long streets with skyscrapers along each side, I felt so small! I felt like I was in the movies! We went shopping - and ate dinner at Johnny Rockets, a typical 50s diner. All I can say is that Saturday was the greatest day ever and our trip to the US couldn’t get better! Gabriela CASTRO and Inès LAVAUD
- Today, in Kentucky, we went to a baseball game and in the afternoon we stopped at Louisville to visit the town and a ‘slugger factory’ where baseball bats are made. In the evening we ate at Arby’s - the only place in America to serve curly fries. We had a busy day but it was wonderful. -I enjoyed everything I did. Paul RIVALLIN
- We visited the Conseco Fieldhouse today. It was amazing to visit the whole building even the changing rooms! We went on the basketball court - it was huge! We went to the Circle Centre for an hour but it wasn’t enough though! We need more time for shopping!! Caroline PELISSIER
- The Motor SpeedwayToday. Today we visited one of the most famous places in Indiana or even in America: The Motor SpeedwayToday. It was very interesting to observe the evolution of technology through the ages. We then went to the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indian and Western Art which showed different Indian Arts such as quilts and artefacts. Thomas SOCHAS
- The Modern Art Museum is quite a modern building. There are three floors of American; European and Contemporary art. We went outside to enjoy the sun and some of us went in the fountain before a guard came and chased us away! Only 2 days left - I don’t want to leave! Alice TCHANG
- 6:30: Beep, beep... holidays and yet we wake up earlier than on actual school days. Louis (our family’s dog) has just jumped on Laurence and he’s starting to bark...
- 12:30: Lunch break. Saw Hotel Rwanda in French class, then had double Maths. We were supposed to go to History but the Maths teacher was too entertaining!
- 19:00: ‘La Margarita’, Mexican restaurant. At the moment, half of the room is taken up by almost the whole ISI 10th grade and their partners. There are chairs everywhere, half-full bowls of guacamole, fajitas and chilli con carne. We are speaking English, French and Spanish all mixed up. A fun evening. Géraldine SATRE-BUISSON
- Last day at school. Everyone’s making an effort not to think about tomorrow. Double French with Mr Shu completely into his “commentaire composé”. A party at Danielle’s was planned before the basket ball game, so the evening began with a ‘Twister’ tournament.
Suddenly we heard a loud alarm over the city. “Oh, it’s just a tornado warning, everyone in the basement,” said the Americans, as if it was completely normal.
After a while we went back up but then the hail started, some were as big as a fist! “OK, everybody back down again.” April is tornado season, so they have this kind of thing all the time.
Finally we went to the game: the Indiana Pacers vs the Minnesota Timber Wolves. There, you realise how important basketball is in America -especially here in Indiana. It’s like soccer in France.
The evening was really great, everyone was mixing as we had finally got to know each other well. In the end the Pacers won (thanks to us, of course!), the storm was almost over and we went home thinking about the 10 amazing days we had just spent. Laurence WARIN
Dernière modification le 15-12-11 par
