3438638631?profile=originalIf March is the month of Francophonie, for most French Heritage students here in the United-States Francophonie is a year-round event. This spring has seen in this respect many successful projects and activities, in which students from various schools in New York had the opportunity to advocate for their common language and the many cultures they are from. And there is more to come!

 

Theater contest

On March 9th, students from the International Community High School, Bronx, had the chance to take part in the now famous theater contest organized every year at the Lycée Français de New York. With a reputation for being a respected, tough competition, this event gathered hundreds of participants from various schools in the United States and France, including Houston Awty International School, United Nations International School, and the prestigious Lycée Lamartine from Paris. 

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The level of the 14 groups competing set the bar very high (nearly all groups attended regular drama clubs and had been rehearsing for months), but that did not impress our students who gave their best and were able to reap one of the much coveted 6 prizes awarded that night, the “coup de coeur du jury”, labeled for that occasion “women’s choice”.  Written by the students and their teachers, the play was set in an imaginary African country and focused on the education of young girls faced with the hurdles of traditions. This intense play was a vibrant call to empower all women and further education for all, quite a fitting theme after March 8th Women’s Day. Congratulations to them and their teacher Mohamed!

Aside from the challenge it represented for our students, the show was a great moment for them to meet and exchange with other francophone youths from different horizons.

 

Higher education opportunities

On March 28th, concluding the month of Francophonie and taking French as the possibility to open new doors for studies abroad, more than 60 French Heritage students from 5 high schools of the Internationals Network for Public Schools joined for a presentation on higher education opportunities in France and Quebec, at the initiative of CAMPUS France and the Delegation Générale du Québec in New York. This event engaged many students in discussing their career wishes while discovering many aspects of France and Quebec. A “grand goûter” topped the day off by inviting students to meet with other French Heritage peers from the Internationals network as well as many supporters of the program. Thank you again to our Quebec friends for welcoming us that day.

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French Heritage students from New York and Florida are now taking part in the “Allons en France” 2012 edition, which will allow one winner to travel to France this summer along with French students from 120 countries. This year’s theme is human rights in the 21st century, and an essay-writing contest has been organized to designate the lucky student.

 

As we move towards the summer, more events are on the way, including a free French break dance session in June and two summer camps in Florida and Quebec, during the Forum Mondial de la Langue Francaise.

 

To be continued!

Benoît Le Dévédec, FHLP coordinator

Learn more about the French Heritage Language Program at www.facecouncil.org/fhlp

Photo credits: Marie-Odile Couture / Agathe Monnot

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