Throughout the summer holidays six OGHS students spent six incredible weeks in Oyonnax, France (roughly an hours drive from Lyon). We all stayed with our host families in and around Oyonnax and also attended school there with our host brothers / sisters. 

The school was very different to NZ. Most classes started at 8am and finished as late as 6pm, with some classes as long as three hours. It was strange at times as we had certain times in the day where you could do as you please. It was like an American movie as we received a food tray in the canteen at lunch time before selecting the meal of your choice.

After we arrived we spent four days at school getting to know other French students and settling in before two weeks of holidays over the Christmas period and then spending another three weeks at school. We all spent the Christmas holidays differently, either travelling across France or with lots of extended family. Christmas was also very different to NZ, as firstly on Christmas Eve about midnight we opened all our presents. We also had a large feast (including SNAILS) on both Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day!

During the holidays we were all lucky enough to be taken to different parts of France. A couple of us visited Paris, including Disneyland. Anna and Eliza were even fortunate enough to go skiing. Individuals also visited Annecy, Clermont-Ferrand, Avignon, Lagrasse, Lyon and ITALY! Many sites we visited were very ancient but still beautiful. We all found every city had its unique qualities and character which we admired.

Surprisingly, the first couple of weeks was never below 5 degrees which we found was bearable. However, in the last 10 days it SNOWED and was a shocking -15 degrees. It doesn't nearly compare to Dunedin snow because there was much more and we still had to go to school! It was great as every time we went outside there was snowball waiting to be thrown.

We met so many amazing people and made life long friends and family that we will always cherish. They were so welcoming and helped us improve our French immensely. It was a trip of a lifetime and we would recommend that everyone should take this opportunity when given. Special thanks to Mrs Holmes for making this trip possible for us!

Eliza Booth and Anna McDonald