We Can Host Young English Speaking Gfkid In France

[marfil]

Hi,

Following my previous topic :

I'd like to propose hosting an English speaking gluten-free kid (about 12/13, preferably boy) here in France (Lyon) in June 2006 for 2 or 3 weeks.

I have 2 boys : 10 and 12. My eldest is gluten-free (and caseine free and other stuff free). Both have been learning English since they were about 7 and the speak pretty well. We all speak English in the familly.

The kid we receive could go to my youngest child school (which is a primary school, but even if he is in middle school, it's easier to organise and better because it's a small private montessori school and I know they are glad to receive English speaking pupils for a few weeks because all kids there learn English and they have a native English teacher, so it would be nicer than the middle school my eldest kid goes to probably).

July would be harder to organise since they are on holiday already but we are not, and they are at the mountains with my mother (but eventually end of June/beg of July would be possible, if that's more convenient).

We live in Lyon and usually during week ends we go to our holiday home in the Vercors (which is a very nice place in the mountains not far from here, in winter we ski and in summer we hike or swim).

Then in return "hospitality" I'd like my kids (both together if that is possible) to travel to the American/English kid's familly summer 07, also for a couple weeks.

We would garantee gluten-free meals and respect of diet.

If anyone is interested, please contact me (mail is martine@a2ms.com).

Kids could exchange mails and get to know each other before the travel.

bye

Martine

[Jnkmnky]

I don't have a kid I'd be willing to let travel w/out me just yet, but your propsition is interesting. I wonder if it would work better during the summer months *June-August* when school's actually out of session. Involving schools gets complicated if not working through some specific organization.

[jenvan]

what a great offer Martine!

[marfil]

I don't have a kid I'd be willing to let travel w/out me just yet, but your propsition is interesting.  I wonder if it would work better during the summer months *June-August* when school's actually out of session.  Involving schools gets complicated if not working through some specific organization.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No, not this school, which is why I thought it was good (it's a small private montessori school and I know the headmaster well).

The problem with July / August is that we either would not be on holiday (our kids are with my mother during this period, she does speak fluent English too though, but is a little old, so it might be a bit difficult for her to take care of a 3rd kid) of the 3 weeks we are on holiday we are abroad. But June is a nice time (or end of June with my be one week into July) because the hosted boy could go to school with my youngest, and I'm sure he'd like it because it's a very nice school and they do not work much at the end of the school year anyway, + he's have an opportunity to meet lots of French kids too. When I was a kid I had an opportunity to attend an American school a few weeks during my own holiday (school holidays are different from one country to the other) and I remember it as a very good experience.

[Kim]

Martine:

What a wonderful idea! I don't have any children myself, but it sounds like a great idea to do an "exchange." I hope that you find a family with a child the right age. Good luck.

I will be in Paris next summer with my niece - if you have any suggestions, I'd really appreciate it.

Happy Holidays.

Kim.

[tarnalberry]

I did something like this (but it was a homestay, not an exchange program) when I was 10. I stayed in Chanteny-St. Imbert for a month in the summer. It was a FABULOUS experience! We also hosted a number of students (older, and with varying levels of success) from a number of countries (Japan, Thailand, Spain, France). It can be a very rewarding thing to do.

[garlicmojo]

Hi Martine,

What a fabulous idea. My 2 boys will be 7 and 10 this summer, which unfortunately is younger than what you are looking for. I would still be willing to take your boys the summer of 2007 in the hopes that my boys could head out to France in '08 or even just for the chance to enjoy children from another country. We were in Blois 2 summers ago to stay with my Father in Law.

Both my boys are gluten-free and French is my first language. I am just starting to speak to them in French again as I have been remiss since my oldest was 4 or so. We live in Vermont, by the way, only 1.5 hours to Montreal where my parents live.

I would at least love to keep in touch and see if we could work something out in the future.

Michele

[marfil]

Hi Michele!

I saw your mail just now (I do not connect to the forum very often unfortunately)

I'd be willing to receive your 10 year old kid in June if you think he is mature enough to spent some times without his familly (it much depends on children, at this age, it would be ok I guess only if he's used to travel already, like in summer camps for eg, otherwise it would be a bit young). My younger kid is 10 also, so it would be great !! I understand your boys first language is English but you would be also interested in them learning French as you are of French canadian origin, correct? That sounds find too because mine are French but I want them to keep learning English so (Michel is 12 and Sacha is 10, only Michel is on a gluten-free diet)

If you think it's too young for him to travel this year, your proposition sounds fine to me too. If you could for eg host my boys say 2 or 3 weeks in summer 07, we could host your the same during summer 08 (we have a summer house in the French alps and we could all go there, I'm sure the boys would have fun together.

Please let me know to my private mail : martine@a2ms.com.

Bye

Martine

Hi Martine,

What a fabulous idea. My 2 boys will be 7 and 10 this summer, which unfortunately is younger than what you are looking for. I would still be willing to take your boys the summer of 2007 in the hopes that my boys could head out to France in '08 or even just for the chance to enjoy children from another country. We were in Blois 2 summers ago to stay with my Father in Law.

Both my boys are gluten-free and French is my first language. I am just starting to speak to them in French again as I have been remiss since my oldest was 4 or so. We live in Vermont, by the way, only 1.5 hours to Montreal where my parents live.

I would at least love to keep in touch and see if we could work something out in the future.

Michele

Martine:

What a wonderful idea! I don't have any children myself, but it sounds like a great idea to do an "exchange." I hope that you find a family with a child the right age. Good luck.

I will be in Paris next summer with my niece - if you have any suggestions, I'd really appreciate it.

Happy Holidays.

Kim.

You mean suggestions for gluten-free shopping ? I just posted a reply on this topic, where to find gluten-free shops in France (most health food store now sell gluten-free products, it's where I usually shop). You'll find my answer in the forum. I hope you have a wonderful stay in France! We are in Lyon, not Paris, but if you need any help you can email me at : martine@a2ms.com