School Trips and Exchanges

Fourth-grade students in the fall and 2nd graders in the spring embark on a three-day, two-night adventure at a nature camp in Wisconsin, just two hours from Chicago. Surrounded by nature, this immersive experience helps students build independence and responsibility through a variety of workshops, sports and social activities.

Each spring, our 5th-grade students travel to the Camp des Débrouillards in Quebec to further develop their language skills in a French-speaking country. There, they have the opportunity to learn about a new culture and explore nature through sports activities and scientific experiments. 

Each fall, 6th-grade students take an overnight trip to a nature area and participate in a variety of team-building activities. The goal of this day is to strengthen the sense of community among students and accompanying teachers, to welcome the students to middle school, to teach them about citizenship in the Lycée community and to have fun in an outdoor environment.

In winter, 7th graders have the opportunity to spend five days in Colorado enjoying nature, skiing, learning about mountain safety and strengthening bonds with fellow students.

The 8th graders spend three days in the U.S. capital. Guided by their teachers, they study important documents, institutions, and figures of the American Revolution. They visit museums and monuments, including the Holocaust Museum, the Vietnam War Memorial, Arlington Cemetery, the Air and Space Museum, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, the Capitol, the Supreme Court, and the White House, upon specific authorization.

Each fall, high school students take an overnight trip to a nature area and participate in a variety of team-building activities. The goal of this day is to strengthen the sense of community among students and accompanying teachers, to teach students about citizenship in the Lycée community and to have fun in an outdoor environment.

The LFC proposes numerous opportunities for high school students to discover other cultures and to engage in international dialogue. These selective programs are opportunities to create a more diverse high school environment and expand cross-cultural understanding, as well as to establish life-long friendships.

In 9th grade, students have the opportunity to go on a cultural trip with their foreign language classmates and teachers. Based on a student's foreign language class, trip destinations include China, France, Germany or Spain. In some cases, the LFC reciprocates by hosting students from the partner school in the other country.

In 10th grade, an LFC student can be paired with an exchange student from a partner French school or an international IB school. Both students attend one school for six weeks and spend the other six weeks at the other school. Students who have attended this program experience diversity and cross-cultural understanding in their own home and abroad, and expand their understanding of the culture and language of the hosted student and family abroad.

The LFC is part of an active network of more than 550 international French schools and more than 5,88 IB World Schools that organize diverse opportunities for groups of secondary school students to travel, gather and compete around the world. These exciting experience include sporting and academic competitions, as well as cultural events. Examples include:

• LFC Business Club
• Model UN
• MATh.en.JEANS
• Jeux internationaux de la jeunesse (JIJ)
• UNSS-AEFE sports league (French High Schools in North American)

Interested in becoming a global citizen?

Lycée Français de Chicago offers students the opportunity to study abroad and experience different cultures. Our school has partnerships with other Lycées and international schools in Europe (France, Spain, Germany) and will soon include schools in Asia (China).

What You'll Experience

In 10th grade, students can take part in a six-week exchange program. You will be paired with a student from another country and attend their school for six weeks while living with their family. In return, your exchange partner will come to Chicago, live with your family, and attend school with you for six weeks.

Key Benefits

By participating in this program, you will:

• Learn about another country's culture and customs.
• Serve as an ambassador for your country and community.
• Create lasting memories.
• Build new skills.

Selection process

To begin the application process, contact the Director of Inclusion and International Partnerships and share your motivation for joining the program.

Are you an international high school student looking for a global experience abroad?

The Lycée Français de Chicago hosting program is open to international high school students, currently attending school abroad (or out of state), who wish to attend LFC for a semester or a full academic year.  Accordingly, we welcome students joining in 10th, 11th or 12th grade, as part of the French Baccalauréat or the International Baccalaureate program. 

What You'll Experience

This is a great opportunity to expand your cross-cultural understanding and build lifelong friendships. You'll be immersed in a new language and a multicultural environment, which helps students reach their full potential and thrive.

Lodging

We ensure safe, school-supported accommodation for every student. You'll be matched with a host family or placed in alternative lodging through a formal agreement.

Selection Process

We consider a student's academic record, motivation, and maturity during the selection process. However, our program is inclusive and we take each candidate's overall profile into account. To learn more about the application process for our hosting programs, please contact the Director of Inclusion and International Partnerships.