French exchange students Julie Odille and Milla Bergandi arrived to Kansas City on Oct. 13, beginning their three week stay in the states with host students, seniors Claire Ivey and Josie Weck.

The time spent so far in America has been, according to Bergandi and Odille, fairly easy in regards to the anticipated language barrier. When asked how they were dealing with an almost constant use of a foreign language they both shrugged in unison and said, “It’s not that bad.”

Noting the biggest and most immediate differences they saw in America from France, Odille and Bergandi agreed that their is a large disparity in the way we greet one another in the states from the two kisses on the cheek they are used to in their homeland.

“It is not weird that you guys hug here instead of kiss,” Odille said. “It is just very different than what we are used to.”

Over the summer, Ivey and Weck spent three weeks in France in the homes of their French students, Bergandi and Odille. According to Weck, they were located only 30 minutes from Paris so access to the city and a plethora of foreign culture was easily accessible.

“Being able to visit sites in Paris with people who actually live there was really nice,” Ivey said. “We were able to learn things from them that we wouldn’t have known if we had been touring alone.”

Ivey and her French student, Bergandi, have already completed their mandatory “out of town” trip, to Lake of the Ozarks this past weekend. On the trip the two did extensive shopping and enjoyed the lake view.

“I really liked the lake of the Ozarks,” Bergandi said. “I spent a lot of money shopping there, but it was really cool. There was a really nice view from our apartment.”                

Ivey’s connection has been so strong with Bergandi that they have already began planning Ivey’s return to France next summer.

“We are a part of each other’s families now,” Ivey said. “I know we will be lifelong friends.”