The group departs on their transatlantic flight for Paris, France. Upon arrival on June 14, we are greeted by our Global Works leader at airport. Our coach bus awaits for the second leg of our travel day. We board the bus for the ride south to our homestay community of Carcassonne. Upon arrival, we spend one night in a centrally located hostel to rest and prepare to meet our host families.
Our homestay will be set in the beautiful medieval town of Carcassonne. Our gracious families await us excited to participate in this unique cross cultural experience. The students will have the opportunity to test their language skills, make friends, and absorb the surrounding French culture during the seven days and nights.
Our group meets each day to participate in community service and educational projects. Three days are spent at the excavation of Lastours, an 11th century village and castle, where we works with a local archeologist, Frederique. Global Workers will spend several days volunteering with elementary students, teaching English, and participating in other cultural exchange activities. Finally, our third project includes a photographic assignment to be published on the town's website. One day is a "family" day and the students will participate in traditional family activities. We'll also take excursions to the Mediterranean coast for a beach day, through the fortress Carcassonne, and to the Pyrenees mountains. In the evenings, we have time for cooking lessons, dance classes, or a pot-luck dinner with local families…all cultural events that will help hone our French language skills.
From Carcassonne, we travel to Provence and have several days to explore the many sites. On the way, we visit Le Pont du Gard, now a world heritage sight and one of France's most popular tourist destinations. During the two full days, we will take excursions around the region. Opportunities include: a visit to the beautiful farmer's market in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, a tour of the olive press and Les Baux de Provence medieval fortress in St. Remy, and a visit to the Cezanne museum in Aix-en-Provence. On our way back to Paris, we stop in Avignon to the world famous Papal Palace and Pont d'Avignon.
We depart from Provence, returning to Paris via train or bus. In Paris, the group will spend their days discovering exciting historical and cultural centers like the le Louvre, le Tour Eiffel, Musee de Picasso, Notre Dame, Montmartre, Sacre Coeur, and Quai d' Orsay. In addition we will have ample time to explore the timeless squares and cafes scattered throughout the city. For our final evening in France we enjoy a celebratory dinner and activities that will allow us to reflect on our experiences of the last two weeks. On the last day, we fly home to the United States. Our friends and family greet us when we arrive to share our new experiences. It is the end of a trip, but a beginning to a new awareness about yourself and new cultures. Please note that some of the locations, projects, and/or activities may change, but will be similar to those listed. A final itinerary will be provided prior to the trip. * Dates may vary depending on flight availability