FRENDIA- a cultural exchange program, or rather, an opportunity to get to know another country and find out more about our own in the process.

Phase-1.29 French students from Saint Augustin, Angers, France, accompanied by two of their teachers had visited DPS Bangalore north earlier during December 2016.

Phase-2. The 29 corresponding students and 2 teachers from DPS North visited France from 24th April to the 10th of May, 2017.

On the 24th, after landing at the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport around mid-evening, the Indians were taken for a bus ride around the city.

The next day was exciting, as the students of DPS got to visit the Eiffel tower. It was one of the most beautiful monuments the students had seen, and the view from the tower was breathtaking. They then visited the famous cathedral of Notre Dame, and the louvre Museum.

On the 26th, one of the dreams, that of every child has, was fulfilled by visiting Disneyland. It was as fun-filled as it has always been described if not more, and the students as well as the teachers had the time of their lives. The Indians then left for Angers. They were greeted heartily by their corresponding French partners and their families later that night.

The 27th was the Indians’ first day at Angers, and they visited the most famous attractions of the town. After a picnic, the students of DPS went on a treasure hunt around the town, helped by the French students. It was an amazing way to find out and enjoy the beauty of the town.

On the 28th, the students of DPS attended a fencing workshop, and gave presentations about Karnataka to a few classes of the St Augustin School.

The 2nd of May was a day packed with fun and excitement, as the Indian students got to visit one of the biggest amusement parks in France- ‘Futuroscope’. The rides were amazing, and it made you feel like you were in the future.

The schedule for the 3rd was relatively relaxed. The Indians conducted various workshops for the younger kids of St Augustin, to teach them about our vast country and cultures.

On the 4th, the students of DPS got to witness a horse show called the ‘Black Frame’. It was beautiful. They also got to see the horses at their stables. They then visited the Troglodyte sites. They were beautiful caves of mushrooms.

The 5th was a fun-filled day, as the Indians got to learn to cook a French baked dish, and later, visited the slate museum and learnt about the ancient ways of slate making. They also learnt to play a traditional French game.

On the 9th, the Indians were taken to the ‘Accrobranches’, an adventure park. They had a lot of fun. Then it was time for the farewell. Both the Indians and the French dressed up In Indian ethnic wear, and witnessed and performed many programmes. They had lunch at the auditorium, and danced through a good part of the night.

At around 1am of the 10th, the Indians had to depart. It was very hard to say goodbye to their partners as well as their families, as there was always a chance they would not meet again. The Indians left for Paris international airport with heavy hearts but with a whole lot of new and beautiful memories, knowing that that they had two new families- their French partner’s, and the frendia 2016-17 family of DPS Bangalore north.

By GAYATRI PRABHAKARAN & HANEEN FARID

VIII GRADE