![\"FrenchExchangeBaseball\"](\"https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_5280_optimized_2000-1200x900.jpeg\")
The Student Perspective<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhile the students from Caen, France we exchanged with have already left our campus \u2013 they were here from April 10-20 \u2013 they had an amazing time in Tennessee, having traveled over 4,000 miles from Caen to visit our Hardin Valley campus and connect with our culture. Along with living with the families of our faculty, the students played bowling, went to Top Golf, played baseball with our school team, and connected with the students who will be heading out to France this coming week. According to Student Success Coordinator, Selena Kimber, \u201cthey had an amazing time and did not want to leave,\u201d further stating the students had expressed that the opportunity was a \u201cgreat cultural experience.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although these students were here primarily to experience American culture and visit our campus, many of our own students had the unique opportunity to meet them and hang out with them on campus. In an interview with Merveille Ingabireyimana, one of our own students who will be leaving on the upcoming trip, she expressed that befriending French students Mina and Romane was a highlight of her semester, stating, \u201cthe entire week we were constantly talking with each other\u2026 we hung out, had a lot of meals together, and we follow each other on Instagram\u2026 we\u2019re besties now.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"FrenchExchangePose\"](\"https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_5396_optimized_2000-1200x900.jpeg\")
The French exchange students expressed what a great time they had on our campus, and took a quick picture altogether in front of our backdrop! | Selena Kimber<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhen asked what she hopes to gain from her upcoming trip, Ingabireyimana states, \u201cI hope that I\u2019m able to learn more leadership qualities and gain confidence within myself\u2026 I\u2019m glad that I\u2019m able to see myself grow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Along with visiting museums, caf\u00e9s, and other cultural landmarks throughout Cherbourg, the students will also have a few days in Paris to walk around and experience the famous city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Words to the Students Considering Studying Abroad<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<\/strong>The biggest setbacks to taking opportunities like this exchange program or other study abroad programs are our own worries. At the end of my interviews with Ingabireyimana and Coordinator Kimber, I asked each of them what they would say to students who are considering the opportunity, but letting their worries keep them from getting involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIngabireyimana says, \u201cJust go ahead and apply for it! You don\u2019t have to be completely invested in it because they give you a lot of opportunities to take back your application. And don\u2019t even stress about the financial part of it; that\u2019s mainly what I was stressed about and they were able to give me a full coverage scholarship. [If you\u2019re interested in looking at the different opportunities,] the TBR website is connected to the myPellissippi page, they\u2019ve got a bunch of different countries that you can visit and the courses they offer are very extensive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"FrenchExchange\"](\"https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_0702_optimized_2000-1200x900.jpeg\")
The French exchange students on their rafting trip! | Selena Kimber<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nKimber had a similar message, stating, \u201cAny students that are considering studying abroad should definitely make sure that they go to the Global Studies website<\/a> [or] stop by the Global Studies fair tables and get more information. The application opens for the Spring programs in September and the staff at the Global Studies office are always so welcoming and helpful. If you have any questions, just start getting as much information as you can early; it would be a great experience and a great way to travel affordably, because of the scholarships that are available.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\nFor students who may be dissuaded from the opportunity because of the initially high cost for a trip, Kimber further stated that \u201cOftentimes, the [price students are] seeing on the Global Studies website is not really the cost, because there are so many scholarships that students can apply for and receive<\/em> to help offset that cost.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\nConclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When asked what she hopes to gain from her upcoming trip, Ingabireyimana states, \u201cI hope that I\u2019m able to learn more leadership qualities and gain confidence within myself\u2026 I\u2019m glad that I\u2019m able to see myself grow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Along with visiting museums, caf\u00e9s, and other cultural landmarks throughout Cherbourg, the students will also have a few days in Paris to walk around and experience the famous city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Words to the Students Considering Studying Abroad<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<\/strong>The biggest setbacks to taking opportunities like this exchange program or other study abroad programs are our own worries. At the end of my interviews with Ingabireyimana and Coordinator Kimber, I asked each of them what they would say to students who are considering the opportunity, but letting their worries keep them from getting involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIngabireyimana says, \u201cJust go ahead and apply for it! You don\u2019t have to be completely invested in it because they give you a lot of opportunities to take back your application. And don\u2019t even stress about the financial part of it; that\u2019s mainly what I was stressed about and they were able to give me a full coverage scholarship. [If you\u2019re interested in looking at the different opportunities,] the TBR website is connected to the myPellissippi page, they\u2019ve got a bunch of different countries that you can visit and the courses they offer are very extensive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe French exchange students on their rafting trip! | Selena Kimber<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nKimber had a similar message, stating, \u201cAny students that are considering studying abroad should definitely make sure that they go to the Global Studies website<\/a> [or] stop by the Global Studies fair tables and get more information. The application opens for the Spring programs in September and the staff at the Global Studies office are always so welcoming and helpful. If you have any questions, just start getting as much information as you can early; it would be a great experience and a great way to travel affordably, because of the scholarships that are available.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\nFor students who may be dissuaded from the opportunity because of the initially high cost for a trip, Kimber further stated that \u201cOftentimes, the [price students are] seeing on the Global Studies website is not really the cost, because there are so many scholarships that students can apply for and receive<\/em> to help offset that cost.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\nConclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Ingabireyimana says, \u201cJust go ahead and apply for it! You don\u2019t have to be completely invested in it because they give you a lot of opportunities to take back your application. And don\u2019t even stress about the financial part of it; that\u2019s mainly what I was stressed about and they were able to give me a full coverage scholarship. [If you\u2019re interested in looking at the different opportunities,] the TBR website is connected to the myPellissippi page, they\u2019ve got a bunch of different countries that you can visit and the courses they offer are very extensive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kimber had a similar message, stating, \u201cAny students that are considering studying abroad should definitely make sure that they go to the Global Studies website<\/a> [or] stop by the Global Studies fair tables and get more information. The application opens for the Spring programs in September and the staff at the Global Studies office are always so welcoming and helpful. If you have any questions, just start getting as much information as you can early; it would be a great experience and a great way to travel affordably, because of the scholarships that are available.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n For students who may be dissuaded from the opportunity because of the initially high cost for a trip, Kimber further stated that \u201cOftentimes, the [price students are] seeing on the Global Studies website is not really the cost, because there are so many scholarships that students can apply for and receive<\/em> to help offset that cost.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\nConclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n