The students and three staff from Girton Grammar’s French sister school Sainte Ursule arrived in early this week and spent their first Tuesday in classes with Australian students.

The French students planned spend two weeks soaking up the Aussie lemode de vie (way of life) before heading home.

This was the sixth visit of its kind hosted by Girton Grammar and headmaster Matthew Maruff said it would bind ties between schools on opposite sides of the world.

“These exchanges allow for wonderful collaborative learning and give students a chance to take their language studies beyond the classroom,” he said.

“We have a strong French language program at Girton and the exchange experience often creates international friendships for life.”

The students were staying with host families and Girton staff. They would attend classes at Girton before touring Bendigo and visiting other tourist hotspots throughout Victoria.

Sainte Ursule English teacher Nadine Biard said the French students were enjoying their trip to the land down under. 

“It’s been fantastic. Australians have been very welcoming everywhere we have been,” she said.