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Éric SZARZYNSKI,
Deputy Head of School and Secondary School Principal

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Across Borders, Beyond Classrooms: How Exchange Programs Transform Students

Going on an exchange program during High School can be an exciting and enriching experience for students—but what about missing classes, preparing for college, or keeping up your grades?

The ADN Student Exchange Program, offered in Gr10 at the Lycée, combines the best of both worlds: a meaningful cultural exchange at one of the many sister schools around the world, where aligned curricula and shared academic standards ensure students stay on track with their education.

A Journey That Starts with Curiosity

“I could go to Japan on my own or with my parents but it wouldn’t be nearly as enriching as living with a local family - I would miss the human connection.” 

Titouan dreamed of living in Kyoto, not as a tourist, but as a local. In Gr10, his dream came true thanks to the ADN Student Exchange Program. With this world-wide program, students have the opportunity to spend up to 8 weeks studying at a fellow Lycée somewhere across the world, fully immersed in a new environment while continuing their French educational curriculum. They take their first steps toward global citizenship—not in theory, but in practice.

Matching Lives, Not Just Schools

The ADN program thrives on connection—students are usually matched through the AGORA Monde platform that links students (and alumni) across the network. 

“This year, while the system is under overhaul, school leaders facilitated the exchange”, explains Éric SZARZYNSKI, Deputy Head of School at the Lycée Français de San Francisco. “We have great relationships with the other schools, that’s what makes it all possible.”

Some students also got creative. Ange, from Tokyo (Japan), really wanted to come to our Lycée, in San Francisco : “I went on the school Instagram account and that’s how I found Aya”. Her Lycée buddy added “We immediately clicked, I knew we would get along!”

As part of the process, students need to rank they preferred region, city or school, the gender of their exchange buddy, and the format they choose :

• DUO: both students spend time together, first in one country, then in the other
• SOLO: they fully swap lives, each living with the other's family

“The more open and flexible students are, the more likely they are to find the perfect fit,” notes Éric SZARZYNSKI. “We also advise them to only make choices they can commit to”.

The matching process considers everything from routines and hobbies to food allergies, family dynamics, and even pets—helping ensure smooth transitions and meaningful connections.

Staying on Track Academically 

What makes the ADN program so effective is the fact that all participating schools share the French national curriculum. Students might be thousands of miles apart, but they’re often learning the same material at the same time.

“It’s really the same things we’re learning,” confirms Eskil, from Norway.

“It’s a great way to interact with other cultures and meet people from around the world—while still continuing your education program,” adds Axel, from London.

“In their hosting school, they are still considered full-time students — they’re expected to attend classes, be consistent, arrive on time, and complete assignments”, reminds the Deputy Head of School. 

Indeed, their academic load and responsibilities aren’t put on hold. In fact, students continue receiving graded evaluations that are shared between schools via liaison forms. This is particularly important for their future college applications: the semester-based system ensures that transcripts remain consistent and representative.

 

 

And when adjustments are needed, schools collaborate. 

“We propose additional courses here—like US History—and we work with students to manage the load if it’s too much,” says Éric SZARZYNSKI.

For practical reasons such as this one, some schools have to be selective and only allow some students to take part in the program : “They can’t send everyone. It’s a real balancing act to make sure there’s enough space for the visiting students or that the grade is not too depleted. But here at the Lycée in San Francisco, there’s a strong will to extend the program.”, explains Éric SZARZYNSKI. 

For that reason, at the Lycée, the school year is now organized in such a way that other major programs like the Global Learning Trip to Washington and the professional Shadow Days are scheduled during the first semester, to avoid overlap with ADN departures.

Living the Experience to the Fullest 

The ADN program is not a vacation. It’s a deep dive into someone else’s world. And for many, the personal impact is lifelong.

“You’re not just visiting. You’re part of a little family,” says Louisa, from Valencia.

“You help with dinner, you empty the dishwasher—it’s not a hotel. You build real relationships,” adds Eric.

Many students remain close long after the exchange ends. Some visit their buddies' home countries again. Sometimes even the parents become friends. One pair bonded over basketball; now, three years later, they’re still in touch!

“I also really got along with my buddy’s family,” notes Aya, a Lycee student. 

These authentic bonds, built in day-to-day life, are what students often cherish the most. “That human connection is what stays with them the most and many make lifelong friends,” Éric SZARZYNSKI shares. 

“Later, if I return to San Francisco, I know I’ll always have friends here to reminisce about this awesome experience,” Célia says.

 

 

What They Learn (Sometimes Without Even Realizing it) 

This experience is often the first of its kind — students leave their parents, their families, and their classmates for several weeks to integrate into a new life and a new school. Most of the time, they can count on the support of their new friend — their ADN buddy — alongside whom they learn so much.

“You learn so much without realizing it,” says Louisa. “You become more independent, and it really changes your view of the world.”

“As a boy, being able to be with a girl forced me to adapt and understand new things. It was very interesting and we really got along,” says Titouan.

“Of course they come back different,” says Éric SZARZYNSKI. “It forces them out of their comfort zone. They grow in confidence, learn to adapt, and take initiative.”

The cultural and linguistic exposure is also remarkable. For students studying a foreign language, spending time in a country where that language is spoken significantly accelerates their learning. They always pick up some new words, even if it’s their first time interacting with the language.

“I now know how to say Arigato gozaimasu (the polite way of saying thank you in Japan),” Aya proudly shares.

“At first, you can experience some cultural shock but then you get over it, and it’s part of the experience. In Japan for example, there are a lot of signs of respect, for example you can’t wear shoes at home”, Celia explains.

“It’s offensive if you do,” completes Titouan, “It’s the same with talking on a bus. I didn’t know I wasn’t supposed to. This cultural shock has been really interesting to me. Understanding the Japanese way of thinking that is much more strict and centered on values and respect, helped me realize a lot of things about our environment and the world in which we live.”

Martha, from Valencia, also enjoyed the fact that “You explore a new culture deeply, not just the country’s monuments and restaurants”. 

Emma, from Barcelona, had a funny anecdote: “One day we decided to wear Pajama pants at school because we saw in movies that Americans could do that.”

“Being at the Lycée in SF felt like being immersed in American culture—just like in the movies,” echoed Celia.

Others simply gain appreciation for home.

“When you live in a city, you forget how beautiful it is,” reflects Sofia, from Rome.

“When I came back from Japan where people are minding their business I found the people in San Francisco very friendly because they interact so easily!” remembers Aya.

These students had the opportunity to deeply experience and understand another culture —its clichés as much as the facts they didn’t even know existed.

Why the Lycée Français de San Francisco Stands Out

The Lycée has become one of the most requested schools in the network—alongside the Lycée Français in London and New York. This year alone, 15 students from San Francisco are participating between January and June.

"The demand for San Francisco has remained incredibly high, and it makes our school a very attractive destination”, says Éric SZARZYNSKI. “Our students are seen as engaged, open-minded, and academically well-prepared."

Visiting students often speak about what makes their experience in San Francisco so special:

"You fit right in here,” says Louisa.

 “Everyone treats you like a friend—it’s like they’ve known you forever,” adds Béatrice, from Turin.

 “There’s a real sense of family here—it’s a very comforting atmosphere to be in,” reflects Axel.

Some students are also surprised by the more informal, student-centered approach to education at the Lycée in San Francisco:

“The relationship with teachers is so different here,” one student shared.“You feel like you’re seen and heard.”

“I saw my principal every day in San Francisco,” said another. “In my home school, I don’t even know what mine looks like.”

The size of the school definitely plays a part in these deeper and impactful relationships. Paired with a rigorous and well-supported academic environment, they contribute in making the ADN experience at the Lycée so transformative.

For our students, the world is their oyster and they can follow their heart. 

“Our students are very attracted to Asia,” says Eric, “but this year, students also went to England, Portugal, Spain, Belgium—and last year, Brazil. They’re truly spoiled for choice.”

CONCLUSION : A Program That Changes Lives

“The program speaks for itself—it’s clearly a wonderful opportunity!” says Axel. “It’s designed in such a way that you can’t really go wrong. You’re surrounded by people like you, but there’s a meaningful exchange. It’s really wonderful.”

“This program will change your perspective on life!” adds Gaia, from London.

Whether it’s picking up a new language, discovering a different lifestyle, or building a friendship that spans continents, the ADN Exchange Program opens doors in every sense.

And for those still hesitating?

“I have zero regret, I would do it completely again”, Sarah states.

“No one should pass on the opportunity to do it,” Axel insists.