While the rest of us were preparing for another year at North Penn by filling our backpacks with number two pencils and three ring binders, Caroline Loper was cramming her suitcase to capacity for her upcoming junior year overseas. She is studying at the Lycée Pierre de Fermat in Toulouse France and loving every minute of it.

 “Everything feels natural to me here, even eating dinner at 8:30. But I don’t think I will ever get used to having school on Saturdays” she said.

 Besides having six-day weeks, there are a few basic differences between French and American school systems. In France, the day’s start time as well as a student’s class schedule varies from day to day. French life in general is set on a later timetable.  On Mondays, school begins at 10 a.m. with lunch being served around 2 p.m.   Around 6, when most people in the U.S. are eating dinner, the French typically head to a café to enjoy a cup of coffee and spend time with their friends before dinner, which usually occurs around 8:30.

 “It’s so relaxed here,” says Caroline. 

 Also, while America’s juniors prepare for the SAT’s, France’s eleventh graders prepare for the Baccalauréat, a similar exam for the college-bound. Performance on “the Bach” also determines if one will graduate high school.

 Other differences between the U.S. and France include the drinking age and the driving age (both are 18), and the prevalence of smoking.

 “Everyone here smokes.  I’m not even kidding.  You could probably ask any person for a cigarette on the street and they’ll have one,” she says.

 Although French life is definitely different, teenagers are generally the same.

 “They like the same things we do,” she explains.  “Hanging with friends, music, etc.  It’s kind of funny; they listen to a lot of the same [American] music we do, but they don’t know what the lyrics mean or what the lyrics are.”

 After her studies, Caroline enjoys relaxing with her host family in their first floor apartment in downtown Toulouse.  The apartment is completely decorated with paintings and art, and has giant windows in every room giving it “a vintage feeling.”

 “My host family is absolutely perfect,” she says with admiration.  “I am so lucky to be matched with them.  My parents are super nice and generous.  My mom is always willing to help me, and is an amazing cook.  My dad is also kind, and so funny.  I also have a little sister, Colette, who’s 10.  And then there’s Augustin.  He’s 15 and absolutely hilarious.  And of course, there’s Hadrien who’s at North Penn this year.  The whole family is just the best.”

As well as spending time with her host family, Caroline likes hanging out at cafés, touring the city, and window-shopping with friends.  She belongs to a group in which members meet once a week to play middle-eastern style music. She stays active by participating in crew (rowing), and running.

 Of course, France is well known for its pristine fashion and top-notch cuisine.

 “The food here is amazing,” she boasts.  “I think my favorite meal my host mom has made is blanquette de boeuf, which is sort of comparable to beef stew, but not really.  When around town, I always love buying pastries.”

 In terms of fashion, she explains that it’s “ very high end and expensive.”

 “They aren’t into neon or bright colors like the U.S.  Everything is a lot more neutral as navy blues, browns, tans, and off-whites are really popular. It seems like everyone has sweaters with patches on the elbows or buttons going down the back, purses where the straps are sequins, at least one pair of navy pants, and All-Star or Ralph Lauren sneakers. And as far as shoes go, leather boots are really in right now. Actually, scratch that, boots in general are popular, especially as the weather is getting colder. Oh, and the girls love their accessories. Surprisingly, not too many people have piercings though, but they wear clip on earrings, and everyone has a watch.”

 In her remaining time in France, Caroline plans to visit Turkey, Madrid, Rome, and Ireland.

 Although she misses all her friends and family in Pennsylvania, Facebook and Skype make it simple to stay in touch. When she returns to the U.S, her loved ones will certainly see that she has a deeper understanding of French culture, and of course, a fantastic accent.  Until then, Bonne Chance, Caroline!