2024

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Eli Nelson-Papish

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One of the most meaningful experiences I have had in high school has been my Science Research class. In this class we work with a professional mentor in our field of interest to perform relevant research and learn how to write and present our findings at different science fairs over the course of three years. For my project, I have been investigating the best sustainable heating system for my school. I first determined the heat loss of my school by looking at the materials of every wall and the temperatures over the course of the year. I then calculated how many solar panels would be required to generate enough power to heat and cool the school year round. This would help my school to become more eco-friendly while also saving the school and town large sums of money in the future as the excess energy being generated over the summer can go to subsidize nearby houses’ energy bills. This research broadened my academic perspective by giving me hands-on engineering research experience similar to that of a college class.

Through this project, I also learned a lot about how to collaborate with people of different backgrounds as we had a partnership with le Lycée Joliot Curie in Sète, France in which we worked with a class of French students who were also researching local sustainability practices. We would meet regularly on video calls to share our progress in each of our unique research projects and further our language skills and cultural knowledge as we would speak purely in French while they would speak to us in English. Eventually we worked with each other to create the first international exchange program at my school in decades. I travelled to their city staying in the home of one of the students at their school, and I presented at Sèt’Expo Sciences, an international science exposition in Sète, along with the rest of their students and two others from my class. We also used this opportunity to learn more about the cultural differences between our two countries, and how different perspectives on our projects could help us to alter our research ideas to be more effective. While at the exposition, we were judged by professionals in our fields who were able to give valuable insight into ways that we could improve the efficiency of our projects using ideas in place in France already.

 

Camilla Zabikhodjaeva

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My experience with the Pleasantville-Sète collaboration was instrumental in shaping both my research and worldview. Early in the program, Zoom calls with the Science Research class at the Lycée Joliot Curie allowed me and my fellow PHS students to refine our French skills while presenting our projects in a foreign language. I was also able to experience life in Sète as a local when I stayed with my host family for a week, which included many trips to explore the town and surrounding areas to learn about its history and industries. Finally, my understanding of my research project was definitely enhanced by my participation in the Sèt’Expo Sciences. The different composting regulations between the U.S. and France informed my understanding of sustainable waste removal, the subject around which my project is centered. I think that infusing science with a multicultural perspective is the best way to ensure that all possible angles/solutions to modern issues are tested, and the Pleasantville-Sète collaboration opened my eyes to this phenomenon.

 

Sebastian Vidra

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My work in the science research class has been an incredibly beneficial step into the world of research. My research topic was about how dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) can be used to recycle indoor ambient light such as artificial ceiling lights. This work could be a new field of green energy where indoor lights can help to recycle energy and reduce the dependence on harmful nonrenewable energy sources. The class has taught me the steps on conducting research, writing a research paper, and presenting my research.

One of the best opportunities brought to me with this class was the Sète-Pleasantville collaboration. I spent a week in France where I had the chance to spend a day with French students at le Lycée Joliot Curie in Sète and present my research at the Sèt’Expo Sciences alongside other students of science. The day in the school exposed me to how French education worked with much greater specialization than in the U.S., and the greater freedom students get in taking their classes. The expo gave me a chance to present my research to people who had no experience with it, and I presented it in another language. I also had the opportunity to explain my research on a French radio show. The trip served as a cultural experience as well where I was hosted by another Sète student, saw how everyday life was in France, and took historical tours of the local area. This collaboration has been extremely beneficial in helping me progress in research as well as presenting and learning the customs of another culture. I am grateful for this opportunity and the friendships, knowledge, and memories gained from it.

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2025

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Camilla Browand

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I had the amazing opportunity to travel to Sète, France last year to present my research at the Sèt’Expo Sciences. I learned so much from when I first met my host family and practiced French through zoom to when I returned home from France. I got to stay with a host family, attend different classes at Lycée Joliot Curie and Paul Bousquet Lycée de la Mer. It was so interesting getting to experience different French schools and classes such as philosophy and their version of Science Research. I also got to tour Ifremer, an Institute for Ocean Science which I thought was an awesome experience. I was able to present my project to both judges at the Expo and French high school students. Not only did I grow exponentially asa French speaker, but I also got to understand my project on a deeper level. I also was able to connect and meet new friends with whom I stay in contact with.

 

Tung Lam Nguyen

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I am honored to have this rare opportunity offered through Sete Program, giving me this rare opportunity to explore research in another country. It is the reason that I am motivated to continue exploring international research topics. I got to present in foreign language, which greatly strengthened my scientific vocabulary. I saw the work of students from the Lycée, with their own methods of research. Along with the great feedback from the researchers, I gained new insights and allowed me to refine my thinking in research. I experienced the nuanced culture of France through my welcoming host family, the students and the scientists. I still remember discovering the octopus pie dish and realizing how much more of the French traditions there was to know.

 

Alexis Busch

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Although the idea of traveling to a foreign country to present my science research in a foreign language seemed daunting at first, the experience gave me long-lasting relationships, memories, and has shaped me as a person. The highlight of the trip for me was staying with my host family. My host family welcomed me warmly and gave me grace when I stumbled through sentences the first few days. My host family also gave me direct insight into French culture and practice with the language so that by the end of the week, I felt comfortable presenting in front of judges. The trip also further exposed me to French culture with visits to schools like Lycée Joliot Curie, where we shared research with French students, and Lycée de la Mer Paul Bousquet, where we learned about French vocational schools centered around marine professions. Overall, the Pleasantville & Sète Collaboration gave me a chance to exchange meaningful research with students across the world and learn about another culture that has shaped my worldview.

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2026

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Yasmina Shouery

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Participating in this exchange program was unforgettable because it brought new perspectives. Getting the chance to attend this trip to learn about cultural differences, meeting new people, traveling, and exploring part of the country that we talk about weekly in french class was amazing. While in France we met new people, exchanged contact information, and still stay in touch with some of them today. During our trip we attended a french high school called Lycée Joliot-Curie, which gave us new perspectives and a better sense of student life in France. For example we got to compare cultural differences between students during an english class. Along with this, our group also visited a laboratory where we were able to view many fossils and other scientific collections. Towards the end of the trip all the American students got the opportunity to present their research projects in French at a science fair called the Sèt’Expo Sciences, allowing us to practice the language with other people. The parts of this trip that made the experience memorable however, was the amount of people we met throughout this trip. For example we met some students from the French high school who were interested in exchanging contact information because they wanted to learn more about student life in the U.S. Or we met people at the Sèt’Expo Sciences one of which was so excited to meet us that he brought us gifts and even preformed his presentation in english for us so he could practice. Throughout this trip we also got to make amazing and fun memories with two interns who were working with the Sèt’Expo Sciences. Also, the connections and memories we made with our host families was unforgettable. My host family was incredibly welcoming and kind and although communicating was often a struggle they were really patient, and understanding to help improve my French. Getting to explore parts of Sète and nearby cities with my host family was fun as we made connections. For instance, I played games with my host siblings such as Monopoly, and Clue which was really fun. But, I also got to connect with my host sister most of all as there was one day where we went for a walk down the beach and I cartwheeled down the beach with her. Therefore, beyond the activities, travelling, and visiting locations, most of all the best part was making new connections with people abroad that I formed along the way!

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Marco Suarez

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As a Pleasantville HS student studying both Science Research and French, this exchange program combined so many things I care about — science, language, travel, and meeting new people. We attended a full day of classes in French at the Lycée Joliot-Curie in Sète, and even made the smell of bananas in chemistry class. We also visited the University of Montpellier's Faculté de Médecine, the oldest medicine school in the world, and their evolution laboratory with incredibly old artifacts and fossils, which I found very interesting. Presenting my science project about sustainable aviation in French at Sèt’Expo Sciences was something I honestly would not have imagined myself being able to do even recently, and even though I was nervous beforehand, it ended up being one of the coolest and most rewarding parts of the experience.

 

My host family were some of the nicest people I have ever met, and spending time with them was one of the best parts of the trip. I got to explore Sète with my host brother and his friends, play basketball, visit the Escale à Sète boating festival, and experience everyday life in France in a way I never could as a tourist. I did my best to speak French the whole time with the host family — as my host mom later said, ‘Il n'a parlé avec nous qu'en français.’ I also had some of the best food I’ve had in a while — homemade bread from my host family, fresh oysters and mussels, real ratatouille, and even flan at school lunch — and by the end of the trip I had made so many new friends and connections.

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Kellie Monier

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Le voyage aux US a été une superbe expérience car c’était plus qu’un voyage, c’était une immersion dans de superbes familles (celle de Lexi et de Jurij) qui nous ont fait découvrir non seulement leur pays et leur village, mais aussi leur culture, leurs habitudes, leur système éducatif, leurs amis. Ils ont trouvé un maximum de temps à nous accorder afin de nous montrer le plus de choses possibles et nous ne nous sommes pas ennuyées 1 seconde. Chaque jour était rempli d’activités et de rencontres

et nous repartons plein de souvenirs en tête.

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Nous avons particulièrement aimé nos 2 jours passés à l’école qui étaient absolument fabuleux. Les américains sont extrêmement accueillants et très hospitaliers. Ils nous ont montré avec enthousiasme tout ce qui caractérisait leur école et nous avons eu le plaisir d’observer toutes les différences qu’il y avait par rapport au système scolaire français. La soirée américaine à laquelle nous a emmené Lexi était aussi pour nous un superbe moyen de découvrir la jeunesse américaine sans

filtre, à hauteur de notre génération, expérience qui nous a permis de discuter avec des dizaines d’américains.

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De plus, découvrir leurs habitudes culinaires était aussi dépaysant et nous avons adoré les bagels new yorkais

C’est pourquoi je remercie mes parents de m’avoir offert ce super voyage, et l’organisation set’exposciences d’avoir mis en place ce partenariat

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Selma Diab

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Partir une semaine aux États-Unis grâce à cette organisation a été une expérience absolument inoubliable ! À 17 ans, plonger en immersion totale dans la culture américaine m'a permis de grandir et de vivre des moments magiques. J'ai eu la chance d'être accueilli par une famille formidable, d'une générosité et d'une bienveillance incroyables, qui m'a tout de suite mis en confiance.

 

Chaque journée était une nouvelle aventure dans une ambiance conviviale et chaleureuse. Mais ce que j'ai par-dessus tout adoré, c'est de passer deux jours en cours dans un lycée américain, dans la peau d'un vrai élève ! Être ainsi entouré au quotidien par ma correspondante, ses copines ultra-accueillantes et sa famille m'a obligé à me dépasser. C’est le meilleur moyen pour booster son niveau d'anglais et oser aller vers les autres. Si vous hésitez encore à vous lancer, n'attendez plus :

c'est l'opportunité d'une vie, foncez !