News & Updates

Languages Trip to Switzerland and France

The Languages Department organised a trip to France and Switzerland during the first week of the Easter holidays. The trip consisted of 15 students from Years 7 to 9 and the main purpose of the trip was for our students to practise their French language skills whilst exploring the mountain environment of the Alps. On arrival in Geneva, a coach took everyone to the French border and the small village in Haute Savoie where the students stayed in simple but charming chalet-style accommodation in beautiful surroundings.

We were delighted to be able to offer the students a range of exciting snow based activities; two half days of skiing, a snow survival day, igloo building, cani-rando (hiking harnessed to a husky!) and visits to Mont Blanc, an artisan cheese maker, a chocolate factory and a day in the beautiful city of Geneva. Students were really immersed in French culture and language trying out a range of French foods including a traditional Savoyard fondue dinner on the last evening. Indeed, many students also brought a lot of food home to Hong Kong home with them including some very smelly cheeses! Mr Simms and Ms Morel, who led the trip, were impressed by the students’ efforts to speak French and their overall curiosity and interest in learning about a different culture. Students also had some French lessons with a native speaker and created a story book with a very unusual but creative story line!

There really is no better way of learning about a country’s culture and traditions and practising the language than visiting that country and immersing oneself fully and Mr Simms and Ms Morel were delighted that students from Harrow International School, Hong Kong did so with such enthusiasm. We look forward to offering more trips abroad in the near future.

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