French Teachers Build Connections in Luxembourg

This summer, University School of Milwaukee Middle School French Teachers Nora Sachs and Jordan Macak traveled to Luxembourg, where they participated in a teacher exchange program with fellow Wisconsin-based teachers. While there, they explored the country and culture, along with the history of Luxembourgish immigration to Wisconsin. Much of their experience was centered on developing ways to build meaningful experiences for students with the possibility of building international relationships. 

In partnership with Marc Zimer and his colleagues at Lënster Lycee International School in Junglinster, Sachs and Macak observed many classes of the European Union and Luxembourgish school systems, spoke with exceptionally talented international faculty members, and participated in workshops on what forms this partnership and exchange may take in the future. 

“Driving through its rolling green hills, it's easy to see why Luxembourgish immigrants to the United States felt right at home here in Wisconsin,” said Sachs. “Luxembourg is about the size of the Milwaukee metro area, but only about half of their population are Luxembourgish nationals. As a result, students and adults communicate across a variety of different languages (mainly Luxembourgish, German, French, and English) and demonstrate a wide breadth of cultural understandings. Jordan and I were both struck by the multilingual and multicultural environment at the Lënster Lycée. It was clear how instinctively students at even the youngest grades showed intercultural competence through their work in content and language.”

They were also joined by Gregg Bach, retired USM assistant head of school, and Susie Bach, retired USM junior kindergarten teacher. The experience concluded with a dinner uniting all participating teachers from Wisconsin and Luxembourg hosted by former Milwaukee mayor Tom Barrett, who currently serves as the U.S. ambassador to Luxembourg.

This opportunity was supported by Zimer and the Luxembourg American Cultural Society through a private donation.