USM Welcomes French Students and Teachers

University School of Milwaukee recently welcomed 23 high school students and three teachers from Brest, Brittany, France, to spend a few days in Milwaukee and at USM. The group was part of a program organized by Upper School French Teachers Renee Weber and Joseph Westerfield.

While here, the French students experienced American culture, participated in homestays, shadowed Upper School students, and took field trips to various sites in Milwaukee and Madison, Wisconsin. Sixteen USM families from all three divisions volunteered to host the students, while Upper School teachers are hosting the visiting teachers.

This is the fifth year USM has done an exchange with students from Brest (previous school years were 2014–15, 2016–17, 2018–19, and 2022–23). Amongst the many goals of the program, students from both countries will improve their language skills and experience the culture first-hand by living with a family and attending school.  

“This is a life-changing week for 23 students from France, and quite possibly for their host families, and we are so grateful to the USM community for embracing this exchange,” said Weber. “Teachers, parents, coaches, and administrators welcomed the French into their homes, classes, and sports practices. The friendships formed, cultures exchanged, and languages learned could not have happened without everyone's involvement!”