Student Excited To Live Like A Local

On Upcoming Trip To France

By Larissa Lytwyn

Elisa VanBuskirk, a 16-year-old junior at Newtown High School, hails from a family with a world view.

Her parents, Peter and Tracy VanBuskirk, share a love of traveling. Ms VanBuskirk has relished her college experience studying abroad in Tai Pei, Taiwan. Four years ago, Mr VanBuskirk’s business career led the family to a one-year relocation in Switzerland.

Then, this past spring, the VanBuskirk family welcomed 17-year-old Norwegian exchange student Veronica Reitan through AFS, a nonprofit student exchange program.

“I remembered how much my mom had appreciated traveling abroad in college, and I have always wanted to be an exchange student,” said Elisa. “Last year I applied to AFS to be one during part of my junior year in high school. I also thought it would be cool to host an exchange student.”

The family, she said, was thrilled to receive Veronica, a girl she describes as being very bright.

“Her English was incredible — better than ours!” laughed Elisa. “They’re taught the language from a very early age.”

Veronica, now back in her native Norway, has been working as a tourist guide in the Fjords this summer.

She is still in touch with the VanBuskirk family through occasional email and phone contact.

In the meantime, Elisa said she was “incredibly excited” to learn that she had been chosen by a family in Bourges, France — just south of Paris — that will host her from September until February.

Elisa has studied French for three years, and, while admitting she is “not quite fluent,” she is confident that she will be able “to get along okay.”

This past spring, she spent Newtown schools’ one-week April vacation traveling to and around Paris.

“While I liked Paris, I really liked the outer villages and smaller towns more,” she said. “They’re just more my style.”

As for the French themselves, Elisa described them as, contrary to popular American perception, “really friendly.”

“I would compare Bourges to Danbury in terms of population size,” said Elisa.

Her host family consists of a single mother, dentist Francoise Vilpoux, and her two children, 9-year-old Louis and 13-year-old Aurelie.

“They sent me this beautiful photo album of their home and their family,” said Elisa. “The family reminds me of my own. The mother seems to have the same sense of humor as my family, and the vibe just seems really similar!”

Elisa also has a younger brother, 14-year-old Dana.

“I’m really excited about this trip — just living there, going to school, being a part of the everyday life,” said Elisa. “AFS really emphasizes being part of the family, going on trips with them, really immersing yourself into the culture. It’s not about going on a vacation and sightseeing all the time. Veronica really encouraged me to be outgoing, and just put myself out there!”

This summer, Elisa has been busy emailing the Vilpoux family with frequent questions, from their hobbies and interests to Bourges weather and its school system.

Bourges climate, she said, is similar to North Carolina’s: temperate, with four seasons, but generally warmer than Connecticut.

She plans to bring her late summer and fall attire with her to Bourges, later having her parents send her winter clothes.

AFS exchange students are only allowed to bring about 40 pounds worth of luggage.

All of this fall’s exchange students will be convening in Washington, D.C., for training before flying to their various destinations.

Veronica, remembered Elisa, met a lot of people all over Norway that way, forming several new friendships.

Elisa hopes to do the same with her adventurous American peers.

As for Bourges education system, “We will be going to school six days a week,” said Elisa. “Our days will be approximately from 9 am to 5 pm with the opportunity to go home for lunch! I’m excited about that — it reminds me of the ‘olden days’ when American kids got to go home at midday!”

While she admits her parents will miss her, Elisa said her family has been “very supportive” of her upcoming trip.

“They’re really happy for me,” she said. “This is really a great opportunity. I’m just really looking forward to being there, being in the culture. I can’t wait!”

For more information about AFS, visit www.afs.org. Prospective exchange students, or families interested in hosting a young guest from abroad, are encouraged to contact AFS Fairfield Country coordinator Beth Duff at 203-894-8126 or email at Mail2Bduff@aol.com.