Last month, six Tyrone Area High School students, along with their teacher, Madame Marie Smith, went on a three-day trip to New York City.
The French III students, including Byron Kost, Mike Price, Becky Swann, Evan Kost, Tiffany Bradford and Paige Black, were also accompanied by Madame Smith’s husband, Mike.
The purpose of “le voyage a New York” was to show the influence and popularity of French language and culture in the city. Madame Smith explained she wanted her students to experience the importance that France and the French language have played in the history of the United States.
The group stayed at the historic New Yorker Hotel, located in Midtown Manhattan, close to the Empire State Building and Macy’s.
Madame Smith, who planned the entire trip, said she chose this hotel because it is very historic and would help the travelers get a taste of the Old World.
A beautiful chandelier adorns the hotel’s lobby, where many languages could be heard. Students were surprised to hear “le Francais” being spoken in the hotel as soon as they arrived. The students also heard French spoken on the elevator, in the breakfast room, on busses and on the street.
The bell hop at the hotel wished the entourage “bonne journe,” meaning “enjoy your day.”
According to Madame Smith, the kids were happy they were able to understand the language and have short conversations.
“New York City accurately represents some of the French atmosphere. All around you hear different languages. The hotel was full of diverse cultures. The restaurants are filled with good food and people.
“I enjoyed the city and the amazing structures of buildings. Some buildings were built in past years with carvings and designs. The library was remarkable. It has a great setting being next to Bryant Park. I would go back any chance I had,” said Mike Price, an 11th grade student.
French culture was also enjoyed in the city. In lower Manhattan students saw “La Statue de la Liberte,” which was a gift from the French people to the American people in honor of a French-American alliance. Although they had planned to visit the statue, they were unfortunately not able to because the weather would not cooperate.
Students immersed themselves in French Culture on the Upper East Side, with a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art which has an extensive gallery of French Impressionist artists, including Monet, Renoir, Degas and Cezanne. In the sculpture gallery there were works by Auguste Rodin, who was immortalized by “The Thinker.”
The group spent a lot of time at the museum looking at the artwork they previously only knew from the classroom.
“It was nice to experience many of the things that we have learned about in class. When we visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art, I was interested to see French impressionist paintings by painters that we had talked about.
“I was surprised at how much the French culture had influenced the city. We did not even have to leave the hotel to hear French being spoken. I would not have guessed how many stores and restaurants in the city had French names and influences.
“I learned so much, not only about the French, but also about American culture from this experience,” said Paige Black, an 11th grader at Tyrone.
“As we walked Madison Avenue, we passed French designer boutiques like Chanel and Christian Dior, French cafes, restaurants and patisseries.
“On 34th Street, near our hotel, we walked through Bryant Park. It’s very French, with French architecture and a French garden,” said Madame Smith.
Bryant Park has cafe tables and chairs. Some people visit the park to play checkers. There is a beautiful, old carousel by the park, which is something that can often be found in French parks.
“I feel like I’m sitting in a park in Paris,” Madame Smith said of Bryant Park, “It definitely has a very French flair.”
“It is amazing to see so many cultures come together in one place. Bryant Park is so beautiful, and there are so many things that resemble the French culture all throughout the city.
“New York has so many different types of people from so many places all over the world, it is amazing to see them all come together with all their different styles, food and culture.
“New York is definitely a place I would enjoy going back to visit, it was an amazing experience, that taught me so much about life,” said 11th grader, Becky Swann.
Dining was also a part of the French experience while in New York. For dinner, the group ate at the French restaurant, “L’Express.” With bouquets of flowers on the bar and the dark woodwork, Madame Smith said it had great French ambiance.
“It felt like I was in a French restaurant in Paris,” she said.
Appetizers were escargots pates and entrees included canard a l’orange (duck with orange sauce) and steak frites (steak and fries).
One thing Madame Smith noticed that was similar to European style, was the fact that many New Yorkers ate later in the evening.
For lunch, the group dined at Au Bon Pain, meaning “To the Good Bread.” There they enjoyed salad, soup and sandwiches served on French baguettes.
“My husband Mike was a terrific guide for all of us, whether walking, or taking the busses or the metro.
“Also I was so proud of how well the students behaved and got along, even though fatigue set in toward the end of our visit,” said Madame Smith.
“The trip to New York was an excellent experience for me. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I entered the city. It was huge.
“The hotel was impressive and it was interesting to be walking around with your average New Yorkers. Getting to see all of the landmarks was fun, such as the Bull in Wall Street, the 9-11 Memorial and the Empire State Building. Eating the French food was good as well.
“This is a trip that I will never forget and was definitely an enjoyable experience,” said 11th grade student, Byron Kost.
Madame Smith explained, “I wanted to maximize, not only the influence of the French culture on the city, but the extraordinary time to be in the city, a day before the election with Rockefeller Plaza transformed into Democracy plaza. What an inspiring evening.”
“Visiting New York City with the French Club was an incredible experience that I will forever remember,” said 11th grader, Evan Kost.
“Upon entering the city, I was immediately struck by the many different cultures. From visiting Chinatown, the Korean District, and various Irish, German, French, and Italian shops and restaurants, I was overwhelmed with culture.
“Also, the many parks we visited were simply breathtaking. Central Park, Madison Park, and even Bryant Park inspired me with their beauty.
“Surprisingly, I also enjoyed the hustle of the city. I’ve always thought of my self as a ‘fast-paced’ person, and I fit right in. Upon returning from the visit, I knew that New York City was a place where I could possibly see myself living and attending college in the near-future,” Kost said.
