In cooperation with Mercer Island High School, the Mercer Island Sister City Association has organized a trip during spring break, March 30 to April 9, to the Island’s French sister city, Thonon-les-Bains, for students in grades 9 through 11 who are residents of Mercer Island. Students will stay with Thonon host students’ families, visiting their French high school and area attractions. In October 2012 the French students will travel to Mercer Island, where they spend about 10 days with the same students they hosted in Thonon. Mercer Island students are carefully matched with hosts who have similar interests.

In addition to meeting new friends and a host family in Thonon, some highlights of the itinerary include: French school visits with host students on two mornings, a guided tour of Thonon, lunch at Ecole Hotel School where students train for careers as chefs and in the hotel industry, a visit to the port, fisherman’s village and museum, a visit to Thonon’s market day and shops, tours of the Evian Water plant, the medieval village of Yvoire, and the Swiss Army and Knife Museum in Morge, outdoor activities, participation in a French service day with French student groups and an end-of-the-trip evening party.

Applications are due Feb. 5. For more information, or to complete itinerary and application process, contact Beth Brennan, 232-7650; Linda Todd, 232-4570; or Monica Howell, 232-2983.