Eight high school (lycee) students and three adult chaperones arrived Oct. 24 on Mercer Island from the French sister city, Thonon-les-Bains, in the Haute Savoie region of France near Geneva, Switzerland.
They were hosted by the families of exchange students from MIHS who had travelled to Thonon this past April. The visit was coordinated by the Mercer Island Sister City Association.
The French visitors began their activities on Oct. 25 at a reception at City Hall, where Mayor Bruce Bassett and other city officials welcomed them to Mercer Island, continuing a tradition that was established in 2000 when the ‘jumelage’ was formed: promoting friendship, international understanding and cultural and educational exchanges.
Over the next 10 days, the students attended classes and other school events. They visited area landmarks, including the new Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit at the Seattle Center.
For more information about the student exchange program or other activities of the Mercer Island Sister City Association, contact Linda Todd at ljtodd@comcast.net or call 232-4570.
