Bonjour!!

On 4th March,2023 we arrived France for a foreign exchange program under DEFIAA (i.e. Developing French Indian Exchanges in Agro-food products , Agriculture and Agronomy). As a part of this program our first stay was at THEZA.We were welcomed at the institute by Indo- French cordinators Mr. Christophe Groell , Ms. Chantal Desprats and the Director of the institute. An integration week was organised for us to get some basic acquaintance with France , its people and the culture.

During this week we visited some places in southern France like Collioure. It is an incredible small village located near the Mediterranean coast with a beautiful local market . We also went to have a look at the Mediterranean sea. Then we visited to St. Cyprien where we saw the ports and some sea animals.

We also had some French lessons in which we learned few French words which helped us in communicating to French people throughout our entire stay in France.

On 8th March we had a celebration in the institute as it was 'Holi' - the festival of colors. We celebrated the festival with the French students and the professors and offered them some Indian snacks.

On the same night there was an Indo-French cultural programme in which all the Indian students were dressed up in Indian traditional attires . The mix of Indian and French music made the night even more fantastic and memorable.

This integration week played a major role in knowing things about France as before this everyone just heard about the country from others perspective but during this period we learned things by seeing.
After this , everyone dispersed to their respective institutes. I had to stay at LEGTA Chartres la Saussaye for two weeks. We had a travel of around 10 hours in a bus with the cordinators and two students.

In la Saussaye , we learned a lot of things regarding food processing. We made French baguette , wheat flour, apple juice , biscuits , ice cream , sorbet and croissants. We experienced some new ways of working in laboratory that were slightly different from our country.
Alongwith we attended microbiology practicals and some English classes. in English classes we got a chance to communicate with the French students and they prepared a lots of questions for us to know about India. This was really an interactive session for us as well as for them.

During the weekends we visited French families in order to explore the lifestyle of different families. We had some cooking exchanges in which we prepared some Indian food for them, they enjoyed a lot and we played some board game for the purpose of recreation.

• They also took us to the famous places near Chartres. We visited to the Notre- Dame cathedral which is one of the most beautiful church with intricate architecture, stained glass windows and sculptures. Its beauty is very remarkable.

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• On the other weekend , we visited PARIS - the city of Lights. There we visited the Eiffel tower. The view from its top was mesmerising. Then we visited Paris by a cruise on the river Seine and saw some beautiful places like cathedral Notre Dame , Champs Elysees, Louvre , Galeries Lafayette etc.

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• After spending two weeks at Chartres we had to depart to another institute Lycee Agricole de Sees. There we were welcomed by the director of the institute and some teachers. We had a lunch with them. After this they showed us the laboratories , farms with cows and horses and the cider making hall.

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• We visited the agriculture machinery hall and then they shwed us the processing of apple cider and apple juice.We also had an interaction with the school cook in which he showed us the areas in kitchen for various purposes.

We visited the other part of school to know about the dogs who worked for handicapped persons and we had a visit of small and beautiful village St. Ceneri and Alencon. in Alencon we visited the cathedral , mediatheque and lace museum. We also had a visit to snail farms.

We also had a session on horse riding in which we learned some basics of horse riding.

We had a coooking exchange on the evenings with the students in their flats. Their we exchanged many experiences of French and Indian tastes.

On the weekends, we visited to La Manche (The English Channel) , Chateau of Carrouges , Chateau of Caen and St. MOnt Michel

On the last day there was a special day i.e. spring of transitions in which we gave a presentation on sustainable development. In the evening we had a valedictory session with the assistant head , professors and the students.

Though there were many difficulties in adapting to entirely new culture and food but it was the best experience and it helped us in developing many soft skills like we learned to be adaptable in new situations, we developed our communication and social skills. Interacting with different people and talking to them made us confident .
Merci Beaucoup!!