In 2019, LT student Genevieve Koppel ’26 walked into her first French classroom in seventh grade at Gurrie Middle School. Four years later, Koppel hadn’t the faintest idea that her choice to study the French language would lead her to attend a semester abroad in Toulouse, France, during her sophomore year that would forever change her perspective on life. 

“Before leaving for the program I was super excited even though I didn’t know anyone else because of all the opportunities studying abroad offered,” Koppel said. “Toulouse has a special place in my heart, giving me memories of new friends from different places that I will forever cherish, and it made me the person I am today.”

Initially, Koppel studied the French language due to her interest in visiting the country and wanting to learn how to effectively communicate with native speakers to be more immersed in the culture. In her freshman year, Koppel decided to advance her French education and, during registration for sophomore classes, brought up studying abroad to her class of 2026 counselor, Jane Bauer. Studying abroad was already a frequent topic in Koppel’s household, and her parents had begun researching the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) as a potential program for their daughter. 

“Students interested in studying abroad find junior and senior year to be stressful times to take a leave of absence due to all the junior year testing, college visits, and academic rigor of courses,” Bauer said. “Koppel’s choice to study abroad sophomore year was convenient for the school schedule in having primarily semester based courses such as English, Health, and social studies that she could complete in the first half of the year.”

CIEE High School Semester Abroad programs give the opportunity to live as a local student in one of the eight locations offered for a duration of three months to an academic year, Koppel said. In order to enroll, a student must have at least two years of their language, be between 15 and 17 years old, submit teacher recommendations and grades, and write a series of application essays. 

“The CIEE program involved taking a flight to New York to meet with the other ten students, where we then flew to Toulouse for a one week orientation,” Koppel said. “After that week, we went to live with our host families for the next five months.”

Upon news of her acceptance, Bauer loaded Koppel’s first semester sophomore year with the LT required credit courses in the instance that her credits in France didn’t transfer. Additionally, Koppel had to take driver’s education privately and enroll in Consumer Economics as a summer course going into her junior year. 

Instead of finishing LT with 28 credits like most other students, Koppel will be able to graduate with 24, which still meets LT credit requirements, Bauer said. 

Prior to living with her host family, Koppel was taught how to behave culturally and what the program students would expect or need to know about their new environment at orientation. Koppel’s next five months consisted of attending a fully French school called Lycee Lyon Blum. and living with the Duguet family.

“I felt very much at home with my hosts, who became a second family to me,” Koppel said. “We would go to my host brother’s rugby games or a Toulousain soccer game together and spend days going to the beach, taking hikes, watching movies, or sometimes had day trips.”

In order to keep in touch with family and friends, Koppel would frequently call or text on the weekends but had some difficulty with the seven hour time difference between the two countries. However, when choosing to enter the program unaccompanied, Koppel said she was able to become more independent and gain self-confidence which helped her grow on a personal level. 

Students interested in attending a study abroad program during high school not affiliated with LT should reach out to their counselors early on like Koppel did, Bauer said. Despite what many might think, at least two to three students per counselor in a grade level participate in a study abroad program such as American Legion.

“To anyone interested in studying abroad, I would 100% tell them to go for it and not hold back,” Koppel said. “Nobody ever knows what they will like or dislike until they act. Don’t hesitate on opportunities because you never want to dwell on the ‘what ifs’ later when you can live in the now.”