Marist Students Travel Abroad in Exchange Program

Over spring break, our RedHawks from Marist Chicago traveled to Italy and France in exchanges with Marist schools in both countries! The Italian language students visited Rome and the French language students visited Lyon. Over the course of the ten days, the groups stayed with host families in each country, immersed themselves in the cultures and explored the cities. We are so grateful for our worldwide Marist community! While our students were able to explore the cities, the most special part of the trips are staying with the host families and learning from them. Read on to hear about each trip!

France 2025

After landing in Lyon, France, the RedHawks headed to Sainte Marie Lyon-Meyzieu, the Marist school there in Lyon where they toured and spent time before meeting their host families. Some highlights in Lyon were:

Fourvière Basilica
St Jean Cathedral
Confluence district
French cooking class

Along with exploring Lyon, students traveled to Paris for 2 nights! Some highlights in Paris include:

Notre Dame
Place des Vosges
The Louvre
Arc de Triomphe

“While reflecting on our trip to France, I realized more and more that this trip was truly transformative. This trip forced me to dive headfirst into French life and culture. I was able to experience French cuisine, meet the local people and experience their ways of life, and also gained a deeper understanding of the French language by picking up on things that can’t be taught in a classroom – things that you just have to experience for yourself. During the trip, I was also astonished by the magnificent architecture and historical sites that we visited. Iconic landmarks like the Sacré-Cœur, The Ancient Theatre of Fourvière, and the Louvre left me in awe with their grandeur and historical significance. Although initially I was skeptical about the trip, the incredible culture, delicious food, and the opportunity to form lifelong friendships made it one of the most memorable moments of my life. I cannot thank the two schools that made this trip possible, the welcoming host families, and the committed and hardworking teachers enough for organizing and supporting this unforgettable experience.” -Robert Shepard ’25

Over the course of the trip, our RedHawks immersed themselves in the French culture, shadowing their host student at school and staying with their host family. Many of the French students from Sainte Marie Lyon – Meyzieu will be heading to Chicago at the end of April to experience life as a student at Marist Chicago!

“This trip was amazing and I learned so much about French culture and got to practice my French outside of the classroom! I really enjoyed the streets of Lyon and Paris and am so very thankful for this amazing opportunity. This trip mixed fun and learning together, like visiting the Louvre. It was so stunning and I saw some paintings that took my breath away. Along with the many adventures we had, I was able to meet amazing people as well!” -Yazmin Carrasco ’25

Italy 2025

The RedHawks landed in Rome and immediately headed to San Leone Magno (SLM) in Rome to greet their host families. This welcome was a reunion for many of the students as our students at Marist Chicago hosted the Italian students back in September.

They spent most of their time in Rome, along with incorporating day trips to Florence and Naples. In the Naples area they were lucky enough to meet with another Marist school, Giugliano Marist High School, which is located just outside of Naples!

“I went on the exchange trip to Italy this spring break and it was amazing. The family I stayed with was so welcoming and accommodating. We got to learn about a lot of the history and architecture in Rome and Florence which was really interesting. We did so much shopping which was probably my favorite part especially the leather market in Florence.” – Brooke Conlan ’25

Some highlights of their trip were:

Saint Peter’s Basilica
St Angelo Bridge
Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
Colosseum
Roman Forum
Pantheon
Trevi Fountain
Spanish Steps

“I went to Italy this spring break, it was one of the best trips I’ve gone on. I tried lots of new foods and saw many new exciting places. The best food I had when there was carbonara pasta. The best sight I saw was the treni fountain and colosseum. I went with my friends at night and it was beautiful. I enjoyed my time there with my classmates, it was an amazing experience that I will never forget.” – Liliana Ramirez ’25