Quebec exchange for Bury College Language students

Date published: 23 October 2011

Bury College students Catherine Burke (17) and Chloe Vergine (17) have recently returned from an exciting five week exchange to Quebec to improve their language skills in preparation for the new college term. Catherine is studying A Level French, Spanish and Maths and Chloe is studying A Level French, IT and Geography.

Catherine, a former pupil of St. James’s Church of England School and Sports College, and Chloe, a former pupil of Cardinal Langley RC High School in Middleton, both stayed with host families during their time in Quebec and enjoyed time at the Centre d’Etudes Collégiales de Montmagny, where they studied subjects including French, Philosophy, Chinese and English. They also took part in a range of sports at the college, including spinning and hiking.

Catherine, from Bolton, said “The experience was unforgettable and really helped my listening and comprehension skills. The five weeks improved my communication and enabled me to see how the French Language is used in everyday life. It was also a great experience to travel alone and live with another family in different culture. It was much more Americanised than I’d expected. I can’t wait to show my exchange partner the English culture and how I live.”

Chloe, from Middleton, also enjoyed the exchange and the trips they took to Old Quebec, waterparks and going to evenings where she could eat traditional Quebec cuisine such as the cheese dish “poutin”. Chloe said, “It was good to get an understanding of a different culture. The French we learnt at Bury College gave us language skills for the trip, which was a brilliant opportunity.”

The students’ exchange partners will join them at Bury College next March. On completion of their courses Catherine and Chloe aim to progress to University to pursue degrees in Language.