European experience
Grade 9 student Zoie Tompkins embarks on six-month exchange to France
Zoie Tompkins knew when she was in Grade 1 her goal was to go to Paris.
Now 14 years old and in Grade 9 at Queen Charlotte Intermediate School in Charlottetown, her wish is about to come true.
Starting today, she’ll spend six months immersed in the language and culture of France in the town of Saint-Thegonnec, as part of an exchange organized by En Famille International. She found the program online last summer while searching for exchanges to Europe.
In France, she will be reunited with Luna Dirou, who already spent six months in Canada with the Tompkins family.
Zoie’s mom, DawnMarie, rearranged the household, so the girls could have side-by-side bedrooms.
“It was like having a sleepover with a friend for, like, a long amount of time,” said Zoie.
Luna, at 16, is two years older than Zoie, which meant she attended a different school during her time in P.E.I. In France, the girls will attend the same school, Saint Anne College in Brest, which is on the coast in northwest France, five hours by train to Paris. Luna has friends there and the family goes to the City of Light celebration at Christmas to shop for presents.
Back home, the Tompkins family is bracing for change.
Younger brother Creegan will miss his big sister’s presence during his first year at Queen Charlotte.
“She always was, like, there for me,” he said. “She didn’t enjoy going to hockey games, but she was always proud of me.”
“I just know it’ll be hard on her,” said dad, Dave Tompkins, gesturing to his wife.
“I’m not worried. I’m not. But . . .” DawnMarie draws a big heart shape on her chest as she searches for words.
The family chimes in to reassure her.
Zoie’s goal is to experience a new culture and improve her French. Her marks from France will be transferred to her school here. While school is important, her mom is focused on Zoie’s experience.
“There’s a flame inside her heart that’s burning.”