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- Middle School
- Exploration
France & HollandA Taste of Europe
Travel to France and Holland on this adventurous student travel program for middle school students. Experience the sky-scraping Alps and the dazzle of Paris, the bucolic Dutch countryside and the charming canals of Amsterdam. This summer, go abroad to hike, bike, and explore the most beautiful landscapes and cities of northwestern Europe, and savor its rich heritage.
Details
Highlights
- Ride a téléphérique high above Alpine peaks and glaciers
- Bike through Holland’s picturesque countryside
- Listen to jazz on the Île Saint-Louis in the heart of Paris
- Discover van Gogh’s favorite haunts in Amsterdam
Itinerary
This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.
- Departure
- Travel Day
Meet your fellow middle school student travelers and one of your leaders in New York, and fly together to Geneva, Switzerland. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here
- Argentière
- 4 days
Stay in a mountain chalet opposite Mont Blanc in a small village above Chamonix. Hike above glaciers through wildflower fields with panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, and enjoy an in-depth orientation to get to know your group leaders and fellow students.
- Paris
- 4 days
Travel by train to Paris and soak up Parisian life, from its music and cafés to museums and monuments. Explore the neighborhoods of the Left Bank, Île de la Cité, and Montmartre, and visit renowned sites such as Notre Dame Cathedral and the Louvre. Taste escargots at grand Art Deco brasseries once frequented by Picasso and Sartre, and cruise down the Seine River to see the city illuminated at night.
- Biking in Holland
- 4 days
Head out on a four-day bicycle trip along rural bike paths, through sand dunes, and past windmills and Dutch farms. Along the way, stop to swim at beaches on the North Sea, sail or windsurf on inland lakes, and visit the towns of Noordwijk, Haarlem, Egmond, and Heemskerk.
- Amsterdam
- 3 days
Relax after your bike trip and explore Amsterdam’s busy canals and cobblestone streets. Visit Anne Frank’s house and admire paintings by Rembrandt and van Gogh at the Rijksmuseum.
- Departure
- Travel Day
Fly with your group and a leader from Amsterdam to New York, then continue on to your final destination. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
A Day in the Life: Argentiere
- Due to the traveling nature of this summer program abroad, each day is different. Here is a snapshot of a day in Argentière.
- Enjoy breakfast at a local boulangerie
- Hop a local train to descend to the Valley of Chamonix
- Ride one of the longest cable-car ascents in the world to the Aiguille du Midi
- Enjoy a picnic lunch surrounded by panoramic views of alpine peaks and glaciers
- Hike to an ice cave and discover unique ice sculptures hidden in the mountains
- Stop at a local café to rest and enjoy some ice cream
- Hop on the train and travel back to Argentière
- Share dinner at your group’s cozy mountain chalet
- Meet as a group to discuss the day and upcoming schedule
What to Expect
- Independent Project
Pursue an independent project and explore an aspect of local culture of particular interest to you—make cheese with a local French farmer, learn a traditional Dutch song, or interview people from both countries about their views on the future of Europe.
- Physical Activity
This is a physically active summer program. You can expect to participate in activities such as hiking, biking, swimming, and walking. You do not need to be at peak fitness to participate, but it is important that you have a desire to be physically active, and that you are excited about trying all activities and spending time outside.
- Accommodations
Our residences in France and Holland are varied, ranging from comfortable, Old World-style hotels to a simple, dormitory-style mountain chalet. Residences are run by wonderful families or individuals who help set the tone for our experience and introduce us to local people. Rooms are a mix of doubles, triples, and quads with ensuite bathrooms. Leaders reside in the same accommodations as students throughout the program.
- Meals
We begin each day with a traditional French or Dutch breakfast at our residence. For lunches and dinners, we find small restaurants or hit the markets to purchase food for a picnic.
Next Steps
This program is directed by Katie Bourque. If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!Similar Programs
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Audrey Calandra University of Virginia, Ph.D., New World Studies (in progress); University of Colorado, Boulder, M.A., French; University of California, Los Angeles, B.A., French and Francophone Studies
Originally from Oakland, California, Audrey grew up speaking French at École Bilingue in Berkeley. She attended UCLA, where she received her undergraduate degree in French and francophone studies. After completing her degree she spent an academic year teaching English to elementary students in Nantes, France, through the Teaching Assistant Program in France (TAPIF). She then went on to receive her master’s degree from the French department at the University of Colorado, Boulder, where she had the opportunity to teach four different undergraduate-level courses, including hybrid and online courses. Her research interests include 19th century French literature, as well as francophone and Caribbean literatures and cultures from the 20th and 21st century with a focus on Haiti.
Jordan Ricker Franklin University Switzerland, M.S., International Management; Franklin University Switzerland, B.A., History
After high school, Jordan spent a gap year in Senegal teaching English and IT at a local vocational school while living with a host family. When he got to college, he helped create a 3+1 program and earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in four years from Franklin University Switzerland, a hybrid Swiss-American school in southern Switzerland. At Franklin, Jordan worked remotely to advise high school students interested in taking a gap year while traveling extensively throughout Europe. Between his academic years, Jordan spent time in a social innovation program in rural Rwanda and interned at a recycling company in Nigeria. He has been to over 35 countries and worked professionally in Ghana and South Africa. Jordan is fluent in French, proficient in Italian and Wolof, and has led Putney’s Switzerland, Italy, France, & Holland program.
Katie Bourque
University of Vermont, B.A., French & Anthropology
A lifelong Vermonter, Katie’s love of travel and language learning began in middle school, when she was introduced to a French pen pal. This connection led to summer exchanges throughout high school, showing her new French friends around Vermont and exploring France with their family. While studying French and anthropology at the University of Vermont, she spent a summer working at a camp in Switzerland and a semester abroad in Grenoble, France; following the completion of her studies, she spent a year in Besançon, France, working as an English language teaching assistant at a local high school. Katie has led and currently directs Putney programs in Switzerland, France, Holland, and Italy. In her free time, she enjoys skiing, mountain biking, and reading a good book.
