‘Au revoir’ equals big OE for Nikita | Taranaki News | Local News in Taranaki

STRATFORD High School’s Nikita Ridgway is grinning from ear to ear, knowing that in less than a fortnight, she’s off to Europe on a 11-month student exchange.

As part of the AFS Student Exchange programme, the 16-year-old, Year 12 student from Stratford is heading to France for 11 months of life and study with a host family.

"I really can’t wait," said Nikita, "I’m looking forward to learning all about different food, different culture and things like how to handle myself living with a new family; the differences of everyday life in France."

Nikita will be based in the town of Fougeres, around 2½ hours northwest of Paris.

"The family seems really lovely – and really adventurous too. Apparently, they like diving and hiking, so I think I’ll be having more than a few fun days out with them."

Nikita will be expected to work hard, and is set to get stuck into her studies not long after arriving.

"The French school year starts in September, and each school day runs from 8am-5pm, with half-days on Wednesdays and Saturdays."

Nikita had never thought seriously about student exchange until August 2008, when an AFS representative came to Stratford High and spoke to a group of students about it. Finding the whole idea intriguing, she decided to lodge an application and was fortunate enough to get an interview in September.

"My initial choice was the United States. However, a past exchange student advised me that it would be much better to go to a place where I could learn a foreign language. I knew a little French and, the more I thought about it, the more appealing a French-speaking country looked."

While AFS was responsible for the organisation and arrangement of students and host families, costs associated with the exchange needed to be met by Nikita’s family: an exchange like this costs $12,500.

It was fortunate that around the same time that Nikita found out about acceptance onto the programme, she also found out she’d received an $8000 grant from Fletcher Building to help with the costs.

"I also received funding from the TSB Community Trust and the TET, which gave me another $1000. We ran a sausage sizzle for part of the rest and Mum and Dad helped out with what was left."

Nikita has appreciated the constant support from her Mum and Dad.

"I’m really going to miss my family and friends, and I’m going to miss Stratford too – the atmosphere, and the mountain."

"I arrive in Paris and will be spending three days there before heading to Fougeres. I know the trip is all about study and being immersed in the culture, but I’m looking forward to being able to hop on a train and head to cities all over Europe when I can; it’s going to be awesome," said Nikita.