Under the Monocle: Amandine Ferrand
For 18-year-old Amandine Ferrand, her last year of high school has been wildly different from her friends’ back at home. Through ASSE, the American Scandinavian Student Exchange, Amandine was able to travel to Elmhurst from Paris, France and has gotten the opportunity to experience life at York.
Contrary to her school back in France, Amandine was simultaniously overwhelmed and thrilled with all the extracurriculars that York offered to her. Amandine made the decision to join cross country the minute she got to York, wasting no time to make friends.
“I think she fits in great,” said senior Megan McGreal. “She made a lot of friends very quickly by joining cross country and by putting herself out there.”
Amandine became close with McGreal because her aunt was Amandine’s host family. McGreal introduced Amandine to her group of friends, and they all quickly welcomed Amandine, introducing her to the ins and outs of York and Elmhurst.
Amandine Ferrand looking like a normal American teenage girl with her senior friends (from left to right) Emily Libert, Amy Bowles, and Carla Abreu at marathon in Chicago.
Experiencing Halloween for the first time in the states, Amandine Ferrand went as Rosie the Riveter while senior Liam Hill went as a stereotypical French guy.
In comparison to how teenagers in Elmhurst spend their time with their friends, Amandine has shown on her Instagram how Friday nights are wildly different in France. As a Parisian girl, Amandine has the Louvre, as well as many other locations we’d dream to visit, as her regular hang out spots.
Amandine being a tourist in her own city of Paris.
Not only did Amandine choose the year in which the Chicago Cubs made history, but she also has gotten to experience the brutal winters here.
“I have never experienced a winter like this; it’s freezing,” said Amandine. “Even when I ski back home it’s not this cold.”
A snap of the gorgeous views Amandine gets to see when she goes out skiing, a very important activity of hers.
Amandine is very grateful that everyone at York is welcoming and understanding of exchange students. She is especially thankful for her English teacher, Mrs. Noonan, who has pushed her to become a better English speaker.
“She is always making me try my hardest and my best in English,” said Amandine. “It makes me more confident about the foreign language and also makes me so glad that I took up this opportunity.”
Gabby Palomino is a senior at York, and this is her first year on the York-hi staff. After high school, she aspires to study fashion merchandising and...
