Mitsuho Iida: My Experiences in Deauville

Mitsuho Iida participated in the 2014 Deauville Student Exchange. Her family is Japanese, so this exchange presented a unique experience for both families to share three different cultures: Japanese, French and American.

My Experiences in Deauville, France

My connection with the Lexington-Deauville Sister Cities program is an interesting study in the power of networking. My family and I are close friends with Steve and Cathy Nohe. Over the years that we lived in Lexington, we met and entertained a number of the French interns who lived with Cathy and Steve. They often came to our house to learn how to make sushi. (My family and I are Japanese; we lived in Lexington for six years while my father worked for Toyota.) We even took one of those interns, Cassandre Wilkowsky, with us when we went to Quebec.

During the summer Cathy discovered that Cassandre’s sister, Salomé, had expressed an interest in participating in the high school exchange program. Cathy asked the Wilkowskys and us if we’d like to be an exchange pair. Since Cassandre and my family already knew each other, it was a very comfortable situation. Salomé was also interested in learning more about Japanese culture as well as American culture. Both of us applied to the program and went successfully through the interviews.

The Wilkowsky family was very welcoming and took me to many places during my three weeks there, including Paris. Seeing the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, and all the views of Champs-Élysées was very exciting, and I have lots of great pictures from the trip. I still remember Salomé teaching me how to sing the song Les Champs-Élysées. She gave me a tiny music box of Les Champs-Élysées at the end of the trip. I also enjoyed the food very much, especially French cheese, macarons, and cornichons. As you can imagine, we Japanese also share a love of fresh fish with the people of Normandy. I did learn a lot of French language and culture, and I plan to take French this year in college to continue my progress.

Here in Lexington we showed Salomé many things around Lexington, and we also took a trip to New York City and Washington D.C. I think she enjoyed seeing this major U.S. city very much. Salomé speaks English very well, and she also learned a few things in Japanese. We taught her how to make sushi, too.

Salomé and I stay in touch occasionally via Facebook and Instagram even though our schedules are very busy. I believe we both benefited form our summer exchange, and I encourage all Lexingtonians to take advantage of this fun, educational, and reasonably priced way of learning more about another country. Now I am back in Japan for college, and am planning to study abroad in France. It is exciting to know that we have home in three different countries!

(Salomé・Mitsuho)

Matthew Peavler: My Experience in Villers-sur-mer

Matthew Peavler participated in the 2017 Deauville Internship Program, where he worked for 2 months at the Paleospace Museum in Villers-sur-mer.  

My Experience in Villers-sur-mer

I have been studying French for six years, but I had never left the United States before my internship in Villers. My internship, unlike most, was not in Deauville, but instead in the adjacent, smaller town of Villers-sur-Mer.

Going in, I did not have a good idea of what to expect. I knew that I would be interning at the Paleospace museum, and I knew that I would be the only American there. I knew I would be living at a house with other seasonal workers, lifeguards and the like. Past all this, I did not know what to expect, and even though I was excited to come to France, the whole thing was very daunting. On my way over, I was asking myself if I was ready to be so totally immersed in French. 

When I arrived at the museum, tired from my flight, it was very difficult for me to understand anyone speaking to me, and when they talked to each other it was impossible. While this difficulty was disheartening, it did not last very long. After my first week, I was hanging out with my housemates every night for dinner and having conversations with my coworkers. The immersion in the language that this placement gave me allowed my French skills to grow faster than they ever have before and I still find myself caught off guard when I can smoothly hold a conversation with someone for long periods of time.

Not only did I get to improve my French, I also got to experience Normandy by travelling around on my days off and wandering around Villers on other days off. Notable places I visited include Honfleur, Mont St. Michel, Deauville, Caen, and the American Cemetery at Omaha Beach. Normandy has such a wealth of history that there’s a practically endless amount of things to do in the region.

My time in Villers-sur-Mer improved my French skills, exposed me to foreign culture, and allowed me to experience the history of Normandy.

Le Pays d'Auge - Betty Mills

Quentin Paille contributed an article to Le Pays d'Auge.  He interviewed Deauville Committee Chair Betty Mills while visiting Lexington about the upcoming 60th Anniversary celebrations.

Paul Trinchero: An Unforgettable Experience in Lexington

Paul Trinchero participated in an internship from September 1997 through December 1998.  He worked at the Marriott Griffin Gate.  Since 2000, he has worked as a concierge at the Hotel Raphael - a 5 star hotel in the heart of Paris.  

Unforgettable Experience in Lexington

Je me rappelle en cette fin septembre, début octobre 1997 partir pour un lieu inconnu « Lexington ».

Il avait été facile d’accepter cette proposition, mais j’ai bien déchanté une fois  arrivé là-bas car mon niveau d’anglais était vraiment très faible.

Il y a eu certains soirs un peu difficiles mais qui ont été vite effacés par l’accueil, la gentillesse et la disponibilité des personnes.

J’ai été hébergé les premiers mois par la famille Timoney avec qui je suis toujours en contact. C’est pour moi une seconde famille.

L’accueil à Lexington a vraiment été formidable, ce qui m’a permis une intégration au sein de l’hôtel Marriott Griffin Gate assez rapide.

Je quittais l’hôtellerie française pour l’hôtellerie américaine.

Leurs méthodes de travail étaient bien différentes des nôtres ce qui nous a permis d’échanger et de progresser ensemble.

D’ailleurs, ils m’ont fait assez vite confiance ce qui m’a ouvert d’autres opportunités au sein de l’hôtel, chose qui aurait été improbable au sein d’un hôtel en France sans avoir l’expérience du poste.

Je suis revenu bilingue et j’occupe à ce jour un poste de concierge dans un petit palace Parisien et ce grâce à mon séjour à Lexington.

J’ai vécu une expérience INOUBLIABLE tant sur le plan professionnel que personnel .

J’en profite pour remercier toutes les personnes impliquées dans ces échanges.

English: 

I remember a late September and early October 1997departure for an unknow place called « Lexington ».

It had been easy to accept this proposal, but I was very really disappointed to arrive there because my level of English was really weak.

There were some evenings a bit difficult but were quickly erased by the welcome, friendliness and helpfulness of the people.

I was lodged the first few months by the Timoney family with whom I’m still in contact. This is for me my second family.

The welcome in Lexington was really great, which allowed me to integrate into the Marriott Griffin Gate quite quickly.

I left the French hotel industry for the American hotel industry.

Their work methods were very different from ours, which enabled us to exchange and progress together.

Besides, they made me feel pretty confident which opened up other opportunities within the hotel, something that would have been unlikely in a hotel in France without the experience of the workplace.

I returned bilingual and I work to this day as a concierge in small Parisian palace, thanks to my stay in Lexington.

I experienced an UNFORGETTABLE experience both professionally an personally.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved in these exchanges.

HorseMania 2010

In 2010, the city of Lexington and LexArts held a second edition special art event called HorseMania.  Previously held in 2000, the city decided to hold it again for the upcoming Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games the city was hosting that year.

The exhibit of the 84 Fiberglass horses lasted from July through November, including throughout the World Equestrian Games from September 26 - October 10.  Horses were arranged throughout downtown Lexington.  All four Sister Cities horses were displayed in Dudley Square and sponsored by Balatro Gallery.

Each city selected a design from an artist in their town that reflected their culture.  The artists were flown to Lexington and given studio space to create their HorseMania entry.

Karl Lagasse was selected as the artist from Deauville.  He has sold his artwork all over the world, including in France, London, Hong Kong and New York.  Mr. Lagasse's theme for his horse was "Normandy", the region in which Deauville is located.

His design included covering the horse with gold leaf to represent the prosperity that the horse industry has brought to Deauville.  The horse's other element is the Normandy flag.

Receptions and tours were held and planned by Lexington Sister Cities during Mr. Lagasse's stay.

His stay overlapped with the artist from Newmarket, Paula Wilson.

Proceeds from the auctioning of "Normandy" benefitted Lexington Sister Cities and the Kentucky Ballet Theatre.

Liza Kavanagh was the artist from County Kildare.  Her horse was called "Foluil".

Yoshihiro Hosokawa was the artist from Shinhidaka.  His horse was named "Nihon no Haru" which means "spring in Japan".

Paula Wilson was the artist from Newmarket.  Her horse was titled "Me and My Gal".

Pat Lawrence of Lexington created a horse depicting all of Lexington's Sister Cities.  The horse was aptly named "Sister Cities".

On December 3rd, 2010, the horses were auctioned off and the proceeds benefited the charities associated with each horse.  

History of Twinning: Part 12

University Scholarship Exchange

In 1976, Deauville Committee Chair Betty Mills realized the need for scholarship opportunities for students from France to study at University of Kentucky, as well as students from UK to have the ability to study abroad in France.  The twinning relationship with Deauville sparked an obvious need for an exchange to take place between the University of Kentucky and the University of Caen in Normandy.

In 1977, scholarships were established for two students from Deauville to study at the University of Kentucky.  Philippe Romano and Pascal Rollet were the first recipients of the scholarships.

The University of Kentucky accepts up to 2 students each year from Deauville to study for the entire school year.

The recipient of the 2017-2018 scholarship to study at the University of Kentucky is Clemence Toulouse.

In 1977-1978, a scholarship to the University of Caen was created by the Deauville Jumelage (Twinning Committee).

One student from the University of Kentucky is selected to receive the Fall semester scholarship, and one is selected for the Spring semester scholarship.

The Fall 2017 student is Olivia Steddom.

The Spring 2018 student is Rachel Hampton.

Since the beginning of this programs, over a hundred students have benefited from the opportunity to study abroad through the Sister Cities Program.  

Applications for University of Kentucky students to apply for the Deauville-Caen Scholarship Program will be available in September on the Lexington Sister Cities website.

Carole Jouet: My USA Experience

Carole Jouet participated in the Lexington Internship Program in the summer of 2014.  She interned at Transylvania University in the Accounting Department and lived with Cathy & Steve Nohe.  

Voyager, c’est grandir

En 2014, alors que je terminais mon année de Master 1 Banque Finance, j’ai souhaité mettre à profit la trêve estivale pour effectuer une première expérience professionnelle à l’étranger.

Dans les couloirs de la fac, je suis tombée sur une annonce du Conseil Général du Calvados qui offrait l’opportunité à 5 étudiants d’effectuer un stage en entreprise à Lexington entre mai et septembre. Je ne connaissais absolument pas le Kentucky, mais j’ai tout de suite candidaté car l’idée d’une immersion complète au pays de l’oncle Sam me passionnait. C’était une destination dont je rêvais depuis plusieurs années.

Avec ma famille d’accueil à l’occasion du « Patriotic Music Concert » donné le soir du 3 juillet

à la Transylvania University

La responsable du programme ainsi que les interlocuteurs locaux (Kay et Sarah) m’ont trouvé un stage qui correspondait à mon domaine d’études au service comptabilité de la Transylvania University à Lexington. Tous mes collègues ont été bienveillants, toujours prêts à aider et très chaleureux.

Durant la pause déjeuner, à la découverte des restaurants de Lexington

J’ai également bénéficié d’un hébergement de première classe chez Cathy et Steve Nohe, un couple adorable qui a l’habitude de recevoir des étudiants étrangers.

Ils m’ont beaucoup appris sur l’histoire des Etats-Unis et m’ont donné de très bons conseils sur les visites à effectuer au Kentucky. Sans parler de la cuisine de Cathy… un délice !

Une parfaite Blueberry pie et le diner de Thanksgiving en plein été

A cette époque de l’année, Cathy et Steve hébergeaient également deux autres étudiantes françaises : Flora et Anastasia. J’ai passé de très bons moments avec elles, je me rappelle des visites dans la Bluegrass region avec les distilleries de bourbon, la découverte de l’hippodrome de Keenland, ou de la randonnée aux Red River Gorge. Il y a eu aussi les matchs de baseball (même si on ne comprenait pas les règles) ou bien encore notre séjour de 5 jours à New-York.

Cette expérience a été exceptionnelle et a mis à mal tous les stéréotypes qu’il peut y avoir concernant les Etats-Unis. J’ai rencontré de nombreuses personnes qui restent aujourd’hui de vrais amis et espère revoir prochainement. Un souvenir qui restera gravé dans ma mémoire.

Carole

Blair Barker: A Shared Family Experience

Blair Barker participated in a ballet exchange between the Lexington Ballet Company and L'Ecole de Danse in Deauville in 1995.  From her participation in the program, her parents, Kent & Dale Barker, became involved in the Lexington Sister Cities program.  They are both Lifetime Ambassadors and have made friends all over the world from their involvement.  

A Shared Family Experience

In 1995, Lexington and Deauville collaborated to have an exchange of ballet dancers from the Lexington Ballet Company in Lexington and the L'Ecole de Danse in Deauville.  Eighteen dancers participated, as well as instructors from each ballet company.

Blair Barker was one of those students from Lexington that participated.  She never realized that this experience with Lexington Sister Cities would not only influence her international and cultural understanding, but also influence her parents.

The exchange in 1995 started with the Deauville dancers traveling to Lexington.  Nine dancers from Lexington participated: Ellie Galbreath, Courtney Gleason, Jennifer Hummer, Peyton Bradley, Sarah Downs, Claudia MacPherson, Emily Conelly, Shannon Shipley and Blair Barker.

Lu Ann Pelle was the director of the Lexington Ballet Company and Sophie Willaume was the director of L'Ecole de Danse.

Blair remembers a lot of rehearsals, social events, sightseeing, and participating in the Fourth of July activities in Lexington.

Both ballet companies performed a recital together at the end of the trip, which was held at ArtsPlace.

After the experience in Lexington of hosting the French dancers, the Lexington students were able to travel to Deauville to spend three weeks taking ballet classes, touring the area, and even meeting the Mayor of Deauville.

Today, Blair says, "For most of us, it was our first exposure to any international experience, so it was great to do it through ballet."

When asked how this experience influenced her cultural understanding, Blair says:

"It gave me perspective as a young high school student on life outside of Lexington and the US.  It started my interest in overall international experiences.  When I graduated from college, I moved to London, England for a 6 month program.  I then moved to Sydney, Australia and worked for over a year.  The Deauville experience gave me the travel bug.  It gave me that passion for learning about other cultures, and I continued that beyond college."  

When Blair traveled to Deauville, she stayed with Andre and Genevieve Lioult.  She had no idea that eventually her parents would form a friendship with Andre and Genevieve that would continue for many years.

Blair's dad, Kent (front left) and mom, Dale (front right) with Andre (next to Dale) in 2014 in Deauville.

On her parent's participation, stemming from her experience:

"My participation as a high school student was their [my parents] first introduction to the [Sister Cities] program.  They've grown as individuals, and have gained experiences through Sister Cities that other people would not have.  Meeting with mayors, community members, going to special events are all things that a typical traveler would not be able to experience.  All in all, they have made life-long friends, both with other travelers from Lexington and in our Sister Cities.  I've never met some of them, but they sent me wedding gifts!  They are still in contact with the family I stayed with in the 90s (Lioults).  It is a big testament to the program and the relationships it can build."

Her father, Kent, weighs in on the experience as well:

"Our daughter Blair's Sister Cities exchange with France was not only the start of a rewarding experience for her, but also the beginning of an ongoing involvement for my wife Dale and myself. After her trip we had the opportunity to meet and host her French host family (the Lioults) when they came to Lexington with the adult delegation. This relationship continues today with ongoing communications and get togethers. Several years later, we joined the Sister Cities program and began to travel each year on their annual trip to each of our 4 Sister Cities. We eventually became Lifetime Ambassadors in the program and participate on committees that involve planning, organizing, hosting, fundraising, and many other activities including our student exchange programs.  All trips have proven a very rewarding personal experience beyond "just a vacation". Over the last 15 + years, we have visited each city at least 4-5 times or more. Many long-term experiences and personal relationships have been formed within each of these cities as well as within our own Lexington delegations."

Andre (left) and Dale Barker in Deauville during a trip in 2014, nearly 20 years after Blair first went to Deauville.

Blair has some advice for anyone interested in participating in a program - whether you are a student or an adult:

"Just make the decision and go.  That's the first step - taking that leap of faith that's quite scary.  Just sign up and go.  I can honestly say I grew as a person from these experiences.  Most of that was after college, but the whole international experience gives young individuals independence, perspective on this big world, other cultures and really enables you to dive into the culture that you can't do being just a regular traveler.  When you do this program, or participate in trips, living in those towns [our Sister Cities] really exposes you to the culture instead of just seeing hot spots from a travel guide."

Anastasia Dekeyser: My American Experience

Anastasia Dekeyser participated in an internship in Lexington during the summer of 2014.  She worked at the University of Kentucky International Center in the Marketing and Communications department.  

My American Experience

Hi, I’m Anastasia a French student. Due to my studies, I made a decision for an internship. I wanted to go in USA because I wanted to have my American Dream and it was a real opportunity for me to improve my English and to live as an American. 

My American life began with many problems at the American border.  I forgot in France my important papers.  I told this memory to my friend they are so surprised and said to me poor Anastasia; but for me it was the beginning of an unforgettable American life.

I lived with Cathy and Steve Nohe who were both so sympathetic, nice, funny and generous. Thanks to them, I discovered the American life and atmosphere.

Steve, Cathy, Flora, Carole and I at the Patriotic Concert. 

One of my favorite memories was a dinner: Cathy cooked a very big turkey in order to initiate us to the Thanksgiving atmosphere... in July. This feeling of sharing, laughing was very impressive and interesting. There were lots of communities at this dinner: Japanese, American, French... a real melting pot!

So many sauces to choose from!

Learning to make sushi from Cathy's friend Miho.  

Another memory was our first American fast food.  I think I have never seen a big onion rings as this day.

The last important memory (even though I have lot of things to tell) was the 4th of July.  In America it looks like as our 14th July in France [Bastille Day]... so patriotic and festive.

Our lifestyle was very cool without stress in Lexington.  Cathy and Steve would drop off their 3 French students to their internship and pick up us to the house where we chill to the swimming pool or in a garden. 

We also discovered the Bourbon industry and Red River Gorge. 

I worked with Sarah Martin in the Sister Cities Million Dollar Hole in One Golf Competition. 

Regarding the internship, it was in the marketing department at the University of Kentucky.  It was interesting to promote and communicate about the life in the American campus.  I made leaflets, posted on social media, and it was in requirements with my French studies! And I would like to add that I made a new friend during my internship: Flora.  I visited her in Marseille where she lives now.  While she was in Lexington, she worked at Bluegrass Baking Company. 

I have lot of memories in America and as soon as I can I will go back there.

Thank you so much American people who are so nice: Mrs and Mr Nohe, my American parents, and thank you Lexington Sister Cities for this opportunity!