Eleanor Kirkpatrick Franco-American Fellows Program
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long has the Fellows program been in existence?
A: The Eleanor Kirkpatrick Franco-American Fellows exchange program began in 2009
Q: What is the timeline for the Fellows selection and travel?
A: Important Dates:
September 15, 2025: Fellows and Adult Sponsor Applications available
October 20, 2025: Fellows and Adult Sponsor Applications Deadline
Q: Where in France will the students be staying?
A: Students will be in Hauts-de-France Region, north of Paris. The Oklahoma State Department of Education has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Academie d’Amiens and we will be attending a school within their jurisdiction.
Q: Will students be staying with host families or in a hotel?
A: Students will be staying with host families.
Q: What if a student has an illness?
A: In the event of illness, the host family, host teacher and chaperone will work together to ensure the student receives appropriate medical attention and care.
Q: Is it possible for a parent to pay for their own airfare and hotel and have their child stay with them at the hotel and the student attend the French school and any Alliance Française activities?
A: It is not accepted for a Fellow to stay in a hotel with a parent. It defeats our cultural mission of living with a family and experiencing family life in France.
Q: How many days will our students attend a school in France and will all the Alliance Française students attend the same school together?
A: Students will attend school for ten days, however, 2-3 days will be field trips, such as to visit Paris, via train. All the Fellows will attend the same school.
Q: When students are not attending the French school, what is their itinerary?
A: When the Fellows are not at school, they will be with their host family. School ends between 5 and 6 pm, after which they will go home with their host. Weekends will be spent with their host family. Often, host families will plan weekend day trips with their Fellow.
Q: Are students able to attend for the week of Spring Break and return to OKC on March 20?
A: Unfortunately no, as is best practice, this program is designed as a two-week experience.