This year, Madame Meyer’s grade 6 French students began to participate in an exchange linguistic program with the Vauban school of Belfort, near Besançon (Charlottesville’s sister city). The Vauban school opened a pilot International/American section this year in grade 6 and contacted Peabody for a partnership. On October 15, Benoit Didier, social studies teacher and project  leader, and Severine Fremy, liaison between Charlottesville and Besancon schools, visited Peabody and met all our wonderful students in middle school. On that day, grade 6 students also connected for the first time via skype with the grade 6 French group. The bonding was immediate and magical. The students presented their respective schools, briefly introduced themselves, and ended the skype conference with dances moves! Then, our Peabody students participated in a conference with Mr Didier, in which they were able to ask him questions and know him better. This project is exciting for our world language department. It is a marvelous opportunity for our students to benefit from authentic communication and cultural connections.  It will perhaps also create friendships beyond borders!