Exchange student from the Riviera to Millbrook

MILLBROOK — Thomas Pichaud, Millbrook’s Rotary International exchange student this year, comes from one of the most beautiful little towns along the Mediterranean coast, eight miles southwest of Toulon, not so far from Italy and only three hours to skiing in the Alps. Imagine the backdrop from “To Catch a Thief� or “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.�

Thomas, who had to buy warm winter clothes, wanted to spend a year in the United States to improve his English, a necessity for the career in aerodynamic engineering he aspires to.

School is the easy adjustment for Thomas, but living in the country, the winter weather and eating dinner early are more difficult for the 17-year-old accustomed to balmy seaside temperatures, a lively resort town and dining at 8 or 9 p.m. Thomas lived with the Walenta family until the end of 2010 and will stay with two other families in Millbrook before the end of his stay this summer.

Thomas is taking senior core courses at Millbrook High School including calculus, ecology oceanography and psychology as well as sports and a cooking class. Compared to the French system he finds school, despite speaking a foreign language, “not very stressful� and the homework not very difficult. The hours at his large private school in France are 8 a.m. to 4, 5 or even 6 p.m. Compared to the campus of his school where students can walk outside between classes and have an hour and a half for lunch, Pichaud finds Millbrook High School physically confining.

“The French system is very different,� Thomas explained, because students must choose what track they will follow when they enter high school. Those with non-academic interests pursue a professional baccalaureate that prepares them for work as mechanics or tradesmen, while those planning to go to university, like Thomas, must choose among economics, science or literature. Unlike the United States, private schools are not terribly expensive, and neither is university.

He loves sports, but not American football, basketball, baseball or even soccer, whose players seem to have a bad reputation in France. Until age 12 Thomas was a competitive tennis player, which he gave up to study science. An avid water polo and rugby player, Thomas has joined the town’s swim team and commutes to Poughkeepsie to practice. Thomas finds it odd that Millbrook varsity teams wear ties and jackets on the day of a game.

“The only time French students wear a tie is for oral examinations,� he commented.

Other differences Thomas has noticed are the expense and slow speed of the Internet compared to France, where it costs only 30 euros (about $40 U.S.) for broadband, telephone and television combined, and the poor cell phone coverage. Another surprising observation was his comparison of the traditional architecture of Millbrook’s homes to the very modern house of his parents.

Thomas said he feels that students in France are freer and believes that between sports and working American students are left with little time to spend with their friends. Cars seem to be a problem for all exchange students because they cannot drive and most are used to getting around on public transportation. He also finds the roads in France to be safer and less stressful, and the cars here much bigger.

In politics Thomas has found a similarity between France and the United States.

“Just like Obama, Sarkozy can’t do what he wants,� he said.

Thomas has already been in New York City twice, most recently with other Rotary Exchange students on a trip to the United Nations.

“I love New York City. It has everything,� Thomas said.

When he returns to France Thomas will have to repeat his senior year and prepare for his baccalaureate exam. In the meantime, he said he misses his friends and his town.