The Québec Exchange Program provides an outstanding opportunity for Skowhegan Area High School students to practice their French language skills, to get to know French Canadian culture first hand, and to meet French-speaking students from St-Georges, a town of 30,000 located a little over two hours north of Skowhegan.

During this, the program’s first year, fourteen exchange students and two teachers from the École Polyvalente de Saint-Georges visited Skowhegan Area High School October 22-26, 2003. They arrived on Wednesday the 22, went to classes with their “twins” (student partners) on Thursday, and participated in group activities and a potluck dinner that evening. On Friday the group traveled to Augusta (the Maine State Museum and State House, Popham Beach and attended the Skowhegan-Mt. Blue football game in the evening. On Saturday they visited Boston (Quincy Market, New England Aquarium, Charleston Naval Shipyard) and Freeport. The students from Québec returned home on Sunday.

From Wednesday March 24, till Sunday March 28,2004, the Skowhegan students traveled to St. Geroges, for a similar 5-day visit. Thursday they attended classes at Polyvalente St. George. They saw an improv theater competition. Friday everyone took part in a highly entertaining Karaoke competition. Mr. Gin's team squeezed out a narrow victory with their heart-felt renditions of Abba's "Fernando" and John Denver's "Take Me Home Country Roads". The students tried out the olympic size swimming pool at the school. Some students enjoyed diving of the 3 meter diving board. They had a very filling meal at a traditional Cabane à Sucre (Sugar Shack) to celebrate the Festival de l’Erable (Maple Syrup Festival). The day ended with a fun evening of bowling. Saturday the whole group traveled to Quebec City for the day. They arrived in the old city by ferry. There were great views of the Chateau Frontenac as they crossed the ice-filled St. Lawrence River. They spent time in the old city, had a tour of the Chateau Frontenac, visited the Quebec Observatory with wonderful views of the city. In the afternoon they went to the Galleries de la Capital (a large mall with amusement rides, hockey rink and IMAX theatre. They saw a fascinating 3D movie about the life of bugs. Dinner was at the Flash Café. Sunday morning the Skowhegan students said good-by to their partners and headed home.