A sad weekend for 18 students from the Nancy-Metz Region in France.

They are packing their bags and heading home after spending a month attending school in the Foothills School Division.

Two of the students were at Highwood High School and the rest were the Composite in Okotoks.

Teacher Christa Finch from Highwood says the exchange program is a great experience for students.

"This is part of a program that we offer our French speaking students so they can get to experience what life is like in France," said Finch. "And so students from France can come here and experience what our immersion programs are like as well."

She adds for the FSD students it is a wonderful opportunity.

At Highwood High School they had two exchange students and the Composite in Okotoks had 16 students.

"We hope to grow the program more and more. I know the younger students are seeing how much fun Amelia Shortt and Graham Haggerty are having."

And she added it has been fun to have Paul Mauchamp and Faustine Andre-Leloup at Highwood High.

Andre-Leloup says she is sad to leave but looking forward to seeing her family after a month away from them.

"I like to be here," she said.

Mauchamp says the Canada is great and there are a lot of wonderful things here.

"I am very happy to be here."

The FSD students will be travelling to France for their part of the exchange in March.

Amelia Shortt and Graham Haggerty from Highwood High School are looking forward to improving their French and catching up with their new friends when they go to France.