Camden students conquer money woes for Paris trip
CAMDEN, N.J. (WPVI) -- They traveled to the top of the Eiffel Tower, shopped the Champs-Elysees, and gazed at the Arc de Triomphe.
But now, students from Woodrow Wilson High School are back in Camden after a week in Paris they'll never forget.
"It was just so exciting," said Janneiry Martinez. "I don't live in a tiny world, I live in a big world."
"My first impression was like, 'Wow, I'm actually in Europe and it's my first time travelling," said Minh Le.
You may remember hearing about these students earlier this year in a story on 6abc.
Their French teacher, Paula Saillard, spent months trying to raise enough money to get a group of 28 students and chaperones to Paris.
It was no easy feat.
"For these kids to not have the money to pay for it, I wanted to - I don't want to say even out things - but I wanted to give them a chance to have that fabulous experience," she said.
Her efforts paid off, raising more than $45,000 for the trip. There were big sponsors like the Katz foundation, Holman, and Subaru, plus reduced airfare from American Airlines.
Donations also rolled in after their story aired on 6abc.
"Your original broadcast brought us $15,000 in one night on GoFundMe," Saillard said.
Their days were packed with sightseeing and experiencing a new culture.
"My favorite part was, honestly, just looking at the landscape and horizon," said Le.
"My favorite part, honestly, had nothing to do with any monument. It was seeing my students see Paris," said Saillard.
Of course they sampled the food, and even organized a cheese-tasting.
"I actually want to try all the cheese. Like the stinkiest one - I loved," said Martinez.
These students said on Monday they were still a little bit jet lagged, but they don't mind! It was a small price to pay for this trip of a lifetime.
"Now that I see people communicating, talking, and how life works over there. It's, like I want to learn French more. I'm more curious about it," said Martinez.
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