FASP Alumni Spotlight: Alexandre Cartier

An in-depth interview with alumni as they reflect on their time at the French American School of Princeton

Even after a student graduates from the French American School of Princeton (FASP), alumni are often eager to visit their former teachers and current students who attend the school.

Truth be told, some of our alumni have the best stories to tell!

We are pleased to announce FASP’s Alumni Spotlight Series! The series will include a combination of in-depth interviews, videos and photos as former students share their bilingual-centered learning experience at FASP, and how it has shaped them into prepared, well-equipped students today.

This month, FASP introduces Alexandre Cartier, who graduated from the eighth grade at FASP in 2014. After he relocated with his parents to the United States at the age of 12, Alexandre knew only French and quickly adapted to life in a new country, and more specifically, becoming a part of a close-knit bilingual school community.

“My experience at FASP was different than most students,” said the now college-aged student. “My first year at the school exposed me to new points of view, both academically and socially. Being in a school with multiple cultures is an amazing aspect that you will benefit from.”

Aside from being exposed to various groups of multi-cultural students, Alexandre explained how bilingual learning helped shape his mind, while preparing him for both high school and college, as he currently attends Engineering School in his native country of France

“Looking back at what I learned at FASP, it taught me about having conversations with people of different cultures and viewpoints. Ironically, it has taught me to learn other languages even faster.”

Academically, students at FASP are exposed to an array of subjects including math, science, music and art. For Alexandre, one particular subject piqued his interest.

“The sciences were very interesting,” he said. “Completing the lab projects were challenging yet rewarding. Being in a bilingual English and French school made me feel as if I had one foot back at home in France, and another in my new home in the United States.”