Rebound's assessment), but they also had the opportu-
nity to experience “delicacies” like watermelon and
pecan pie for the first time, said Fereday. When asked
what he felt was the biggest difference he had noticed
in his first week here, Rebound said that here the doc-
tors consider what treatment they will try based on what
the patient can afford. “In France, we do not do it this
way; it is all paid for,” referring to the socialized health-
care system in his country. Based on some of the
homes they visited, they also thought that American
doctors were much wealthier than those in France. “We
tried to explain to them that is not always the case,” said
Lolly Frusha. “We wanted to give them a true picture of
American life.” Rebound also indicated that he was not
homesick and wanted to see everything he could as this
may be his only opportunity to come to the United
States.
“Having Marie Laure stay with us has been an enriching
experience for all of us,” said Laura Fereday. “We're
learning about another culture and the children are
learning an important life lesson in sharing their home
with someone outside of our family.” She also comment-
ed that the most interesting part of the experience has
been the sudden transformation of her husband's com-
munication style since Marie came to stay. “He speaks
English with what he perceives as a French accent, and
with a curiously increased volume. He's also added to
that a form of sign language, motioning wildly as he
speaks,” she joked. Joking aside, the hosts hope they
are doing their part for international relations. “I really
think we are doing a good job in letting them know we
are nice people, not ugly Americans,” said Lolly Frusha.
“It also gives us great insight into how they see us in
France.”
There is a standing invitation to make the program work
both ways and to send some of our medical students to
Grenoble, but as yet it has not been pursued. Some of
last year's host families, including the Frusha's, did trav-
el to Grenoble to visit the school and the families of the
students they hosted. “We loved that,” said Lolly
Frusha, “they were so welcoming and warm.” This
year's students included: Laura Porcene, Marion
Chapuis, Romain Ferlay, Pierre Rebound, Marie Laure,
Sanderine Clot, Benedict Guillune, Valerie Tatinaud,
Romain Roche, Yvan Herenger, Audrey Chapuis, and
Agetha Mullie.
v
healthcarejournalbr.com | September / October 2008 Issue |
Healthcare Journal of Baton Rouge
77