When we were selected to represent Del Mar College and Corpus Christi in Agen, France, we knew we would be learning about French cuisine. What we didn’t realize was how much we would also learn about culture, hospitality, friendship, and ourselves.

Thanks to the United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce, the Corpus Christi Sister City Committee, Del Mar College, and our incredible hosts in Agen, we were given an opportunity that will stay with us for the rest of our lives. This culinary exchange was created to promote cultural exchange, culinary education, and professional development through the Sister City partnership between Corpus Christi and Agen, and we experienced that mission every day.

Our days were filled with unforgettable experiences. We trained alongside talented French chefs, worked in professional kitchens, visited culinary schools, explored local markets, and discovered techniques that expanded our understanding of the culinary arts. Every kitchen had its own rhythm, every chef had a unique perspective, and every day challenged us to become better students and future culinary professionals.

Outside the kitchen, we experienced the warmth and generosity of the people of Agen. We shared meals with local families, explored historic villages, visited local producers, and learned about traditions that have been passed down for generations. While we traveled to France to study food, we came home with so much more than recipes. We gained a deeper appreciation for another culture and discovered how food has the power to connect people, no matter what language they speak.

One of the greatest lessons we learned is that Sister Cities are about more than exchanging visits—they’re about building relationships. Through shared meals, conversations, and experiences, we formed friendships that crossed cultures and continents. Those connections are something we will always treasure.

Looking back on our experience, it’s difficult to put into words just how grateful we are. This exchange was truly a dream opportunity. We made lifelong friends, created unforgettable memories, learned more than we ever imagined, and returned home with new knowledge, greater confidence, and a deeper appreciation for the power of cultural exchange. We are incredibly thankful to the United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce, the Corpus Christi Sister City Committee, Del Mar College, our hosts in Agen, and everyone who believed in us and made this journey possible.

Programs like this do far more than teach culinary techniques. They inspire students to dream bigger, embrace new perspectives, and pursue opportunities they may have never imagined possible. We hope future Del Mar College culinary students will have the chance to experience this incredible exchange and continue strengthening the friendship between Corpus Christi and Agen.

To everyone who invested in us, welcomed us, encouraged us, and believed in this program, thank you. We were honored to represent Corpus Christi in France, and we look forward to carrying everything we learned into our future careers.

Merci beaucoup, Agen. We can’t wait to see where this friendship leads next.

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