Around the USA in 80 Days: French Student to ‘Discover’ America

37 host families, across 33 states, driving over 11,800 miles in quest to ‘discover and learn’ about America and Americans.

Los Angeles, CA. (PRWEB) June 15, 2007 -- Jean-Philippe Devillers is planning to discover America this summer one city and one family at a time. To get a better understanding of Americans and American culture, the French business student is traveling across the United States in 80 days staying with 37 host families in 37 cities, crossing 33 states and driving well over 11,800 miles by car.

The theme of this French adventurer’s journey is “Open Mind, Open Heart, Open Home.” Devillers’ objective is to spend time with Americans in their homes, to learn and share ideas, and to experience life as lived by ordinary Americans. The tour kicks off June 15 in Las Vegas and will conclude September 3 in San Francisco.

“My intention is to share, discover and learn,” said Devillers. “As the late President John F. Kennedy said, ‘the greater our knowledge increases the more our ignorance unfolds.’ This adventurous trip is a way for me to unfold my ignorance about American culture.”

Devillers hopes to absorb every aspect of America this summer from hoe-downs to hamburgers in addition to imparting a little of his French culture on his American hosts. He is swapping hospitality for a few days in each of his American host’s homes in exchange for later and longer stays at his family’s homes in either Paris or Nice. Devillers chose home exchange because it allows him to experience an area as a local, not a tourist, enjoying each particular city’s unique flavor, offerings and people none of which would have been possible with a hotel stay.

Jean-Philippe Devillers invites everyone to find out more about his adventure and follow his journey through blogs and photos on his website ‘Around the USA in 80 Days’ at www.usin80days.com.

His trip is sponsored in part by www.HomeExchange.com, the agency Devillers used to arrange many of his swaps, which was also featured in the recent movie hit “The Holiday.”

For readers wishing to try their own home exchange, a 25% discount is offered on www.HomeExchange.com for visitors to Devillers’ site. HomeExchange will also contribute a portion of the revenue from those sign ups to cover Devillers’ trip expenses.

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