Since 2005, Friends of Fondation de France has proudly supported École Jeannine Manuel, a bilingual school committed to fostering international and intercultural understanding through education. With campuses in Paris and Lille, the school serves a diverse community of students from nursery through 12th grade, representing over 80 nationalities. Through their balanced French-English bilingual curriculum, this partnership underscores our shared dedication to promoting ties between France and the United States, strengthened by shared cultural and educational values.
Founded in 2003 under the aegis of Fondation de France, the Jeannine Manuel Foundation aims to promote international understanding through bilingual education, supporting the activities of École Jeannine Manuel as well as other nonprofit institutions in line with Jeannine Manuel’s vision, in France and around the world. French-English bilingualism lies at the heart of the École Jeannine Manuel project, a school where all teachers instruct in their native language and where a significant portion of students are native English or French speakers.
Through Friends of Fondation de France, the Jeannine Manuel Foundation has, for several years, built a strong and lasting relationship with its American donors through secure and effective international philanthropy. U.S. donors play an important role in the sustainable development of the school’s scholarship program for deserving students whose families face financial challenges, as well as in the research and pedagogical innovation program known as the Science Curriculum.
In response to the COVID-19 crisis and the war in Ukraine, funds recently raised from across the Atlantic through Friends of Fondation de France have provided additional support to the Scholarship Program, notably financing the tuition of Ukrainian refugee students welcomed at École Jeannine Manuel since 2022, many of whom are enrolled in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. These families could not have afforded the tuition on their own, and the support addresses an urgent humanitarian need in Europe. Thanks to these funds, students have found a caring, bilingual, and international environment that allows them to readjust smoothly, without language barriers, with some already possessing advanced levels of English.
Funds raised in the United States also support the reach and impact of the Science Curriculum program, distinguished by its innovative and hands-on approach to the sciences. Students learn by doing, draw lessons from their mistakes, and, above all, continue learning by collaborating with experts in the field. By developing sustainable, innovative, and creative educational programs within the Science Curriculum—such as science workshops for high-potential students or the “ATOLE – Attentive à l’École” program—the Jeannine Manuel Foundation aims to equip today’s children with the tools and skills they will need to meet the scientific challenges of tomorrow.
Alumni Perspective: Benjamin Blumen on the Horizon-Opening Impact of École Jeannine Manuel
To illustrate the horizon-opening impact of École Jeannine Manuel and its role in fostering French-American connections, we spoke with Benjamin Blumen, a Jeannine Manuel alumnus who pursued his university studies in New York City. His reflections highlight how the school’s bilingual and international environment has shaped his academic, professional, and personal journey, while demonstrating the enduring value of U.S. donor support.
Do you have a particular memory or moment that, for you, captures the bilingual and international spirit of École Jeannine Manuel?
My graduation ceremony in May 2021 perfectly captured the bilingual and international spirit of École Jeannine Manuel. I vividly remember the moment students stepped into the school’s hall speaking French, English, Spanish, and Chinese, reflecting our community’s diversity. In that moment, I felt a profound sense of unity. Though from different backgrounds, we were bound by a shared identity through our time at the school.
Seating among my classmates I found myself savoring everything this school had given me, ranging from speaking fluent English, inspiring professors, an appreciation for British and American culture, and most importantly, belonging in an international community.
Throughout the ceremony, speeches in both French and English highlighted the school’s true bilingual nature. When our director pronounced the motto, “International Understanding through Bilingual Education,” I finally fully understood those words. At EJM, we did not just learn languages or even cultures: we connected through them. The director also reminded us that the school was founded by Jeannine Manuel after World War II to foster peace and unity through education. That mission still lives today, as evidenced by the school’s openness to the world.
The final words of the ceremony were spoken in a natural blend of French and English (Frenglish) which felt like the perfect conclusion to a decade of growing up in such a uniquely international and inspiring environment.
As someone who pursued your academic and now professional career in the U.S., how did your bilingual education prepare you to navigate international environments, both personally and academically?
When I graduated from École Jeannine Manuel, I had the incredible chance to attend my dream school New York University. I had never been in New York before, and from my family’s perspective, the idea of sending me off to the U.S. alone at 17 felt impossible. I still remember the mix of emotions I felt boarding that plane: fear, excitement, and a deep curiosity about the new city I was about to discover.
What surprised me most was how smoothly I adapted to life in New York. That transition was eased by the foundation I had at EJM: growing up in a bilingual, multicultural environment gave me more than just language skills, it taught me how to be open, empathetic, and eager to understand people who are different from me. Everything in New York was unfamiliar but I knew how to find my footing because EJM had taught me how to thrive in diverse settings.
The school had instilled in me a genuine curiosity about others, a respect for different perspectives, and the ability to build community as I explored. It gave me the confidence to speak up and the humility to listen. These are skills that made my time at NYU not only successful but deeply fulfilling.
A bilingual education also gave me a unique edge academically. The French curriculum, along with the bilingual format, taught me how to think critically and approach problems with depth, but also develop strong communication skills by understanding how to structure arguments clearly by adapting to various audiences. At NYU Stern, whether I was writing a paper, preparing for exams, or pitching a business idea, I was constantly using this blend of education to navigate the complex classes I was enrolled in. That combination helped me thrive NYU’s competitive academic environments.
Looking back, I realize just how much EJM prepared me for my future. Not just to study in the U.S., but to truly engage with the world around me, wherever I go. And for that, I will always be grateful.
In your view, why is it important to support schools that promote bilingual education and intercultural understanding?
I really believe that supporting schools that promote bilingual education, and intercultural understanding is incredibly important. These schools shape open-minded, adaptable people who are equipped to connect with others and lead teams with empathy.
From my experience, the best leaders are the ones who know how to bring together people from different backgrounds and make everyone feel understood. I believe this all starts with empathy. Being part of a bilingual, international school like École Jeannine Manuel helped me recognize that there’s never just one “right” way of thinking. It taught me how to listen, adapt, and build genuine relationships with people from all over the world.
Bilingual educations also spark an incredibly powerful tool, curiosity. Being in an environment where multiple cultures and languages coexist makes you want to explore even more of the world. It gives you the sense that there is always something new to learn. I genuinely enjoy being at the intersection of French and American culture. That mix gives me a unique way of seeing the world and allowed me to dream big while staying rooted.
Going from EJM in Paris to NYU Stern was a dream come true, and it would not have happened without the school. At NYU, I met people from every corner of the globe, studied abroad, led clubs, and found mentors who shaped the person I have become. Bilingual schools do not just prepare students for exams, they prepare them to face the world. Supporting these institutions is about believing in a future where people understand each other better, work together more easily, and lead with both heart and perspective.
What does French-American friendship mean to you today?
To me, French-American friendship is about connection and mutual respect. Growing up in France and then moving to the U.S. for college, I explored both cultures deeply. Even if they are incredibly different, I enjoy how much they admire and learn from one another. In every single internship or job interview I have experienced, the one thing people remember is that I grew up in France. It always initiates a conversation, and it reminds me that bringing a different cultural background to the table is something people highly value.
For me, this friendship is not just about two separate countries or cultures. It is about the bond that it creates between those two cultures. Even today, I remain incredibly close with my American or international friends from École Jeannine Manuel. There seems to be something special about friendships that were formed through a shared bilingual and multicultural experience.
To me, being part of both cultures is a privilege. And I am so grateful for the people, like those I met at EJM and NYU, who remind me how powerful that bridge can be.
To learn more about École Jeannine Manuel or support its mission to promote bilingual education and international understanding, visit their page on the Friends of Fondation de France website.
We are thankful for our partnership with École Jeannine Manuel, which shows how bilingual education and French-American generosity can build enduring connections and nurture friendship between our two countries.
