Biography

André Girod, a French native studied at the Sorbonne for a master in literature then came to America as a Fulbright scholar and studied at the University of Iowa. He went on to become a teacher in 1965 and was offered a position at Coe College in Cedar Rapids Iowa. He was specializing in the teaching of French in foreign countries. While working, Andre realized the decrease of the French language and culture in America during the 1970s. It was this decrease that encouraged Girod to found the "French-American class." Within this program, thousands of American children were able to go to France and vice versa and participate in a foreign exchange program. The program nearly reached one million elementary students throughout the USA and France. Since then, Andre has published over 20 books, including "it's a Long Way to France", his first book published in America. This book covers the stories of some of the students who has participated in the exchange program. Other books are about experiences in the United States. He published in 1978 a long poem about the state of the planet in 2030, one of the pioneers on ecology.Girod has now retired and currently spends his time between the USA and France. He is currently an artist and is working on an exhibition in France due to launch in May 2017. It is entitled "Saga in America". He is thinking of bringing the exhibit to America, but nothing is yet confirmed.