In the Benoit family, there is the father, Pierre, a scientist specializing in infectious diseases; the mother, Dominique, a teacher; and their two children: Julie and Philippe, both adolescents. It is a French family that is about to make an important decision... or, better yet, about to cross an entire ocean, to spend two years in the United States where Pierre has been invited by the NIH. It is a small group that is understandably a bit overwhelmed by this experience, readying itself to fly off to Washington where it will establish itself, where it will learn and understand the lifestyle of the Americans, will touch all facets of this country, will make friends, study, and live in its own way, the "American way of life".