Exchange Programme: Students of Mauritius College discover Amity South Africa

Mauritius College, Curepipe has renewed with the Annual Students’ exchange programme. This year, the students of Mauritius College had the opportunity to discover South Africa, in particular the Amity International School in Pretoria from July 25 to August 02 2016. The visit was facilitated by the Amity Global Business School, part of Amity Education Group which has its presence in more than 10 countries.

The objective of the Programme, according to the Rector Mrs Mohadeb was to “actively promote the intellectual and personal growth of the students and enable them to shed their inhibitions to go beyond boundaries and new horizons”. There were 10 students from Mauritius Boys and Girls Department accompanied by two teachers to South Africa for 10 days.

Mrs. Nathoo Geeta, one of the accompanying teachers, stated that “this is a true adventure experience for both students and the teachers involved as the former are able to develop a new outlook on life with an enriching understanding.” 

The approach of the exchange programme is that local students’ go to the overseas institution and stay at the other institution students’ place throughout. The students had the opportunity to study in the international institution, stay in class, interact with tutors, participate in class activities, workshops and also visit interesting places.

Student Yoanne Barry, Lower six, said that “it was a fantastic experience, going through the customs department, sitting in the airplane and of course interacting with a new friend. Being at Amity Private School stayed at Student Nato’s place who was from grade 9 and it was a real experience to understand the way of living of our African friends.”

Julie Martin, Lower Six student, said that “the Amity International School had many facilities, including playground, pool tables and we also played cricket. The pedagogical approach adopted by the teachers was like the local Mauritian approach.”

The students also visited many interesting places outside the school namely Gold Reef City, Soweto Mandela House, Apartheid Museum, Pretoria Zoo, Flea Market and they also engaged in other activities, such as participating in a Drug Conference organised by Laudium Civic Centre. 

Trisha Buantoa of From 5 said that ‘the Forum on Drug Abuse was of international standards as we got to hear testimonials from African students and their respective parents. We were part of some extensive group work and we also provided our inputs on what Mauritius is doing in order to stop the proliferation of drugs.”

The 10-day visit ended with the Principal of Amity International School Mrs Anita Pillay thanking all the students involved as well as their teachers and informed them that the Amity team will be in Mauritius next year to develop the bonding which has been initiated by Amity Mauritius.