Student exchange programme at Labourdonnais College: Students thrilled at the amazing experiences

The Labourdonnais College at Vallee des Prêtres organised during the month of May a Student Exchange Programme with the CHIREC International School, Hyderabad, India. The 12 Indian students were accommodated by students and teachers of the college. The Labourdonnais College students share with us this exceptional experience. 

From 15 to 22 May, the Labourdonnais College at Vallee des Prêtes hosted their first ever Student Exchange Programme. Organised in collaboration with the CHIREC International School, Hyderabad, India, the college welcomed 12 students aged 14 years, accompanied by their deputy rector Mrs Snehalatha Tolasati and teacher Mrs Manju Sharma. The Indian students were accommodated in host families namely at the college’s students and teachers residence.

The rector of Labourdonnais College Houmayoun Soobadar underlines that the college strongly believes in the holistic development of student. “The student exchange programme empowers students through an academic interchange different from their own and broadens students’ outlook by learning how to live with and meet different culture, creeds and colours. It also enhances their personal development, from communication skills to becoming more responsible beings,” he says, talking about the importance of organising such a programme at school.  

He trusts that the programme has given the students the opportunity to not only learn but also grow in various ways. “We now have at Labourdonnais College emerging leaders who through this programme have been able to develop several skills.  In addition, students often have a complex of superiority over others but through this programme they have come across other people who are also well cultured and intelligent and this somehow changed their perceptions on other people.”

Houmayoun Soobadar trusts that the organisation of such a programme is important and students around the country should be given the opportunity to experience it. “We are living in a global village and it is essential for schools to give students the opportunity to discover themselves and being exposed to international culture.  Schools should prepare students to become citizens who can operate and integrate in any part of the world and hence learning should not be limited to Mauritius only.”

The Labourdonnais College is looking forward to organising similar programmes on a yearly basis. “It is an honour that a group of students and educators from Labourdonnais College will be flying to India in December 2017 for an exchange programme,” reveals the Rector. 

M. Fawwaz Tinkory, Grade 12: “A mutually enriching experience”

“The student exchange programme was an amazing experience.  I did not believe the power of being in an exchange programme until now as I was fully involved in all the activities with these students during their stay.  I have never though before, that one day, I would be the host family of anybody,” says Fawwaz who hosted Kabir at his house.

The grade 12 student says that his family and himself had shared a lot with the foreign student. “It was a mutually enriching experience. It may seem like a trivial matter, but this experience was the first of a long list of very interesting experiences that have changed my life forever, I have made a new friend whom my parents considered as their own child during his stay at my place.”

Fawwaz trusts that the student exchange programme has promoted mutual and cultural understanding, bringing different nationalities together to share ideas and compare values. “It has also created lifelong memories and relationship between my family and the student. I learnt about another culture and a little of another language also, without having to leave home.  My family was brought even closer by sharing our daily lives with the student.  This experience has led me to enhance my confidence and self-esteem,” he shares. He adds that educationally, the program has helped him a lot and he has learned how an international school operates. “Moreover, international learning and knowledge promotes acceptance and understanding of an array of different cultures and communities to a student.  The lessons I learnt will stay with me forever and my belief in cultural exchange will never leave me. This is how we can really learn about others.”

Christopher Lamto, Grade 12: “It creates lifelong memories”

The young student says that the student exchange programme was a bit stressful for him as it was the first time he was welcoming a foreign student at home. However, Christopher says that he did not expect this experience to turn out so well. “I was stressed but also very excited with the idea of having a new friend.  We in fact shared the same passion for sports and it was a pleasure for me to take him to the football playground after school hours.  We enjoyed ourselves and little did I realise that we were creating lifelong memories,” shares Christopher.

It was also an occasion for him to make his new friend discover the local flavours and cuisine but also our values and traditions. “My parents made him taste our Mauritian food, including Mauritian curry and biryani. It was a new experience for my family as we had to speak English with our guest at home. We shared our values, traditions and daily routine.  It was an enriching experience as I benefited from a great knowledge about India.”

Christopher says that the programme has helped him to become more responsible, independent and mature.  “I have developed leadership skills and enhanced my communication skills.  I have understood through this programme that education is not only about academic achievement but also about discovery yourself and building on your personality and identity,” he states.

Haajarah, Haadiyah and Humeirah Dhoomun: “We must encourage exchange programmes”

The three sisters explain that they hosted two girls from the CHIREC International School at their home. “Initially interacting with our two guests namely Adishree and Shreenidhi was a little hesitant as it was our first time meeting people from a different cultural and academic background.  However once at ease with them we became friends and learnt about their culture, traditions and their hobbies,” they share. 

Haajarah, Haadiyah and Humeirah state that during the whole programme, they had the opportunity to learn new things including understanding of other’s culture or difference and respecting them for their different ways of living. “Since our friends were both vegetarians, we had the opportunity to explore vegetarian dishes and our parents made it a must that we ate veggies which we usually don’t enjoy. While having dinner at home, Adishree and Shreenidhi narrated their stories in Hyderabad where they reside and how they spend their day. We really enjoyed each other’s company.” 

The three sisters also explain that the student exchange programme has helped them in their studies. “It has helped us improve communication skills and has brought out in us a more mature way of thinking towards people not from the same community.” 

Ismaail Bhollah, Grade 11: “A fantastic experience”

For Ismaail, welcoming a foreign student at his home and making him part of the family has been a fantastic experience.  “As I am the only child, it was great having like a younger brother at home.  We have been able to share our hobbies and knowledge.  We also learned new things together.  My parents have been very supportive and open-minded,” he reveals.

The student says that the programme has given him to discover his local as well as foreign communities. “I also gained a rich understanding of Indian culture, more specifically Hyderabad’s culture,” he says. Ismaail also reveals that the programme has greatly helped in his holistic development. Academically, I have improved my English through practical immersion and learnt a new language as well.  I now have a greater general knowledge and understanding of global issues.  I became aware of career opportunities and future study options.  Together with this, I also gained maturity through challenges that I faced with my new friends and this has boost up my self-confidence.”

Ismaail is happy to be keeping lifelong memories of that exceptional experience. “It was very thrilling to show off our country, to share our cultures with these students.  It is a lasting friendship that crosses oceans and years. Lifelong memories and experiences, mutual learning and teaching took place,” he says.