Educational Innovation: exchanges follow-up and a blended learning experience in S6
Exchanges
Students are asked to report on their exchange experiences upon return. This summer BDS had students in England, Scotland and the US (San Francisco, NY). Educational Innovation manager, Francisco Lehmann, shares one of those testimonials.
| Name | Yael Kohan |
| Your age: | 16 |
| Where in the world did you go? | London, England |
| What school did you go to? | Felsted, www.felsted.org |
| What was the highlight of your experience? | Staying in a boarding school enabled the possibility to absorb all the school could offer, from sports to music or art activities. The best part of it was a really stronger bond with the other boarders, who made me feel welcome and guided me. Boarding makes your friends become like a family! |
| What skills did you develop? | I think I became a lot more independent and open person. I had never been so far from my family for such a long time, and even though I missed them, I managed to get through perfectly and had lots of fun! Also, the experience of having to make new friends was very enriching, and helped me be a friendlier person now. |
| Did you notice any cultural differences? | Argentina and England have lots of cultural differences (even some struggles!) but at the end of the day I could realize we are all similar in a way. The biggest difference is probably the language, and also the way the British voice or show affection, (in Argentina we say Hi with a kiss, for example); they are very polite people and correct in lots of ways. |
| What did you learn about that country/culture? | I learnt a lot from British people, how they get along with each other, their likes and dislikes, their tastes, their humor, and where all the "cheers" come from! In the academic sense I learnt some of British colonization history and also attended classes where they were holding mock elections, so I learnt about politics in the UK. Also, since Felsted is a very international school, I also learned about Italian, German, Portuguese and French cultures, and even from places like Malasia or Tanzania which are very far from my own culture. |
| What was your emotional journey? | My biggest fear was staying in a boarding school, a new and strange thing for me, but it ended up being so much better than I expected. Maybe if I had stayed in a family's house I wouldn't have been able to meet so many different people. I got a really friendly housemistresses, great mates, and lots of entertainment and activities every day. When I was leaving I finally felt like I was leaving my home behind, it was very sad! |
| Would you recommend someone to try it? Why? | Yes, definitely. Going on an exchange is not only fun, but very satisfying. You get to experience a very different life, or see things on a very different perspective, open your mind to new activities and people, and challenge yourself. You even get a sense of independence being away from your family and friends, and learn how to go on by yourself. |
| What advice would you give students who want to participate in an exchange? | My advice would be to be very willing to meet new people and proudly show who you are in the sense of where you come from, and contribute the most you can. Try to participate as much as possible and try things you wouldn't do or be able to do at home. |
Farewell get-together, Felsted School, London.
Blended Learning, in Senior 6
In the Spanish version of this post you can read about this experience.
