Hill Spring International School continues its annual French Exchange Program with three high schools in Morlaix in the Bretagne region in France.In June 2019, 22 Grade 9 students spent 19 days in France, a week in Morlaix, 5 days in the mountains near Annecy and a week in Paris. Their stay with their correspondents in Morlaix was then reciprocated in January 2020, when they in turn welcomed their French friends to stay with them for 10 days in Mumbai
The group of students accompanied by 3 teachers arrived in Mumbai on 11th January 2020, all enthused to discover and soak in our city and its rich culture. Their days were spent in school with the French students engaged in various activities like Bollywood dance, Indian classical music, drama, yoga, etc. They also had the opportunity to visit Haji Ali, Mani Bhavan, temples like ISKON, Mahalaxmi and Babulnath along with spending an entire morning interacting with the cancer patients at Masina Hospital.
Their time out of school was equally busy – between celebrating Makar Sankranti, being shown around the city by their respective host families and spending an entire day at a resort in Panvel, the French students had a great learning experience.
A relationship that started off in June 2019 was clearly cemented in these 10 days, between the French and Indian students. Tears shed at the airport were proof of the same. Our French friends left on Tuesday 21st January, taking with them unforgettable memories and bonds that will hopefully last forever
To take learning out of the classroom and to instill a deeper understanding and appreciation of the French and Indian cultures in the youths of today.
In June 2018, 26 students from Grade 9 went to France for an exchange program-cum-summer school course for 18 days. They spent one week in host families in the small quaint town of Morlaix, 4 days at a chateau near Annecy and a week in Paris. After staying with their French host families for a week, it was now their turn to welcome the French students (accompanied by three teachers).
During their 10-day stay, the French students were exposed to various cultural and academic activities. They experienced first hand celebrations for Indian festivals like Lohri and Makar Sankranti, got a glimpse into Indian block painting on shawls, visited important historical places like the Mahalaxmi temple and Mani Bhavan, spent a fun-filled day in Lonavala and attended a few classes in school.
10 activity and learning-filled days helped the French and Indian students meet and interact more freely, creating a feeling of oneness amongst them. This was evident by the tears sped at the airport on their way back. The exchange certainly left everyone with a great learning experience and unforgettable memories, and hopefully friends for a lifetime.
We, at NSS Hill Spring International School believe in taking learning outside the class room. Keeping this philosophy in mind, we have partnered with 3 schools in Morlaix, a small town in the Bretagne region of France. Every June 20-25 students, accompanied by 2 teachers visit France for an exchange program. The entire delegation stays with their French host families for a week.
Thereafter they head to a mountain retreat near Annecy for a short language camp. During this period the students experience outdoor activities, language classes amidst scenic mountains while living in a cottage.
The excursion in the mountains is followed by a week in Paris where the students attend language classes in the mornings and explore the city in the afternoons. Their learning is used in daily situations like ordering food at a restaurant, making purchases at a super market etc. The students are urged to converse in French all the time, even amongst themselves.
In January, it is our turn to host the French exchange students. During their 10-day stay, the French students are exposed to various cultural and academic activities like museum visits, art classes and a variety of subject- learning programs. The students also engaged in learning Indian musical instruments. We also try to incorporate a social cause like spending the morning meeting with cancer patients at Masina Hospital, thereby sensitizing their outlook towards life. The various social activities (football and swimming parties, day spend at weekend getaways like Alibaug, etc.) conducted after school hours and over the week-end, help the students to meet and interact freely; creating a feeling of oneness amongst them.
This program gives our students an opportunity to live their learning alongwith making friends for life.
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