Student exchange: Bhawana

Posted: 21 August 2018

Schools exchanging:

Vidya Devi Jindal School, India and Roedean School, South Africa

Duration:

One month reciprocal exchange

About:

Bhawana Dahiya from Vidya Devi Jindal School in India took part in a one-month reciprocal student exchange to Roedean School, Johannesburg, South Africa. Bhawana enjoyed a number of cultural to visits helping her to acclimatise to life in South Africa before starting school. “On the first weekend, we visited the Madikwe Game Reserve and saw African elephants, kudos, impalas, lions and leopards. This was followed by a trip to Cape Town which was eternally beautiful. We went up to the Table Mountain and gazed at the beauty of the city. We also went to Robben Island.”

Bhawana totally immersed herself into life at Roedean and wore the school’s uniform and followed the school’s daily schedule including taking classes in Zulu and Afrikaans.

“The entire experience was very different and an amazing one. It was totally a new journey for me which brought in positive changes in me and made me more confident. It definitely took me out of my comfort zone of being adapted to one culture and people all the time. It was so nice meeting new and different people from all together different backgrounds. I realised nothing is difficult until you don’t try it out. I had an amazing time in South Africa and Kudos to my family there.”

Bhawana has now graduated from Vidya Devi Jindal School and plans to continue travelling and experiencing the world “I developed as a student in whole. I tried to grab and learn from all the new habits and experiences there. I turned out to be a more confident and independent girl. I really liked the way how I adjusted in a totally different environment and culture without even facing any problem. And this is surely going to help me in the future.”

Student advice

Bhawana has some good advice for anyone thinking of applying for a exchange, “I think you should grab the chance because not everybody is lucky enough to get a chance like this. I assure you that you will have the time of your life that is not only full of fun but also of new experiences and learning. You will definitely get to see the positive changes in you after you come back. It has personally helped me a lot and I still cherish each and every moment of my Exchange.”

Rep’s advice

Aradhana Malik, RS Rep from Vidya Devi Jindal School recommends:

• when on an exchange, students venture to a foreign place which later turns out to be a home away from home where they are exposed to a complete different and creative environment. It is very important to get acquainted with their friends from abroad prior to the exchange programme in order get a clear idea about their buddies from different nations;
• The onus of the child’s welfare and her healthy participation lies on the shoulders of the RS Rep (or exchange coordinator) who should be very attentive in dealing all their problems and clearing all the doubts of a exchange student;
• A variety of opportunities should be provided to the children ensure proper exposure;
• Students should be given proper assistance in their timely VISA application, if necessary; and
• students should be given a certificate at the end of the exchange to verify their experience, as the same helps in admissions to different prestigious colleges and also works as a kaleidoscope to their cherished memories at their foreign homeland which creates an essence of nostalgia whenever the student looks at it.

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