Venta School Hosts Foreign Exchange Students

Often the best learning experiences happen outside the classroom.   In the case of six students from Mexico, their education brought them not only outside their classroom, but outside their school and country.

Several Grade 6 students from the American Institute of Monterrey recently travelled to Ottawa to participate in the first leg of a cultural and academic exchange with Venta Preparatory School.  The Mexican students lived with Venta students and their families for 10 days.

“When you live with a family, you have a valuable and rare opportunity to experience a new culture from the inside out.  The excitement of learning, living and experiencing life in another country is quite enriching,” said Tracey Quinn, the exchange co-ordinator.

 “These children are 12 years old and almost all of them had never really been away from home.  Although some experienced a bit of homesickness at first, they quickly moved past that after getting used to their new environment.

Even though they are in elementary school, the exchange allowed them to grow and mature on a personal and academic level.   This experience will stay with them forever,” said Quinn.

The Mexican students spent the mornings touring Ottawa and the afternoons in the classroom, as there was an academic component to the exchange.

The Venta students and two staff members are now preparing for their trip in March by taking Spanish lessons and learning about what they can expect while in Mexico.

“Aside from the academic and cultural benefits of our trip, I know our students will return with a greater sense of self-confidence and a better awareness of the world we live in. 

They will participate in a real-life study of Mexico’s cultural traditions, language, etiquette, and history.  In turn, we will represent our school, community and country,” said Quinn.

 

To see the itinerary, click here!