A Correspondent –
Howick College, Auckland and Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s Vallabhram Mehta Public School, Vadodara (Baroda), India had an educational exchange programme from October 18 to October 31, 2015.
Eleven students and two teachers from India visited New Zealand for the first time as part of this 14-day-exchange program.
The students attended normal classes with the students at Howick College.
Kiwi buddies
The individual class timetable was designed well by Howick College with each student assigned a ‘buddy.’ The students attended classes as per the timetable of the buddy.
The students from Bhavan’s School made a presentation of the ‘ISRO Mars Mission’ to the students of Howick College. It was an enriching programme for the visiting students as they enjoyed the friendly and informal atmosphere at the College.
The students visited AUT, University of Auckland and Massey University to explore possible opportunities for their future studies in New Zealand.
The bright students from India presented science projects and delivered lectures to students and teachers about the system of education in India and strategies used to deliver knowledge to high school students.
Howick College Principal Iva Ropati admired the students from India for their intelligence and excellent behaviour. He complimented them on their smart uniform with blue blazers, which, he said, reminded him of Indian cricket players.
The programme was organised by Blue Horizon Consultancy Services, Auckland, comprising Marketing Consultant Venki Iyer and Educationist Meena Iyer.
It was of personal significance to Mrs Iyer who had taught at both institutions.
The students and teachers were taken care of by host families who went out of their way to extend their hospitality.
Energetic entertainment
On the last day of their stay, students presented a cultural programme including the ‘Garba’ and a song and dance item taken from a Hindi film. The performances were marked for their vivacity and colourful costumes.
The students were all praise for New Zealand and Howick College and have carried with them loads of memories of the country with the warm, friendly nature of the students of Howick College and the excellent teaching methods used by the school.
They left with a strong feeling that New Zealand is not only famous for open spaces but also for people with their open hearts and open minds.
Photo :
Students of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s Vallabhram Mehta Public School, Vadodara with their counterparts at Howick College in Auckland
