Fostering exchange of culture
By Ettora Trinca, Year 11, St Monica’s College
ST Monica’s College is excited to welcome four exchange students to our school; three French and one Swiss student.
The young women from France will be here for three weeks and Alessia, who is from Switzerland, will remain in Cairns until September.
All the girls have been welcomed with open arms into the St Monica’s community and have already made many friends who are helping them as they find their way around school and adapt to a very different environment.
They all agree that one of the most significant differences is wearing a uniform to school. The students are enjoying a range of subjects and, although they will not be assessed, it is a great chance to see and take part in the subjects that Australian children are offered.
Part of the experience is to spend time with their host family and participate in everyday family life.
Appoline is 15 and comes from Paris.
“I am enjoying myself very much. On the weekend I travelled to Kuranda and visited the Cairns Show,” she said. “I am having so much fun.” I have been lucky enough to host our Swiss student Alessia, who is 15.
Alessia is part of a different program called the Queensland Swiss-German Student Exchange Program.
As part of this program I will be able to travel to Switzerland in November for nine weeks and attend a Swiss school as an exchange student.
I will also be staying with Alessia and her family. This is such an amazing experience and I am thrilled to be part of it.