Vasai (E) 401208
vvsicse@gmail.com
VIDYA VIKASINI SCHOOL (C.I.S.C.E)
Fatherwadi, Gokivare, Vasai(E) DIST PALGHAR - 401208
Need Help? call us
+91 9545108440Vasai (E) 401208vvsicse@gmail.com
Need Help? call us
+91 9545108440Our Student Exchange Programme, as part of our Global Classrooms Link Programme, is fast becoming an integral part of our annual activity calendar.
An extremely fruitful and exhilarating program was established with St. Peter’s Junior School and Rushcliffe School in Nottingham, U.K. in the years 2012/2017 and Eugen-Grimminger School and Peutinger Gymnasium Germany, 2013-14 with teachers and students visiting the linked countries thus opening up a new avenue of learning and understanding of global societies, languages and cultures.
It has given our students a chance to develop their skills and learn basic etiquette to thrive in a global society.
In an era that values global perspectives and cross-cultural understanding, where education extends beyond borders and embraces a global perspective! Our Global Student Exchange Program with Anne Frank Gemeinschaftsschule, Stuttgart, Germany opened doors for our students to immerse themselves in diverse cultures, educational systems and experiences, fostering empathy, understanding and effective interaction among the students. It offered a transformative learning experience beyond the confines of traditional classrooms, allowing students to gain insights into new cultures and educational methodologies.
Yet, another extremely fruitful and exhilarating program was established with Anne Frank Gemeinschaftsschule,Stuttgart, Germany, this year opening up a new avenue of learning and understanding of our societies, languages and cultures. It has given our students chance to develop their skills and learn basic etiquette to thrive in a global society.
This Global Student Exchange Program opened doors to a myraid of benefits for our participating students. Students developed independence, resilience and confidence by navigating new environments and overcoming challenges. Living independently in a foreign country cultivates self- reliance, resilience and adaptability. Building connections and friendship across borders became possible thus opening doors to international opportunities and lifelong friendships.
Interacting with peers from different backgrounds nurtured empathy, tolerance and a deeper appreciation for diversity. Students experienced diverse cultures, languages and traditions firsthand, fostering a global perspective and cultural diversity. This firsthand experience will surely enhance their cultural intelligence and nurture in them a global mindset.
The 10 days trip from 15th July to 24th July 2024 was truly an enriching and rewarding experience for each one of us transforming our dreams into reality. Visit to Stuttgart the ‘Cradle of Automobiles’ is the capital and largest city of the state of Baden-Württemberg in southwest Germany. It is also the sixth largest city in Germany and one of Germany’s greenest cities. It is spread across a variety of hills, (many of them vineyards), valleys and parks. Stuttgart is the birthplace of automobiles, and it’s home to Mercedes-Benz and Porsche museums. Visiting this museum was a lifetime experience.
Stuttgart’s library with its unique architecture was a sight worth seeing….it houses five lakh books! Tour of the Castle in Ludwigsburg, an impressive Baroque palace built in the 18th century which was once the residence of the kings of Wurttemberg. It is also a hub featuring the provisional history as well as items such as the Wurttemberg crown jewels from the former rulers. It houses 4 museums covering fashion, ceramics, art and the royal private apartments. The reception at the Town Hall of Stuttgart was overwhelming. The Stuttgart TV Tower can be seen from almost everywhere in Stuttgart and offers fabulous views over southwest Germany. The tower made from reinforced concrete and 217 mts tall, was a controversial landmark in the 1950s when it was built.
South towards the Swabian Alps, the old university town of Tubingen with colorful buildings was well worth a visit. Around one third of the population of Tubingen are students, making the town the youngest in Germany. Tubingen is distinguished by its well-preserved old town featuring half –timbered houses and cobbled streets.
A day trip to the beautiful old town of Heidelberg, the home to Germany’s oldest university was indeed mesmerizing. The city is synonymous with the iconic Heidelberg Castle, a mix of styles from Gothic to Renaissance perched on a hill and overlooking the city and river below.
Picnic at the Killersberg Hill Park, a green oasis in the middle of the city was a perfect leisure destination for our students.
Visit to the popular Ritter Sport Museum, the Chocolate company in Waldenbuch was a rich learning experience as each one of us got the opportunity to make our own chocolate bars with the ingredients and flavors of our choice, Not only did we learn the history behind Germany’s iconic square chocolates here, but each one of us became a chocolate maker letting our creativity run wild. The Maulbronn Monastery,/b> is the best preserved medieval Cistercian monastery complex in Europe. At a distance of one hour north of Stuttgart, this monastery is separated from the town by fortifications and is a place rich in history, culture and architecture.
Not to forget the Summer Festival, cooking a typical Swabian dish in the school kitchen and the Farewell Barbeque Fest at Anne Frank Gemeinschaftsschule, Stuttgart, that enthralled us. It is difficult to find exact words to describe the whole spectrum of feelings, emotions and thoughts that these experiences brought for all of us.
“No culture can live if it attempts to be exclusive.”
Mahatma Gandhi
I don’t have enough words to share the admiration and excitement which overflow each one of us after this wonderful trip. We can say that it’s one of the most impressive, incredible, and unforgettable experiences in our lives. It was quite challenging and because of this even more fascinating as we had to adapt to the new conditions of life across the ocean from the home country sufficiently fast. We were able to get out of our comfort zones and experience the world without boundaries and with lots of possibilities. Above all, the hospitability, love and affection that we received from the host families and the staff of Anne Frank Gemeinschaftsschule, renewed us with fresh belief in the universal brotherhood of man ……. a trip we will cherish forever and share our rich learning experiences of our school for the benefit of all.
Elizabeth Ashley
(Academic Director)
