Education with a difference

Education is not limited to the confines of the classroom. This was a lesson learnt from seven learners at St Patrick’s Christian Brothers College in Kimberley, and their teacher who recently returned from eight weeks in Ecuador on an exchange programme.

South African and Ecuadorian exchange students share stories and lessons from home.

The first exchange programme between St Patrick’s college and the independent IB school Terra Nova in the Valley of Cumba-Ya in Ecuador’s capital Quito took place in 2010. The idea was conceived by St Patrick’s headmaster, Bruce Philips and director Paul Tuner of Collecio Terra Nova.

“It was this vision that has led to 14 learners going out to experience and share seeds of hope and love with other learners, and in return [the Ecuadorian learners] have come to South Africa, 30 in total, including the group that will come this year on July 6,” said Peter Maynier, a teacher and exchange participant.

The programme has been open to any Grade 10 learner interested in experiencing a different culture. However, the experience was not limited to those that travelled to the South American country. This being an exchange, the Kimberley school will welcome and learn from the Ecuadorian pupils who will be living and learning with the St Patrick’s students.

“Exchange programmes should form a vital part of any school programme,” said Mr Maynier. “It is in this exchange programme that the learners learn to move from knowledge to wisdom, and true education is not knowledge, but wisdom.”

He said one of the most notable changes in the learners was their greater understanding of the world. “They discovered that the world was made up of more than just ‘I, me and me’.”

Learner Byron McNally said he had learnt to be more patient. “This trip has taught me the secret of waiting, patience and understanding. I realised that a waiting person is someone that lives in the moment, who believes in the moment, and that all you have is the moment; most of all, the waiting person is the patient person.”

The learners were immersed in Ecuadorian culture and experiences. “The South African learners stayed with Ecuadorian host parents for eight weeks, attended school, wrote exams as far as possible, attended basic French and Spanish classes, and worked in outreach programmes,” Mr Maynier said, adding that the learners had to adapt quickly to the new lifestyle.

But it was not all hard work. Part of the exchange programme entailed learning both inside and outside of the classroom. Learners were taken on a five-day trip to the Amazon, climbed one of the world’s highest volcanos, visited indigenous villages and travelled to Mitad del Mundo (known as the “centre of the earth”). Mr Maynier said the experience of being away from home and in a different environment brought on a sense of maturity to the learners.

This sentiment was further enhanced as learners worked with children from disadvantaged backgrounds and visited the aged in a local home run by the Missionary of Charity Sisters.

Similarly, the visiting Ecuadorian students will be immersed in the South African school system, and they will be treated to various South African tourism highlights and learn about the local traditions.

Mr Maynier said it was not only the learners that grew and developed a deeper appreciation of life. Of the Amazon, which Mr Maynier described as the highlight of his trip, he said: “The peace and serenity wanted one to stay there forever. One comes to the realisation of how much we have lost in this busy, active, consumerist society of ours. We have lost our sense of balance, our sense of our surroundings and of what is happening around us.”

Mr Maynier said while the exchange students did continue their academic education in the international school, he emphasised that some of the most valuable lessons were learnt through their outdoor experiences amd interaction with the native people.

Learner Ahren Posthumus said he noticed how much “we forget to love and appreciate nature and so forget to love and appreciate one another, often forgetting to express our feelings face to face. Let us stop complaining and enjoy life—be happy that we, the youth of today, hold the world in our hands, and that through our hands we can make it a better place”.

Mr Maynier said such thoughts were inspired by the interaction with the indigenous people of the region. He said their knowledge of the area, plants and herbs was “incredible”.

Learner Remoratile Mogodi said she took from the experience the understanding of ubuntu. “We are often lazy to be kind to someone or to just go out of our way to help someone else. Sometimes the simplest compliment is the way to show some ubuntu. It makes people feel good and it also leaves you with a smile,” the Grade 10 learner said.

So while the learners did further their academic studies in Ecuador, both learners and teacher said that the life lessons imparted on the exchange students were invaluable. They have become better South Africans, have become more mature and have gained a new perspective on life. The exchange programme has afforded the learners life lessons not easily accessible in the traditional classroom.

The students of CBC St Patrick’s now eagerly await the arrival of their Ecuadorian counterparts to return the favour.