- Global Education
Six enthusiastic students from the Holy Child Mayfield School in England ventured across the Atlantic Ocean to spend their term break living with host families and experiencing the school culture at Oak Knoll. Our sister school in the UK also hosts Oak Knoll students as part of an exchange program that encompasses Holy Child Schools in Ireland and California as well. This is just one of many facets of our globally connected academic program, where students don’t just study global cultures; they experience them.
Each of the visiting students expressed their excitement about not only participating in Oak Knoll’s day-to-day life but also being so close to New York City and its cosmopolitan charm. They discovered those charms during an organized and chaperoned trip to the city early in their visit. They spent a whole day visiting Times Square, Top of the Rock, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, 5th Avenue, Grand Central Station, and Bryant Park.
One highlight for the visitors and our students alike was the day the Mayfield visitors played educational games in the Lower School and presented facts about their culture to individual grade levels. They then joined the Lower School Culture Club for a Q&A session over specially prepared “jacket potatoes” and local pizza.
When not attending classes, the exchange students enjoyed trips to Target and the Short Hills Mall or participating in various activities with their host families. Some of these activities included a Delbarton football game, shows on Broadway, a Devils’ game, a family birthday party, a field hockey game, visiting Point Pleasant, and having dinner in Hoboken.
All the visiting students are the equivalent of juniors in their school system, and along with the sightseeing, they shared a few surprises. Siena K. learned that our state is a leading producer of blueberries. Gabby W. discovered our “lovely” local bagels. Brooke B. said she was pleased to see how close students are to their teachers at Oak Knoll. Sophia C. and Lily S. noted the less formal vibe in our school classrooms, as opposed to a more formal teacher/student relationship in the UK.
The exchange students’ British chaperone, Mrs. Fletcher, complimented the mission of both schools and said, “I think the similarity between our schools is how both put the girls at the center of what’s important.” She was also impressed with the leadership Oak Knoll students demonstrate and that Mayfield is working at finding similar opportunities to give their student voices more opportunities to be heard.
“Seeing students stand up there comfortably, leading assemblies, leading prayer, running the homeroom; I think that’s something that we could definitely learn from and take back,” Fletcher concluded.
Learning from each other in person, sharing cultures, and seeking commonalities is the goal of Oak Knoll’s Holy Child Exchanges and the school’s Global Learning Program. Students have the opportunity to understand other cultures while promoting peace, greater understanding, and appreciation for others.
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