You will never be completely at home
again, because part of your heart will be elsewhere. That is the price you pay
for the richness of being a part of an exchange programme. Crossing an extra
mile to facilitate its students with the best of education has always been a
forte of the fraternity of St. Xavier’s High School, Gurugram. Following the
same, a Russian Exchange Programme was organized by the school. As a part of
it, the students of St. Xavier’s visited Russia in the month of October 2017
and it was now Russians turn to experience the rich tradition, heritage and
culture of India.
After a cordial welcome of the Russian
delegates on 22nd January 2018, the students were picked up by the
host families. In the morning,the team of thirty two Russian students along
with their four teachers were given an amiable welcome at St. Xavier’s High
School, Gurugram. Being a cultural exchange programme, the welcome too was in a
complete Indian way i.e. the traditional tilak and garland ceremony of the
delegates. In honour of the guests, a welcome assembly was organized wherein
not only the Xavierians, the Russian students also performed. They presented
‘Flash Mob’ with great zeal and enthusiasm. The guests were given an opportunity
to witnessed the gala event of the school i.e. Annual Function: ‘Allusion
Galore Indegenous 2017-18.’ Each lip just praised and stated that it was really
a worthy experience.
The Russian Guests were here from
January 22nd to 28th of the month. During this time
period, with the prospect of familiarizing the guests with Indian culture, a
gamut of activities had been designed for them which included hands on Indian
Cooking, Flavor of Indian art: Flower Making, English Grammar and Poetry, Theatre,
Yoga and Music classes, photography session wherein the guests wore Indian attires
and took their pictures home as memories from India. Expressions of dance and
art were also showcased to the guests who appreciated and lived happy moments
in the school campus.
As the visit was highly focused on
giving and gaining knowledge of cross country culture and traditions, the
students were taken to Akshardham which is termed as the ‘divine abode of God.’
They were also taken to Agra to see the Wonder of the World, ‘The Taj’. Not
only this, to give them a true insight of Indian culture and history, they were
also taken for Delhi Darshan.
Sports inculcate spirit de corps. On the
Republic Day, a friendly match between the Xavierians and Russian guests was
also organized. The guests were applauded for their outstanding performance and
were presented with a trophy as a token of our love and hospitality.
The Exchange Programme, as with most
such activities is a platform for learning not only for the guests but also for
the students of the host school. It taught the students how, under various
guises of nation and skin and many more, all of us are human beings - children
of the same world.
We
are the world, We are the children.