AFS India started Interstate Regional Exchange Program to give regional cultural learning to the students of schools within India. The program facilitates exchanges between different schools, giving them an opportunity to learn about different cultures, languages, lifestyles that exist in the country by engaging the students into various extracurricular activities and other learning process such as art, craft, music, dance, calligraphy etc.
Between Queens College Indore (Sending) and Sunbeam School, Lahartara (Hosting)
By Urvashi Lalwani, Student, Queens College, Indore
“Happy moments…all classrooms don’t have four walls…Elated experiences
I have always wanted to be an exchange student my whole high school life. I got to know about Intercultural exchange program with Sunbeam School Varanasi, I applied and was selected for it. I was so excited and happy, researched about Varanasi in books and internet and was soon packing for the journey to begin. AFS gave me this great opportunity to explore this beautiful land of temples and Ghats. My journey commenced in December 2017 with lots of excitement, hope and happiness. We were welcomed with open arms at Sunbeam School. We had interactive sessions with the Dean, the Principal, the Coordinators and the Council Members.
We visited different universities, The Sanskrit university, Banaras Hindu University. I was fascinated by the Artifacts preserved in the beautifully museums. My favorite was going to the local areas of Banaras. I was mesmerized to see the culture and heritage of Banaras which lies in the narrow streets, food stalls and temples.
I can never forget the most astonishing and ravishing part of my exchange, Subah-e-Banaras. I could never imagine early morning to be so good.
Sunbeam school, Varanasi, Lahartara treated me and my friends like own students in another part of the country. Everyone was warm, open and never hesitant to help.
It was the best time of my life and I will always remember how choosing to go out and discover What my own country has in store for me was life changing and will be something I will always cherish.
Thank you AFS and QUEENS’ COLLEGE for giving this wonderful opportunity.”