Student Exchange – an idea worth considering

Exchange based on strict reciprocity with partners.


Objective

The organization AADI, www.aadi-mx.org, originally based in Brittany, is developing its activities beyond this beautiful region with the aim of promoting relations and cooperation between France and contemporary India, both in terms of culture and especially the festival Annual ARMOR INDIA, as well as at the school/university level with internships of students in India and especially exchanges between schools of France and India. Launched 3-4 years ago, a dozen exchanges are now operational and several are being planned and set up in Brittany and also in Compiègne and in the Paris region. The following colleges have participated in our Exchange Programs. The Indian High Schools and Colleges based in Mumbai and Pune, for example, Colleges Saint Xavier, Narsee Monjee, Jamnabai International, Fergusson, Symbiosis, etc. We want to extend our Exchange Programs to other states and cities of India, and already have contacts in West Bengal, Delhi, Bhopal, Bangalore amongst others. The process and the results of these exchanges are excellent. We are confident that their spin-offs are positive and lasting. We want to contribute to a better and more current perception of the 2 countries and their potential for cooperation, beyond the clichés, thus benefitting the young people of today who will be in charge tomorrow.

The following colleges have participated in our Exchange Programs. The Indian High Schools and Colleges based in Mumbai and Pune, for example, Colleges Saint Xavier, Narsee Monjee, Jamnabai International, Fergusson, Symbiosis, etc. We want to extend our Exchange Programs to other states and cities of India, and already have contacts in West Bengal, Delhi, Bhopal, Bangalore amongst others. The process and the results of these exchanges are excellent. We are confident that their spin-offs are positive and lasting. We want to contribute to a better and more current perception of the 2 countries and their potential for cooperation, beyond the clichés, thus benefitting the young people of today who will be in charge tomorrow.

The process and the results of these exchanges are excellent. We are confident that their spin-offs are positive and lasting. We want to contribute to a better and more current perception of the 2 countries and their potential for cooperation, beyond the clichés, thus benefitting the young people of today who will be in charge tomorrow.


Outline of the programme

These are language exchanges, based on strict reciprocity (i.e. students of both countries visit and stay with their correspondents), which consists of stays of about 15 days in the families of the correspondents, and programs agreed between the partners (and often on the French side, with one or two days to Paris).


Dates and Schedule

The Indian students come to France in May (or at the beginning of June if it is an International School, which follows the curriculum IB) while the French students go to India in August, or October or December of the same year. Other periods are possible depending on the partners' mutual choices. Levels considered: Junior College and above, with corresponding levels in French High Schools. Some exchanges, less numerous, are done with younger levels: 8th and 9th standard, which may require certain adjustments regarding the duration, programs etc.

Levels considered: Junior College and above, with corresponding levels in French High Schools.

On rare occasions, some exchanges are done with younger levels: 8th and 9th standard, which may require certain adjustments regarding the duration, programs etc.


Experience

Students are immersed in families, participate in school activities and spend their free time either with host families or in group activities organized by their respective schools. The pupils are accommodated by the families of their correspondents, and the accompanying teachers by their fellow partners or families of their entourage.

The size of groups: generally 15 to 20 students/students (25 being almost a maximum) and 2 to 3 accompanying teachers. - Costs: each partner bears the cost of the trip to the host country. The rest is then taken care of by the host institution. It is possible to obtain free visas on both sides. We have of course the support of the Embassy of India in France as well as the French embassy in India (and the consular representations, starting with Bombay), which facilitates some procedural aspects.


The role of AADI

AADI www.aadi-mx.org organizes the selection of schools, the setting up of interactions, the preparation of French families, etc. entirely on a voluntary basis, and which builds on our intercultural knowledge and the networks we have acquired for many years, including 10 Years based in Bombay and regular trips. AADI also promotes the sharing of experience between teams in order to create an informal network and to maximise this exchange.

Jean Claude Breton

PRÉSIDENT, AADI / ARMOR INDIA
My personal Indo-french history is old and has culminated in my 10 years posting in India - principally Mumbai - as Country manager of a french MNC.
I am now entirely dedicated to promoting mutual and fruitful cooperation between contemporary India and France, in cultural, education and economic sectors, through our association AADI and soon our newly born and institutional Indo-french Institute of Brittany( IFIb), of which I am the President.
Since 2013 we have successfully facilitated and organised a dozen of Colleges exchanges, which have implied so far 300 students on each Indian and french side.

Disclaimer: The views and information posted here belong to the author or respective companies and institutions and IFH is not responsible for its content or accuracy.

9 Comments

  1. Sunita PopliMay 23, 2022

    Hi, I would like to arrange for a student exchange for my students of French. I am currently teaching students of standard5, 6,7,8 in Pratap public school sector 6 karnal Haryana. It would be virtual or offline. However, this time we would like to go with virtual program
    Kindly provide details.
    Sunita Popli
    9896801726

    Reply
  2. Saachi AhujaJuly 17, 2020

    Hello, i am a class 12th student. i would love to be a part of exchange programme to france , i have been a constant learner of french since 2013. Please please reply me as soon as possible and help me out .
    -Saachi Ahuja-9999757093
    email id- saachibelle@gmail.com

    Reply
    1. Bijal MenonJuly 17, 2020

      Hello Saachi.
      It was a pleasure to connect with you over a phone call. As discussed we will keep up updated about the programs.

  3. Khalida QureshiJune 17, 2019

    I am Khalida Qureshi. I have come to know of your organisation through an online search. Our organisation Heritage Xperiential Learning School is one of the reputed schools in the city of Gurgaon, India. Our school has two curricula one is the National Curriculum and the other is International Baccalaureate. We are already doing a successful French Exchange Program for the National curriculum , the name of the Host school is Lycée Edmond Doucet in Équeurdreville-Hainneville , As no school does two program hence this French school would not welcome us twice. Hence we are looking for a school to connect for a program with our International Baccalaureate group.

    I am sure that the program will be beneficial to both of our schools and could help in establishing long term relations. Do let me know if your school would like to get into an association with Heritage Xperiential Learning School so that I may share more details with you.

    The link of our school website is given below for your reference.

    http://heritagexperiential.org/

    Thanks and Regards
    Educator – Chemistry_IGCSE and IBDP
    Coordinator CAS Heritage Xperiential Learning School, Gurugram
    Sector-62, Gurgaon
    Phone: +91-9899947294

    Reply
  4. sunitaJune 1, 2018

    Dear Sir/Madam,
    Greetings for the day!!!
    I am Sunita Kaushik from GD Goenka International School Rohtak, India . To introduce ourselves- GD Goenka International School Rohtak is one of the finest school in North India working under aegis of GD Goenka Group, New Delhi. We have more than 32 branches across India.
    It is known worldwide that student exchange program is one of the best way to learn about different culture, different education system and amazing live in experience in different social environment .Therefore , I request you to guide us for either one or two way student exchange programs.
    The GD Goenka International School provides a curriculum and amenities adapted to the needs and aspirations of each student. To add one more step towards independent growth of a student ,school management would like to do student exchange program in academic session 2018-19.
    Sunita Kaushik
    7015007709/8950667321

    Reply
  5. VibhaOctober 25, 2017

    Hi, I would like to arrange for a student exchange for my students of French. I am currently teaching students of standard 6,7,8,9,10 in Welham Girls’ School, Dehradun. It is a well known and prestigious full boarding residential school for girls situated at the foot of the Himalayas. My students have been going to France on educational excursions organised by the Alliance Francaise, Rouen.

    Reply
    1. Indo French HubJune 3, 2018

      Bonjour Vibha,
      As per our telephonic conversation before few months, I have forwarded your school details and requirements for the exchange program. Will update you shortly regarding the same.
      Thanks
      Bijal

    2. Indo French HubJune 3, 2018

      Dear Sunita,
      Thank you for contacting us. We have noted your requirement and will get in touch with you in the coming week.
      Thanks
      Bijal

    3. sunitaJuly 10, 2018

      thankyou sir

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