By Margaux
Grade & Group: 6h Red
We are here in Mexico, but that doesn’t stop us from making friends all the way in Canada. Every year, our school organizes an exchange program with Canadian students, creating a highly anticipated experience for everyone involved. Fifth and sixth graders from our school have the chance to travel to Canada for a week or even longer, while Canadian students also come to visit us here in Mexico. Through this exchange, students from both countries have the opportunity to go on excursions, participate in activities together, and build lasting friendships.
The Canadian students come from a school in Trois-Rivières called Vision. At Vision, students learn English, Spanish, and, of course, French, which is the primary language for most of them. In the winter, they even have sports classes on the nearby ski slopes, which makes their school experience unique and very different from ours in Mexico. These skiing classes, along with their exposure to multiple languages, add an extra layer of excitement and learning to their academic life. This difference in school life allows us to appreciate the diversity of our experiences and gives us plenty of topics to discuss and learn about from each other.
Throughout the year, we stay connected by exchanging photos, videos, and messages. We keep each other updated about school life, sharing special events, holidays, and celebrations. For example, we send our Canadian friends pictures, videos, and descriptions of how we celebrate Halloween and the Day of the Dead, two important events in Mexican culture. In return, they share with us the unique ways they celebrate their holidays, such as Thanksgiving and their version of Halloween. These exchanges give us insights into each other’s traditions, and we learn so much about our differences as well as our similarities.
Through this exchange program, we not only make friends in another country but also develop a deeper understanding of each other’s cultures. It’s a meaningful experience that helps us appreciate diversity and builds a bridge
