August 2, 2007 - 8:45am
Nine high-school students from Amritsar, India are visiting Malaspina University-College as part of an important cultural tour.
“This visit is significant because this is only the second group of high school students ever to come to Canada from India for a program,” said Bronwyn Jenkins-Deas, dean of International Education. “It’s very exciting.”
The students (all 14 -15 years old) and their principal, Sangeeta Singh, arrived at Malaspina on Friday, July 27 and will be on campus until Thursday, August 9. This cultural program will include instruction at Malaspina, sightseeing, and living with local families during their stay.
The students will be visiting sites across the island and around Nanaimo, including trips to Victoria and Newcastle Island. They will be learning about First Nations culture and local history, as well as music and popular culture from local high school students who will be working with them during their stay.
“They are experiencing things they’ve never experienced before,” said Jenkins-Deas. “Canada is very culturally different, so the kids are a little overwhelmed, but they are having a great time and taking advantage of this fantastic opportunity.”
The Malaspina University-College Centre for Canadian Education had its grand opening in Delhi in March, 2007. The centre was established in recognition of the importance that India plays in the long-term objectives of Malaspina. It is because of that centre’s hard work that an agreement with the Delhi Public School (DPS) in Amritsar was reached in March for this visit.
“Our work in that region fits nicely with the provincial government’s plan for economic growth and trade with India,” said Jenkins-Deas. “We are very fortunate to be involved with the DPS system and we hope to have similar agreements with other campuses very soon.”
Tags: In the Community
