International Exchanges
Grade 9 students have an opportunity to participate in a school exchange, putting the Academies’ pluralist ethos into practice. During their semester abroad, they experience life on a different campus, in a new country. This widens their perspective and generates cross-cultural friendships, while in their turn enriching the culture of the host Academy.
“The education that the Academies offer will engender a pluralist worldview. It is one which values differences of outlook, ethnicity, and religion and culture, yes in the interest of justice and fairness, but also because a temperament receptive to pluralism helps creativity, curiosity and inquiry, to thrive in sharing the best human knowledge and talent from whatever individual, or group, it originates.”
His Highness the Aga Khan, Foundation Ceremony of the Aga Khan Academy in Maputo (June 24, 2004)
A Home From Home
The common curriculum and the use of English as a language of instruction ensure that participants can easily continue their studies. Alongside their academic work, they explore culture, values and identity in weekly sessions to better understand themselves and others. Out of class, they use their time to the full with campus activities, cultural events and field trips. But many recall that their favourite moments were eating with host students, picking up phrases in new languages and chatting with their roommates about their lives.
“Exchange students are simultaneously regular students, and explorers of a new country and new culture, seeking to broaden and deepen their understanding of the world and themselves.”
Elizabeth MacFarlane, International Exchange Manager, 2019
Exploring
a New Country
Exploring a New Country
Students from Mombasa spent their first weekend on a tour of the old city of Hyderabad. They visited ancient mosques and palaces, observed Hindu and Shia festivals and tasted the local food. Student visitors to Kenya explored maritime conservation areas and national parks, visited markets, villages, historic forts and ruins, met local communities – and tried out some watersports.
As the network grows, Academies in new countries will join the exchange scheme, offering further opportunities for cross-cultural links.
Stories
Mombasa to Hyderabad
“I wanted to be part of the Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad community back in 2016. I believed the Academy would expose me to a variety of curricular and extracurricular opportunities and experiences. Little did I know that after being accepted into AKA Hyderabad that my journey would go way beyond what I originally anticipated. The Academy has provided me with a platform to thrive. Not only have I grown as a student, but also as a person. I've begun to take my roles and responsibilities as a global citizen more seriously. The diverse culture of the Academy allowed me to meet people from around the globe who are equally passionate about what they do. School has generated a sense of appreciation for community and service, a sense of gratitude towards the opportunities I have received, a sense of rumination for everything I am exposed to and a zeal for being a better person each day. The International Baccalaureate curriculum offered by the Academy is rigorous yet unique and highly rewarding as it develops holistic learners. This goes hand in hand with the vision and mission of the Academy. Lifelong learners with a pluralistic mindset, moral reasoning and compassion are developed to enact change in the world around us. I consider myself fortunate to be a part of an institution that instills these values and characteristics in me and today’s youth. I am grateful to be able to still reap the benefits of the decision I made to attend the Academy four years ago.”Mahek Charania, Diploma Programme 1 student, Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
Hyderabad to Mombasa
“The Aga Khan has been a household name for me from a young age. Growing up, my grandfather would tell me stories about working at His Highness the Aga Khan’s stud farms in Ireland. When my cousins moved to Kenya and began attending the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa, I visited them several times. I always knew I wanted to end up living and working in Africa.Walking to work in the freezing cold and rain in Ireland always made me long for Africa, so I made the decision to try and make the move. I searched online for job openings within the Aga Khan Academies and to my delight the Aga Khan Academy Maputo was looking for a Visual Arts Teacher. I was further drawn to the idea of working for the Academy due to the fantastic curriculum on offer. The International Baccalaureate strongly promotes pluralism, cultural enrichment, inclusion and leadership to create a better world for all. The Rebalancing Programme the Academy offers is also something I was very keen to learn more about and get involved with. Providing students from different socioeconomic backgrounds with opportunities to be educated in a phenomenal setting is very important.
I was ecstatic to receive my confirmation. I began working from Ireland due to the COVID-19 travel restrictions but have enjoyed every minute of it. The Aga Khan Academy Maputo is a hard-working family, the staff are fantastic and have made me feel like I have always been a part of the team and the students are phenomenal, engaging and dedicated. I will miss my family and friends when I move to Mozambique, but I am truly excited to begin this new adventure.”
Rachael Odwyer, Visual Arts Teacher, Aga Khan Academy Maputo
The Right Decision (w/CTA Link)