Exchange students have the opportunity to participate in a wide range of activities at the host Academy where they can share their culture with their peers.
Student Exchange Programme
Students in Grade 9 can spend a semester at another Academy in the network, continuing their Diploma preparation uninterrupted. As they make new friends in novel surroundings, they will experience the cultural diversity and range of perspectives needed to contribute to a multicultural world.
“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, Maputo, Mozambique, 24 June 2004
foundation stone-laying ceremony for the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
foundation stone-laying ceremony for the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
What Do Students Gain?
Exchange participants build their confidence, independence and intercultural communication skills, helping with their upcoming transition to university or career.
They increase their understanding of their own and other cultural identities, adapting to new settings and working with diverse groups.
With structured activities ranging from cultural nights to safaris, plus time with host families and lots of opportunities to socialise, students pack their time abroad with memorable experiences and lifelong friendships.
As more Academies are built and the exchange programme expands, students will form relationships with young people across the world.
Photo Gallery
During the programme, exchange students work with their peers at the host Academy, building their communication and collaboration skills.
Students form strong life-long bonds with each other during the Student Exchange Programme.
“This programme with AKA Hyderabad was an amazing opportunity to express myself as an individual with different beliefs. There was a lot of sharing of values between everyone as we were all getting to know and understand each other. We were able to do this easily because of the core value of pluralism that is part of our everyday life across the Academies.”
Mwanapwani Said, Grade 10 student, Aga Khan Academy Mombasa,
participated in the Student Exchange Programme in 2019
participated in the Student Exchange Programme in 2019
A growing programme
“During the Aga Khan Academies Student Exchange Programme, I was in the fortunate position of watching the programme unfold in both Kenya and India as I moved between the Academies. It is a remarkable experience to watch students’ personal journeys in two different countries, beginning with trepidation and excitement at the airport, to the welcome by new roommates, their adjustment to a new learning environment, and their curiosity and growing confidence as their travels engage them with a new culture.
In 2019, during the second year of the programme, students participated fully in every aspect of campus life: from football tournaments to theatre, from community service to Model United Nations’ committees. The increased length of the programme, from 7 to 13 weeks, let students embed themselves deeply in the host Academy. They became integral members of their grade group and built strong relationships with teachers and peers.
With more weekends, an October break that allowed field trips and a longer residential trip, participants frequently ventured beyond the Academies’ walls, gaining rich exposure to the host community and wider country. From visiting eighth-century temple sites in Tamil Nadu, to beach cleanups on Kenya’s south coast, to time spent cooking with host families in Mombasa, and exploring social enterprises at the experimental township of Auroville, these students had many opportunities to connect their classroom learning and campus experiences of local culture to the country and people beyond the Academy.
The second exchange was a significant step towards establishing the programme as a rite of passage for Grade 9 students, one that will prepare them for future leadership roles in a diverse world. It is exciting to see the number of exchange alumni grow, as they embody the global character of the Aga Khan Academies.”
Elizabeth MacFarlane, International Exchange Manager
Exploring diverse cultures
“In August 2019 I, along with 16 other students, participated in the Aga Khan Academies Student Exchange Programme where I got to study at the Aga Khan Academy in Hyderabad, India. As a group, we had people from Tajikistan, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo and more so we were already quite the diverse bunch and to top it all off, we found more diversity at AKA Hyderabad.
I really loved this very much because there is always so much you can learn from people who are different from you. One thing that brought all of the students together with everyone at AKA Hyderabad was that most of us weren’t from Hyderabad. Whether home was Afghanistan or England or another part of India, I can confidently say we learnt a lot, had fun and, even at times, bonded over missing home.
Going to a country that is far away from home was really exciting but also a little bit scary if I’m being honest. It was also my first time out of Africa, but I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. I was able to learn a lot about being a minority and a foreigner, but that really forced me to soak up all the culture and learn a lot. I do wish I embraced it a bit more because who knows when I’ll go again. However, I feel like that is what made the experience so special – the fact that I would probably never go there again. Overall, this was a great experience and I would encourage anyone who has the slightest interest (which you should) to apply.”
Brandon Kanyerezi, Grade 10 student, Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
Venturing out of my comfort zone
“Adventure has always been something that scared me until I went for the Aga Khan Academies Student Exchange Programme at the Aga Khan Academy in Mombasa, Kenya in 2019. Accepting the challenge to try to situate myself in a new place and to develop resilience within me gave me the opportunity to be an exchange student. This programme gives opportunities to students so they can broaden their worldview perspective with an ease in studying abroad as a common curriculum is followed.
Campus life is an important part of the Student Exchange Programme. Immersing oneself in a brand-new culture, learning a new language, understanding the complexity of the world around you and making new friends is the advantage of being an exchange student. I got to explore Mombasa, specifically coastal areas through an excursion to the ocean conservation centre, and visit historic forts, ruins, national parks and local villages.
During our October break I stayed with the designated host family, which was by itself a fascinating and enriching experience for me. The host family helped me understand local customs and culture of people living in their town. Just like a family member, I was invited to be a part of their family reunion event. I found a home away from home.”
Ayaan Ajaney, Grade 10 student, Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad