Exchanges

From left: Exchange teacher Lena Dobrydnyeva (Ukraine), GHS Russian teacher Jan Eklund, exchange teacher Irina Lobarchuk (Ukraine), GHS Russian teacher Lynne Campbell. The Glastonbury High School community hosted teachers and students from France and Ukraine in March 2005.

Glastonbury High School students studying French, Russian, or Spanish have the opportunity to improve their language skills, experience foreign cultures, and make lasting friendships with native speakers by participating in our exchanges. Currently, GHS hosts students from, and sends students to, the following places:

* Madrid, Spain - Colegio Estudio

* Dinard, France - College LeBocage

* Russia and the Ukraine

Students from Spain usually come to Glastonbury in September, while GHS students go to Spain during the February or April vacations. Students from France arrive in Glastonbury in March and GHS students travel to France during the February or April vacations. The Russia/Ukraine exchange occurs once yearly on an alternating cycle and lasts for one month. The program is a tradition in Glastonbury, where middle school and high school students have been studying Russian since the early 1960s.

In each exchange, students live with host families, attend classes in the host country, and participate in a variety of cultural activities which they would not be able to experience in their home countries. The opportunity to connect with the local culture is what makes the greatest impression on students. One 2007 Spanish Exchange participant said that the exchange experience “has shown me that anyone, anywhere can be hospitable, and friendships can be made for a lifetime… I learned more life lessons than anything.” In the words of another student, “It was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.”

Due to the popularity of the exchanges, GHS students must undergo an application and interview process to be selected to travel on these trips.

During May 2007, Smith Middle School is hosting five students and two teachers from Colegio Integral El Avila in Caracas, Venezuela. The students are staying with Glastonbury families and attending class at SMS. The teachers are coordinating various activities with the seventh- and eighth-grade Spanish classes.

If you are interested in learning more about our exchange programs, please contact us.

Mrs. Rita Oleksak, Director of Foreign Languages & ELL

Spain - Ms. Katherine Ruddick, Ms. Kristen Passero

France - Dr. Adina Alexandru

Russia/Ukraine - Mrs. Lynne Campbell, Mrs. Jan Eklund