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 also 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 Late Highness Aga Khan IV
Maputo, June 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. 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.
“In every case, we have seen the Exchange build confidence, character resilience, pluralism and lifelong friendships. Students return home with a more global mindset, higher levels of grit and a deeper understanding of themselves, their identity and a greater appreciation of the many cultures and identities of those around them.”
Eva Muriuki
International Exchange Programme Manager
Exploring a New Country
Students from Mombasa and Maputo spend their first weekend on a tour of the old city of Hyderabad. They visit ancient mosques and palaces, observe Hindu and Shia festivals and taste the local food. Student visitors to Kenya explore maritime conservation areas and national parks, visit markets, villages, historic forts and ruins, meet local communities, and try out some watersports. In Maputo, the students participate in city tours, practise their language skills in local markets, visit the beach and learn more about the history of the country.
Learn more about the Student Exchange Programme at our campuses in India, Kenya and Mozambique.
Mombasa to Hyderabad
“I participated in the Aga Khan Academies Student Exchange Programme at AKA Hyderabad. As a group from AKA Mombasa, we included people from Tajikistan, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and more, so we were already quite a diverse bunch. I really loved this because, although we all go to the same school in Mombasa, we became closer through the Exchange Programme and learnt a lot about each other.
Going to a new country far away from home is exciting, but it can also be a bit scary. It was my first time travelling outside of Africa, and I could not have asked for a better experience. I learnt a lot about being a minority in a foreign country, which really forced me to soak up all the culture around me. Overall, the entire experience was great, and I would encourage anyone who has the slightest interest to apply.”
Brandon Kanyerezi, Grade 10, AKA Mombasa
Hyderabad to Mombasa
“I remember the day we arrived in Mombasa, warmly welcomed at the airport by Grade 10 students and the Exchange Programme Coordinator. Everything exceeded my expectations. Students across all grades were friendly, dorm parents felt like family and the diverse community came together with a strong sense of belonging.
The Exchange Programme taught me a great deal about Mombasa’s cultures and history, where I even found similarities with my own culture. Exploring the beaches and tasting local food made it even more special.
One of my most memorable moments was bonding with classmates. I specifically remember sitting with two friends from AKA Mombasa, one from Tajikistan and one from Mombasa. We talked about how our journeys have been so far at the Academy. Personally, for me, every day of the Exchange Programme was memorable.”
Nasreen Azimi, Grade 10, AKA Hyderabad
