By Christine de Kock
FOOTSCRAY City Primary will set up a student exchange program with a school based in southern Vietnam.
Principal Natalie Bakai flew out of Melbourne last Wednesday to arrange the program with the principal of Truong Tieu Hoc Phuoc Tien, which is based in the province of Nah Trang.
“I will work with the school and with the province over the next week and set up the sister school relationship,” Ms Bakai said.
“It’s broader than an exchange program and will be about sharing customs and cultures, as well.”
She expected the exchange program to start next year, and this year’s grade four students will be given the option of taking part.
“Once they elect to go they will begin having Vietnamese conversational classes,” Ms Bakai said.
“We have Vietnamese as a language other than English at the school, but once they elect to go to Vietnam they will have additional classes.
“It’s about having conversations with children and adults.”
Students will spend two weeks in Vietnam, accompanied by teachers.
And parents will be given the option of joining the expedition.
Ms Bakai said that all participants in the project would need to pay their travel expenses.
Students will travel overseas at the end of the school year and will attend school for a week in Vietnam.
They will spend a second week touring the region.
The children will stay in a hotel offering an internet connection, which will help them keep in touch with their parents via e-mail.
“Because they are quite young, we have to make sure that at the end of day they are back with staff and talking about their experiences, and getting the most out of it,” Ms Bakai said.
“It could be a bit overwhelming for students if they are in classes all day with non-English-speaking people, and all night as well.”
She said the project had been welcomed by students and staff.
“It will be a fantastic experience, culturally, for the kids.”
