Hosting Jack- An Experience

It was on a chilly February morning that our guests From Reepham College set foot on Indian soil. I remember quite vividly, my feelings as I waited anxiously for their arrival. As one of the lucky students selected for a foreign exchange program, I was all set to host my exchange partner from Britain. However, I was filled with a deep sense of apprehension. What if I was not up to his expectations? What if we did not get along? What if we had nothing in Common?

But after a few minutes with Jack Rolph, I realized that I had nothing to fear. I can still remember that warm and friendly smile as he came up to greet me. We lost no time in telling each other about ourselves and in a matter of a day; I felt that I had known him for a long time. The week that followed was a fun packed learning experience. Besides taking him to tourist spots, we also attended classes together. Jack is an enigmatic and friendly individual who is extremely intelligent and well versed in many fields. My exchanges with him taught me many valuable lessons, which I shall never forget. He is the kind of person who is genuinely affectionate and appreciative. Whether it was having lunch with him, touring different spots, drawing shell diagrams with him or debating with him, I found his company extremely pleasant. I had the privilege of taking him through the Indian culture, which intrigued him. In turn, I learnt a lot about his culture, which I must say, is fundamentally similar to ours.

This indeed, is the very purpose of a program like the Global School Partnership; to foster a sense of brotherhood and cultural harmony.

By Chandrashekar Sriram