Five Questions for our Visiting Exchange Students
The personal learning and growth that result from cross-cultural sharing experiences are an essential part of Lakefield’s Global Learning Program. The Grade 10 Exchange Program is a prime example of this goal. As a member of Round Square, LCS Grade 10’s are able to participate in exchanges with students from more than two-hundred RS Schools around the world.
This past term, we’ve had the pleasure of hosting two visiting exchange students, Emily Hazledine from Scarborough College in North Yorkshire, a county in the UK, and Marit Kock from Louisenlund in northern Germany. Since their arrival in Canada on Thanksgiving weekend, both girls have attended LCS as day students. Marit has lived with the family of her exchange partner, Rowan Harris-Stoertz, while Emily has enjoyed a home-stay with the family of her host student, Olivia Geloso. Rowan and Olivia will travel to Germany and the UK, respectively, for 8 to 10-week, exchange visits to their partners’ schools during the spring term.
Recently, Gerry Bird posed five questions to Emily and Marit in an effort to find out how they’ve enjoyed and benefitted from their exchange experience. Their answers are copied below.
Note: Mr. Bird will be meeting with the Grade 9 students during one of their Elements classes next week, to introduce next year’s Grade 10 (Round Square) Exchange Program and explain the application process. Students, if you’re currently in Grade 9, hopefully Marit’s and Emily’s insights, below, will encourage you to think seriously about applying to go on exchange next year! Application packages will be available soon and the deadline for submitting them is Friday, February 21st, 2020.
This past term, we’ve had the pleasure of hosting two visiting exchange students, Emily Hazledine from Scarborough College in North Yorkshire, a county in the UK, and Marit Kock from Louisenlund in northern Germany. Since their arrival in Canada on Thanksgiving weekend, both girls have attended LCS as day students. Marit has lived with the family of her exchange partner, Rowan Harris-Stoertz, while Emily has enjoyed a home-stay with the family of her host student, Olivia Geloso. Rowan and Olivia will travel to Germany and the UK, respectively, for 8 to 10-week, exchange visits to their partners’ schools during the spring term.
Recently, Gerry Bird posed five questions to Emily and Marit in an effort to find out how they’ve enjoyed and benefitted from their exchange experience. Their answers are copied below.
Note: Mr. Bird will be meeting with the Grade 9 students during one of their Elements classes next week, to introduce next year’s Grade 10 (Round Square) Exchange Program and explain the application process. Students, if you’re currently in Grade 9, hopefully Marit’s and Emily’s insights, below, will encourage you to think seriously about applying to go on exchange next year! Application packages will be available soon and the deadline for submitting them is Friday, February 21st, 2020.
1. What can you tell us about your own school?
Emily: Scarborough College is a school located on the coast of North Yorkshire, a county in the UK. It is a co-ed, boarding school that begins in pre-school (age 3) and ends with sixth form (age 18). In secondary school, from years 7 to 11, students take the GCSE exams and in year 13 (upper sixth form) they take the IB exams. Like Lakefield, my school is very diverse. It is attended by students from over 40 countries and has a very inclusive atmosphere. We have three sports fields, each able to house two rugby pitches, two sports halls, an AstroTurf field, and many other sports facilities, as well as the academic buildings.
Marit: My school is in the north of Germany in Schleswig Holstein. Louisenlund is a boarding school and most students live on campus, as do I. That's why I wanted to exchange with a host family. We have a primary school (Grades 1-4) as well as a secondary school (Grades 5-12). The primary school in particular is used intensively by local children. In the twelfth year of school, the Abitur exam is written as a preparation for university. The campus of Louisenlund is very scenic. The school is located directly on the Schlei, a branch of the Baltic Sea, and the castle – which Prince Charles of Hesse-Kassel had constructed between 1772 and 1776 as a gift for his wife, Princess Louise of Denmark - is architecturally very beautiful. We have a large sports hall and a sports field, which is also called "The Holy Lawn".
2. How have you enjoyed your time at Lakefield College School, and what are the biggest differences between LCS and your own school?
Emily: I have loved my time here and, if I could stay, I would! The school is incredible and the grounds are beautiful. Classes have been interesting and inspiring while also being quite different from at home. But the best thing is the people. The teachers and students are all extremely inclusive and work hard for the happiness of others. I will miss the people I have met here but will definitely keep in touch. Some of the biggest differences between my school and LCS are the grounds and the opportunities. The grounds are huge at Lakefield and there are a variety of different pitches, courts and gyms. This makes having a variety of co-curriculars easier and there are many that I have really enjoyed – like playing basketball and intramural, SLASH hockey for the first time!
Marit: My time at Lakefield College School was super nice. Everyone was extremely friendly to Emily and me; they welcomed us with open arms. I made a lot of new friends here. I also enjoyed the atmosphere at Lakefield very much. Everything is so relaxed here! One of the biggest differences is that you have the opportunity to do a lot of sports, which I like very much. This is not always possible at Louisenlund, due to the length of the school days, which typically are longer than at LCS.
3. What have been the greatest challenges you’ve faced over the course of your exchange? The biggest rewards?
Emily: I found that one of the biggest challenges was taking part in co-curriculars. Some of the activities that I signed up for are things that I would never do at home. But being in a new place, with new people, inspired me to push the boundaries and try new things, resulting in memories that I will cherish forever.
Marit: At first, I had the biggest difficulties with the language. I always thought I had good English, but when I came here, I realized what speaking English really meant. So, in the beginning, I had a problem with the language barrier because it was hard for me to express myself. Fortunately, however, this has improved a lot over time. Of course, I missed my family and friends from home too, but luckily, I didn't really feel homesick. The best thing here is probably that I found some really great friends to connect with. We also plan to visit each other.
4. Have you changed as a result of your exchange experience? If so, how?
Emily: I think I have developed more self-confidence and have discovered that I can take care of myself. I stepped out of my comfort zone and discovered more about myself because of it.Marit: I think I have become a bit more independent, simply because my family and friends at home are not just around the corner. Instead, I’ve had to work at meeting new people and practice makes perfect! I had more inhibitions about approaching people before my exchange than afterwards. It has to be said that the students at Lakefield made it easy for us to get to know one another. I can't even say how many students simply approached me during the first few days and asked me about my impression so far, so I felt welcome right away. I also think that the exchange has considerably broadened my horizon of experience. There were just so many “firsts”, like the first time flying alone, the first time in Canada, the first time for a longer time away from home and living with a foreign family. Moreover, the exchange taught me how important it is to be oneself.
5. Would you recommend an exchange to other students?
Emily: Absolutely! It may seem scary at first with the travelling alone and the new people but it is totally worth it. The people I have met and the things I have done are things that will stay with me forever and things that I will look back on fondly. I have loved my time here and am kind of sad to be leaving but will always remember my time in Canada.
Marit: I would highly recommend this. It is very enriching to exchange with people from another country and to get to know the other culture.
School Information
4391 County Road 29, Lakefield Ontario K0L 2H0 705.652.3324 admissions@lcs.on.ca
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Lakefield College School is a private, coeducational boarding and day school for students in grades 9 through 12, located in Lakefield, Ontario, Canada.
We respectfully acknowledge that Lakefield College School is located on the Treaty 20 Michi Saagiig territory and in the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig and Chippewa Nations, collectively known as the Williams Treaties First Nations, which include: Curve Lake, Hiawatha, Alderville, Scugog Island, Rama, Beausoleil, and Georgina Island First Nations. Lakefield College School respectfully acknowledges that the Williams Treaties First Nations are the stewards and caretakers of these lands and waters in perpetuity and that they continue to maintain this responsibility to ensure their health and integrity for generations to come.
We respectfully acknowledge that Lakefield College School is located on the Treaty 20 Michi Saagiig territory and in the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig and Chippewa Nations, collectively known as the Williams Treaties First Nations, which include: Curve Lake, Hiawatha, Alderville, Scugog Island, Rama, Beausoleil, and Georgina Island First Nations. Lakefield College School respectfully acknowledges that the Williams Treaties First Nations are the stewards and caretakers of these lands and waters in perpetuity and that they continue to maintain this responsibility to ensure their health and integrity for generations to come.
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