Four Questions with Paul Runza
Grade 10 student, Paul Runza spent the last eight weeks on exchange in Kenya.
What have you been up to for the past week weeks?
When I first arrived in Kenya, I was greeted by the head of the boarding program at Brookhouse School who came to pick me up from the airport in Nairobi. From there, I was taken to the school for a good night sleep after the long flight. The first week was hard because I missed home, but once I made friends and became more familiar with the school, it got easier and easier. During the first weekend I went to an animal orphanage, which was basically a zoo, that was home to various African animals. The following day I enjoyed hanging out with my exchange partner and his friends and went go-karting for the first time, which was a blast. Part way through my stay, my geography class had a field trip to the Maasai Mara, a huge wildlife reserve, where we learned about the impacts of tourism on the reserve. Later, during our half-term break, I went on a school trip to Mombasa on the southeast coast of Kenya where I was able to go jet skiing, snorkeling, go-karting and to a water park.
What have been the most challenging and most rewarding aspects of your exchange, thus far?
Early on, the most challenging part of my exchange was adapting to the culture and the Kenyan way of learning, because depending on the school, it can be a very different type of learning experience. But when you get used to the teaching and learning styles, it can actually be helpful and rewarding. I think it will be of use to me later at LCS, because if we are studying a similar topic or using the same learning technique, then I will already be used to it from my experience abroad. Another rewarding aspect was that, because I was an exchange student and different than everyone else at the school, I found that it was easy to make friends because people wanted to get to know me.
Have you experienced any personal growth as a result of your exchange experience? If so, how do you feel you have changed?
I have become far more self-confident, after being used to travelling and problem-solving on my own. I also feel better about myself and feel more comfortable and confident being in situations where I am far from home, without the direct support of my family.
Would you recommend an exchange to other LCS students who might be considering it?
Yes, I would most definitely recommend exchange to other LCS students. The amount of personal growth you experience and the opportunity to learn first-hand about a new country and culture is phenomenal!
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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