On November 12th, we met at the airport at 4.15 am. The plane ride was smooth and relaxing, and we landed in Mumbai at 10 am. Upon arrival, we were warmly greeted by the school’s security guard and driven to the school in a school bus. Once there, we were welcomed with open arms by our exchange partners. From the very start, we connected and quickly formed strong friendships.
After the introductions, we joined regular school lessons for a while. Later, we spent some time alone with our partners, heading to their homes to meet their families. However, our day didn’t end there. That evening, we met up again and visited the Gateway of India, an iconic landmark in Mumbai, marking the perfect end to our first day.
The second day began early once again, as we headed to Sanjay Gandhi National Park. There, we went on a hike, during which we learned about various animal and plant species. We saw unique wildlife, including different kinds of butterflies and spiders, and even discussed our findings with the tour guide afterwards. Following that, we had lunch and visited a tribe that resides within the park, offering a fascinating glimpse into their way of life.
On the third day, we were finally able to sleep in a little. At around 8 am, we met at school and made our way to Maharashtra Nature Park. There, we delved into learning about countless species of butterflies and plants. After spending about four hours exploring, we wrapped up the visit and headed to the beach. Although the beach was a bit dirty due to low tide, it didn’t dampen our spirits—we still had a fantastic time together, making more memories with our friends.
On the last day, we focused on preparing presentations about the pros and cons of animals living in a big city. After presenting our work, it was time to say goodbye. Parting ways was hard and emotional, but this exchange was an unforgettable experience, and we are eagerly counting down the days until we reunite with our friends in February.
Chester Collier (grade 10)
