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We like Chennai: UK students

Meera Srinivasan

— PHOTO: M. VEDHAN

Exchanging ideas: (From) Samantha Hargrove and Sally Murray with T.M.J. Padmanabhan, Principal of Sindhi Model Senior Secondary School and students of the school in Chennai on Monday.

CHENNAI: For Sally Murray and Samantha Hargrove, students from the United Kingdom, it is a whole new experience here.

“We like Chennai so much more than New Delhi,” says Sally. The two students will be attending classes at Sindhi Model Senior Secondary School, Kilpauk, for about a week.

They are part of a student team visiting India through the UK Prime Minister’s Global Fellowship programme.

It is aimed at developing young British citizens’ global understanding, talent and enterprise through meaningful opportunities to engage effectively with other cultures and business environments.

After an orientation programme on Indian culture at the capital, the students went to their respective host schools where they would soon be working with local students on projects.

Later, they would also interact with multinational British and Indian firms to get a feel of operations.

Besides the “relatively less crowded roads” and the beach here, the students seem quite impressed with the level of academics.

“We attended Economics and Accountancy classes. The levels are advanced compared to what we learn back home,” says Samantha.

Along with students of Sindhi model they will work on projects relating to topics such as Carbon footprints.

“We want to compare how students from different countries look at a common issue,” she adds.

Staying with host families here is also providing a lot of learning. “From the rituals to the lifestyle, everything is very different. The food is also very different. But I quite like it,” says Sally.

Speaking on this initiative, T. M. J. Padmanabhan, Principal of Sindhi Model says: “This is a very enriching experience for both, the visiting students and students of our school.”

No matter where children are from, their ideas are similar and their views quite the same, he points out.

“We are also considering sending some of our students abroad on exchange programmes, as this kind of exposure will help.”

As many as hundred students aged 18-19 were selected to receive a first-hand opportunity to spend six weeks in India, China or Brazil.

Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan Senior Secondary School, Nungambakkam, Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan Senior Secondary School, K.K .Nagar, Lady Andal and Chettinad Vidyashram are the other city schools hosting students as part of this programme, which is being facilitated by the British Council.

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