Travelling Abroad Through ISE Ontario

Monday, 12 August 2019 12:13

Ingersoll District Collegiate Institute's Adriana DeSylva entered a summer exchange program after ISE Ontario came to speak at her high school.I-S-E offers exchange programs in Switzerland, Germany and Italy for elementary and high school students.

INGERSOLL - International Student Exchanges Ontario gave one Ingersoll student an opportunity to go to France for 3 weeks.

16 year-old Adriana DeSylva is a student at Ingersoll District Collegiate Institute and she went on a 3 week exchange to France.

DeSylva says she enjoyed the experience.

"I would definitely recommend it to other people, just keep an open mind about learning. And they're learning too so don't be afraid to ask questions and talk."

She stayed with fellow exchange student Cyrielle just outside of Paris. DeSylva says the experience was a little scary at first, however she says Cyrielle's family was welcoming and understanding. She then returned home with Cyrielle who came to learn English for 3 weeks.

She entered a summer exchange program after ISE came to speak at her high school.

ISE Ontario offers exchange programs for students ages 13 to 17 across the province and in parts of Manitoba.

Student Support Manager Bryan Smith says making friends is among the benefits the program offers.

"Certainly you explore another country and certainly you make friends and you meet friends, but other things you do is you discover a lot about yourself and you discover all of the abilities that you have to go beyond what you have already done, not just in terms of where you've been but in terms of what you're capable of doing. So most students I talk to multiple years afterwards, they talk to me about these amazing success stories that they've had in their lives that they can relate to these exchanges."

Smith adds these programs give students confidence, builds problem-solving skills and connections with others.

While DeSylva and Cyrielle were in Canada, they visited places like Tobermory, Niagara Falls and the CN Tower.

ISE offers exchange programs in countries like Switzerland, Germany and Italy for elementary and high school students.

If you are interested in learning more or you are considering signing up, you can go to their website or contact Smith at bryansmith@ise.on.ca or at 519-456-5270.