Great Scot December 2019 Great Scot 158_December_ONLINE | Page 24

NEWS
GREAT EXPERIENCES
IN FOUR COUNTRIES
In 2019, Scotch’s Exchange Program sent Scotch boys to visit
schools in Scotland, England, the USA and South Africa. A school
exchange can be life-changing, as described by the boys who had
the opportunity to participate in the experience this year. The boys
listed below, with their exchange partners, travelled abroad to visit
fascinating places and attend our exchange schools:
ST ALBANS SCHOOL (Washington DC, USA):
Liam McKeith, Leo Fu, Thomas Wildoer (all Year 11).
Exchange partners: Alex Misiaszek, Nico Cantrell.
ST ALBANS SCHOOL – THOMAS WILDOER
After a lengthy flight, tired but excited, I
arrived at the school that was then new, but
now so familiar to me. As I walked down the
hall, I saw doors open either side of me with
confused new boys, before eventually finding
my room; it was a bunkroom with a senior boy.
Over the course of the coming week I got
to know so many welcoming people, not only
boarders but day boys too. That Saturday
was my first school event, the Varsity football
game. With a roaring crowd and a sea of
beach-themed attire we won convincingly.
That night I went to the sister school’s
homecoming, another unusual experience.
At the first weekend I went to the state cross
country meet with my weekend family’s child
and on the Sunday went to the ‘Nats’ baseball
game at Nationals Park baseball stadium.
My third week was full of sightseeing –
going to a new place every night after school
with another exchange student, including
visits to Georgetown, the Washington
Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the Capitol
Building and the White House, as well as
other downtown hotspots. The last weekend
included my third football game, another
homecoming on the Saturday, and a trip
to both the Aerospace and Natural History
Museums on the Sunday.
It began to sink in during my last week that
it was all coming to an end, and that I soon
must say goodbye to all my new friends.
24
Great Scot Issue 158 – December 2019
Scotch’s exchange
program provides
great educational and
cultural opportunities
DULWICH COLLEGE (Dulwich, London, England):
Jerry X’Lingson, Oscar Robson (both Year 11) – September.
Exchange partners: Ben Knowles, Henry Bichard.
ETON COLLEGE (Windsor, England):
Milo Walpole Walsh (Year 11) – September.
GEORGE WATSON’S COLLEGE (Edinburgh, Scotland):
Nicholas Kluckow (Year 11) – September. Exchange partner: Calum Hall.
MICHAELHOUSE (Balgowan, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa):
Hamish Heine, James Meggitt (both Year 10).
Exchange partners: Connor Sesink Clee, Matthew Marx.
The final Monday, as I walked through the
halls, everyone seemed to know I was leaving,
and it made me so happy to know I had made
friends I would stay in touch with for years
to come.
DULWICH COLLEGE – JERRY X’LINGSON
and OSCAR ROBSON
On 14 October, we left for the UK on
a student exchange between Scotch and
Dulwich College. It was a tiring 22-hour
journey, but was undoubtedly worth it as the
coming 28 days would prove.
Our time at Dulwich was filled with
delightful experiences, due to the welcoming
attitudes of the students and teachers who
made our stay so rewarding. Although we
did attend school throughout the week, we
did also find time to pursue other activities on
the weekends. We went out to Cambridge
University one Saturday, did some punting
along the rivers and enjoyed a delicious cream
tea at a local café.
We were then also lucky enough to travel
westward to Salcombe, a lovely beachside
town, where many more fond memories were
made on the water – paddle-boarding and
trying to knock each other off into the cold
water — and at the shooting range, where we
had the opportunity to shoot guns at targets.
I can proudly say in the latter activity that the
Australians defeated the British in a final target
shooting showdown during our session.
Oscar appreciated his opportunity to be
immersed in the rugby and rowing programs
at the school, as well as participating in art,
commerce and mathematics. While there
were many similarities between Scotch and
Dulwich College, there were some significant
differences to the daily routines. For example,
there are two teachers for each subject to
teach different parts of the course.
As Dulwich College is so close to London,
we were also able to visit the city as tourists,
with the added advantage of having expert
advice from our friends and teachers. I would
like to thank all those at Scotch and Dulwich
College who made this exchange possible, as
it enabled us to have amazing experiences.
ETON COLLEGE – MILO WALPOLE WALSH
I arrived in the UK to see my grandad
and other family for a couple of days before
I headed into Eton College to get suited into
the famous Eton tails and to be shown around
parts of the school. I was placed into Villiers
House which is predominantly run by Doctor
Warnes (House Master) and Hermione Holt
(Dame). I was introduced to all the boys who
I would spend the next month with in my
house.
During my time I attended my regular
classes of English, Philosophy, Theology and
Art. My walk towards my Philosophy and
Theology classes from my room took me past
Walpole House, the boarding house which is
named after Sir Robert Walpole (regarded as