Cultural Enrichment Program
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A Unique Opportunity to Explore Global Citizenship
Schools provide meaningful and engaging experiences that foster personal, social and academic growth and prepare students for a bright future. Today, more than ever before, schools must also assist students to appreciate global citizenship and an international perspective in our increasingly connected world. Cultural enrichment experiences help to develop "citizens of the world," and the Louis Riel School Division's Cultural Enrichment Program supports this goal.
The Participants
Students in Grades 9-12 from all of our high schools are being invited to apply to participate in a cultural enrichment exchange program with one of our partner schools. Any student registered in Grades 9-12 in a Louis Riel School Division high school (must be a Canadian citizen or hold permanent resident status) may apply. The administration team of each of the high schools in collaboration with LRSD Go Global will consider the applications and make the final selections.
Selected applicants will stay in homestays which have been carefully selected by the host countries’ school administration. All homestay families are able to speak some level English. Students will attend school along with their exchange partner. Excursions to local sites, businesses, nearby communities, and cultural attractions will complement the cultural experience.
The Benefits
In addition to learning about diverse cultures, students will have an opportunity to develop an appreciation for:
- Cultural traditions, languages and lifestyles
- Global interdependence and cooperation
- International school systems
- Relationships that are created through homestay and hosting experiences
The Schools and Programs
While the Cultural Enrichment Programs are very similar in nature, they each have their own unique context. Four of the programs are true reciprocal exchanges. In these programs, LRSD students go to their partner country and stay with a student and their family. That student then comes to stay with the LRSD student and their family and attend school in LRSD.
The programs are of various lengths of time and occur at different times in the school year. Dates are determined annually and are communicated to LRSD high schools directly.
1. Japan Meitoku Gijuku High School in Kochi City
Meitoku Gijuku is a high school in southern Japan with an enrolment of 1050 students. In its Japanese immersion program, LRSD students will study written and spoken Japanese. They will also participate in numerous cultural activities with other Japanese immersion students from countries around the world.
Students selected will stay in the school’s dormitory, and the school’s cafeteria provides all the meals. Students can learn about bamboo production, visit a paper factory, or take in the history and sites in Kochi City. They also will join one of the school’s many clubs that focus on sports, martial arts or the fine arts.
The stay in Japan ranges from six to eight weeks long, and begins at the outset of Semester Two. LRSD families are not required to host Meitoku students in this program.
Grades 9-12 are welcome to apply.
2. Germany Stadtteilschule Bergstedt High School in Hamburg
Stadtteilschule Bergstedt is a high school in northern Germany with an enrolment of 1100 students. In its international program, LRSD students will have an opportunity to learn about German culture and history. A knowledge of the German language is not required but students will be introduced to the foundations of the language. In addition, students will have an opportunity to participate in German family life and experience cultural activities with their fellow students and host families.
Excursions to local sites, businesses, nearby communities, and cultural attractions will complement the experience. Students can learn about the important role that Hamburg has played as one of the largest ports in Europe.
The program begins with students from LRSD attending school for four weeks in May-June and students from Bergstedt coming to stay with students for three weeks beginning in October. Interested families must be able to host a student in their home.
Grades 9-11 are welcome to apply.
3. Chile Saint Matthew School in Villarrica
Saint Matthew School in Villarrica is in southern Chile on a beautiful plain at the base of tall mountains including an active volcano. Students participate in a variety of activities while at the school, many of them involving physical activity in the beautiful surronding area of Villarrica. The school is a K-12 school with an enrollment of just over 500 students.
Being able to speak some Spanish is an asset but willingness to learn the language is most important. Most people living in Villarrica only speak Spanish. However, English is taught at every grade in the school. Many students, and some staff can converse in English.
The length of stay in Chile is approximatley four weeks. Interested families must be able to host a student in their home.
Grades 9-11 are welcome to apply.
4. Spain Eurocolegio Casvi in Madrid
Casvi is on the outskirts of Madrid. It consists of two beautiful, modern school campuses with a long history in international education. The Casvi student population consists of students from around the world and the local area. Selected students will live with their exchange partner's family. Students can expect to attend school and experience the culture and history of the region through a variety of outings.
Spanish is spoken in the school, but most students have also developed strong skills in English. Staff at the school are mostly bilingual.
The length of stay in Spain is approximatley four weeks. Interested families must be able to host a student in their home.
Grades 9-11 are welcome to apply.
5. France Lycée Gabriel Faure in Tournon-sur-Rhône, France
The school is located in the south-east of France in a beautiful geographic location. Lycée Gabriel Faure School in Tournon-sur-Rhône, is part of the organization called DAREIC – Délégation Académique aux Relations Européennes, Internationales et à la Coopération. They have a long history of facilitating exchange programs. Gabriel Faure is located in one of the most beautiful and historic school buildings in all of France.
This program will provide an opportunity for French Immersion students to further develop and refine their language skills. It may also be an incentive for students in English schools to pursue acquisition of a second language. It most certainly will provide an opportunity for students to experience French culture and to better understand our own national French heritage and the importance of developing cultural competency.
The length of stay in France is approximatley four weeks. Interested families must be able to host a student in their home.
Grades 9-11 are welcome to apply.
6. Italy
*We are currently in the process of establishing a new partner school relationship.
Program Costs
The cost of the program is established every October and will be shared with all potential applicants when presentations take place at each LRSD high school. In addition, students will need to provide their own spending money.
The Application Process
Any student registered in Grades 9-12 in a Louis Riel School Division high school (must be a Canadian citizen or hold permanent resident status) may apply. All applications will be submitted online. Details will be provided during presentations at each LRSD High School in October.
Troy Reinhardt
Manager, Cultural Enrichment
204-781-9495