We offer our students numerous opportunities to practise English in varied environments. Our exchange programme is an integral part of this approach, providing far more than mere linguistic improvement: it enables our students to experience life in a foreign country for several weeks. 

In this way, this summer, Astrid, a 1ère student at the Lycée, went to the British School (TBS) in New Delhi. Once there, she was hosted by Cloe, an ex-Ermitage student now living in India. Astrid kindly shared her feelings with us regarding this one of a kind experience in India. Discover her testimony below:

What did you discover in India during your stay?

Astrid: This exchange was an amazing opportunity to discover a completely different culture and meet new lifelong friends. Arriving in New Delhi was a massive culture shock - nothing could have prepared me for the humidity, the traffic, the pollution or the noise. Despite this peculiar atmosphere, there is a certain beauty - no matter where you look, there is always an interesting sight, always a minute detail you can make a whole story out of.
 

On the left: Visiting Jaipur with Cloe (next to New Delhi)

On the right: A holy cow in a market in Delhi 

How was your experience at the British School, New Delhi? 

Astrid: As for TBS, it is very different from Ermitage when it comes to the timetable, the size of the school (much bigger than the Lycée) and the fact that it only offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme. However, it is similar to our school in how unifying it is. Indeed, both being international schools, the diversity of backgrounds and cultures leads to various visions and opinions, making class discussions and student relations more open-minded and interesting.

What is your best memory of this experience?

Astrid: What I liked the most about the exchange was definitely meeting new people. Everyone was so welcoming, whether it’s a teacher or a student. In such a short amount of time, I created strong bonds, and I can confidently say that despite them being halfway across the world, the friends I made in Delhi are going to stick around forever. 

The British School

What did you learn during this experience?

Astrid: My main take out from this experience is that it’s essential to put yourself out there and immerse yourself in unknown environments in order to grow. I learnt a lot about myself through the interactions I had at the school and in Delhi itself, and I couldn't be more grateful for this opportunity to discover another part of the world.