Throughout the year, Ermitage International School sets up exchanges between its students and those from schools we like to share with. These exchanges, of several weeks' duration, give each student the opportunity to enrich themselves in every way, and to live an unforgettable experience.

The Exchange Coordinators at Ermitage and UWC South East Asia in Singapore have facilitated an exchange between MYP5 student Sarah W. and Mai H., a student at UWCSEA. Sarah's family welcomed Mai on 30 March. While not her first visit to Paris, Mai does not remember much from when she came here as a 5-year-old. Sarah and Mai have spent the last few weeks visiting all of the well-known and less known sites of Paris – with frequent stops to shop and eat falafels, ramen and even some poutine. They took an adventurous trip to Mont-Saint-Michel during the Easter weekend.

Mai is an animal-lover and has enjoyed watching the horses stroll around Maisons-Laffitte and near the school. She’s also gained the almost constant attention of Sarah’s needy dog Gatsby. She enjoyed the much smaller classes at Ermitage which gave her a chance to actually get to know her classmates and even learn (almost all of) their names.

Sarah had the chance to hone her navigation and tour guide skills and enjoyed having someone to share her strong opinions with on a continuous basis. She’s very much looking forward to spending a few weeks in Singapore and says she will do her best to come back with a tan!