SINT MAARTEN (SOUTH REWARD) - Fifteen carpentry students from Githo School in Nijlen, a village near Antwerp, Belgium, spent an exciting and inspiring week on Sint Maarten as part of a student exchange with Milton Peters College (MPC)/Construction Sector.
From September 21 to 25, the Belgian students joined MPC Construction students for a week filled with hands-on learning, cultural exchange, exploration and, most importantly, new friendships.
A major part of the exchange was the carpentry program. Working alongside MPC students, the Belgian visitors put their skills to work and together they created 10 beautiful side tables/coffee tables. The project gave the students an opportunity to learn from one another, exchange techniques and experience a different approach to their shared passion for carpentry.
The exchange extended far beyond the workshop. The Belgian students also joined regular English, art and mathematics classes, giving them a taste of everyday school life at MPC.
Of course, there was plenty of time to discover Sint Maarten together. The group took part in a scavenger hunt through Philipsburg, toured the island, and enjoyed one of Sint Maarten's most famous sights: watching airplanes land near Maho Beach. They also had the opportunity to enjoy a true Caribbean lunch prepared by the students of Sundial Hospitality.
With temperatures considerably warmer than those they are accustomed to in Belgium, the students naturally made time for some cooling down. They enjoyed swims at Divi Little Bay Beach and Kim Sha Beach.
One of the week's biggest highlights was an energetic game of paintball, which brought plenty of laughter, friendly competition and teamwork. The week was officially wrapped up with a barbecue at school, giving students and teachers one more opportunity to spend time together before saying goodbye.
And this is only the beginning.
In January, the MPC students will travel to Belgium to visit their newly made friends at Githo School in Nijlen. The return exchange will offer the Sint Maarten students the opportunity to experience Belgian school life, work together on another carpentry project and — perhaps most excitingly — experience the Belgian winter. Ice skating is already on the program.
The student exchange is made possible through the Erasmus+ Accreditation held by the SVOBE schools, which covers the majority of the costs of the exchange program. Additional fundraising is needed to support the students' participation in the exchange.
As part of this fundraising effort, the 10 stylish side tables/coffee tables made by the students are available for purchase for just US$30 each. Anyone interested in purchasing one of these unique, student-made pieces is invited to contact Milton Peters College (548-3190) and ask for Saskia Kliphuis or Robin-Ann Didder.
The exchange between Milton Peters College and Githo School demonstrates the value of giving young people the opportunity to learn beyond the classroom, experience another culture and build connections that can last far beyond a single week. More student-exchange weeks will be organized this year with Germany and Martinique.
