Intercultural Exchange
If you ask Denise Gleason to explain the Intercultural Exchange Program at Bosque School, she will regale you with stories of at least four different American host families who changed their lives after participating, even going so far as to move to Mexico. She recounts students stopping her on campus, joyfully explaining the positive impact the program had on their family, tears in their eyes. And she’ll glow, describing the faces of young children in Mexico, so excited to meet their “Bosque Buddies” for the first time. It leaves an impact, and Denise can’t wait to bring new elements of collaboration to each school, after 15 successful years.
“The host parents who participate say, ‘Your family is just like my family. You have the same goals for your daughter as I have for my son…’ That’s really what it’s all about,” said Denise, Spanish teacher at Bosque School and Coordinator of the Bosque School Intercultural Exchange Program. “This program is integral to our school—critical—just like the study of every other course offered at Bosque… [Through the Exchange Program] our kids know what it is to be a citizen of the world, and what their place is in that world.”
Former Bosque faculty members, Lisa O’Grady and Andy Wright, were the first staffers to travel with students to Guadalajara in the early 2000s. When they returned, Lisa reached out to Denise about building a relationship with a local Mexican school. “Lisa was one of my former students,” said Denise, “and we talked about how to put together a program.” It was the perfect fit, as Denise has an undergraduate degree from UNM in teaching English as a Second Language and Spanish, and an MA in Cross-Cultural Curriculum Development and Instruction.
Today, building upon that foundation, Denise and her fellow coordinators hope to include more students than ever though yearlong cooperative classroom projects. “We want to create specific goals and tasks that students need each other to complete.” For example, students from both schools could partner in art class, creating multimedia projects that explore each country’s culture. “It’ll go beyond an exchange of information to ‘How do I make this meaningful and significant?’” explains Denise. This way, instead of only 32 students being exposed to new cultures and ideas, the entire school can participate in these symbiotic relationships.
For Denise, the affirmation of purpose for each student is the most fulfilling. “[Our students] take everything they’ve come to know and deem important to influence and make a difference in the world,” said Denise. “That’s what this program focuses on: this is your chance to participate in change—your chance to know that you do belong in the world.”
The two weeks of hosting, joint classes, field trips, and dancing came to a close faster than any Bosque community member expected. Soon, our own students will be traveling to Mexico City for their cultural immersion, bringing home souvenirs and lifelong memories. To send them off properly, Bosque students created a long hand tunnel that the students of Colegio Reina Elizabeth ran through. This prompted laughter, tears, and numerous hugs as newly developed friendships were cemented, even if physically they’d soon be miles apart.
“One of the things I think is interesting about the farewell is the amount of time it takes to get to know each other—to interact authentically and trust each other,” reflected Program Director, Denise Gleason. “[During the farewell] the choir sang ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow,’ and some students had tears in their eyes…For me, just to see the tunnel that the kids form is so hopeful. The whole experience felt a lot like Mark Twain’s famous quote: ‘Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness...’ That is the point of this experience.”
When the exchange students were asked what was most meaningful, they gushed about their host families, attending classes on campus, and especially the field trips. Many commented that Albuquerque was tranquil compared to the bustle of Mexico City with a population close to 10 million. Students were so excited to experience elements of “the wild” when visiting places like Hummingbird Camp to learn fishing, performing water tests, and have an opportunity to play in the snow! Three students even caught a fish, with one saying, “I can’t believe a class at Bosque is actually about working in the wild!”
None of the fish were brought home to cook, but each exchange student was asked to prepare a favorite meal for their host families. Daniel, a 6th grader living with the Grending family, was up to the task. “Daniel expertly made chilaquiles,” said Karen Grending. “He told us what to buy and then went about making us a delicious meal. We felt very pampered and honored to share the experience with such an awesome kid!” When Bosque students travel to Mexico, they will share a similar experience by making chocolate chip cookies for their hosts.
Though there is no written rule requiring the exchange students visiting Bosque to speak English, there is an expectation for cultural exchange. “We tell the students that they should recognize each family as being unique and should initiate knowledge of who the other is,” remarked Ms. Gleason. “You must be present with your family. That is what overcomes ideas of stereotypes. And the fact that young kids get to do this is critical to the goals of this program.”
The exchange week began with a welcome from seniors Zach and Talia, who reflected on their own past experiences as hosts and travelers. “Don’t let this get past you. Push yourself to get in the middle of this experience. Get to know someone, and let them know you,” encouraged Zach. “It’s important that the older students shepherd in the new generation, explaining how it has impacted their life,” said Ms. Gleason. “The traveling and living—being in another place—is what changes the kids. Then when they are older they can reflect on what that change is and see other kids go through that experience. It’s key, critical and crucial, that this continues.”
Paris, a 9th grader, from Colegio Reina Elizabeth, said the following in his farewell speech to Bosque students and staff, “A year ago, I come for the first time to Albuquerque. I was scared because I would be two weeks away from my family. The first day was hard for me because I was learning about a new culture. The next days I made some friends.
The days passed, I was so happy that I forgot to text my parents! All of that was new for me, even it was the first time I really felt in love with a girl. The two weeks passed and everyone was sad because it had ended… This year I come back, I felt like home again… This year had as much fun as the first year I come, and now it’s my time to say goodbye. Thank you Bosque School.” Paris and his family will be hosting a Bosque exchange student in March.