Canadian exchange students say goodbye to Colégio São Luiz, in Brusque

The welcome from Brusquenses and the closeness between students and teachers was what surprised the students the most

After 15 days of routine at the Colégio São Luiz, in Brusque, seven students from the Séminaire du Sacré-Coeur, in Quebec, Canada, said goodbye to Brazil this Saturday the 21st.

The exchange marks the second stage of the partnership between Colégio São Luiz and the Canadian institution which, at the start of the year, welcomed students from Brusque who make up the school’s volleyball team.

For the director of Colégio São Luiz, Father Silvano João da Costa, this experience brought significant learning.

“It is a feeling of gratitude for all that we have experienced in the presence of Quebec students and teachers. We have the same way of living and doing education in Brazil, everything involves welcoming”, he assesses.

Father Silvano also thanked the student families of the schools hosting the exchange students, as well as the teachers who were most involved in this project.

“These are unforgettable marks in the history of our institution, which celebrates 120 years of existence amidst international experience. That’s when we realize that smiles, hugs and welcomes are the same in all cultures, which gives us the assurance that it is love that unites us”, said Father Silvano.

Human heat

Expectations exceeded and experiences that will forever remain in our memories and hearts. It was with these feelings that young Canadian women left town.

“It was much better than I expected. What I like most are the people, who are very friendly and always happy. When they saw us, everyone hugged us, it was really nice,” said Ellie Marris.

The Brazilian way of life is also what Océane Lernay-Joly is most fascinated by.

“Students here are very united and close. It feels great to be greeted with such kindness in the morning, when we arrive at school. “It’s a very good day,” he said.

Joana Daigreault also approves of the love she receives from the people she meets. “Everything is as I expected”, he assured.

Young Mia-Lee Berniquez, on the other hand, cited the closeness between students and teachers. “It is really cool to see the relationships in the classroom, the active participation of students and the exchanges that occur, resulting in learning. In Canada, classes are always very quiet, very different from what we see here.”

Various events held by Colégio São Luiz also received praise from exchange students. They attended the opening of the institution’s 36th Marathon, on the evening of October 17, and were very pleased with the project.

“We realize how powerful that culture is. Students are involved, dedicated, participate and come together. This is very impressive”, said Mara Fournier.

For Juliette Quesnel, one of her memories is the architecture of the city. “Here the place is all open, lots of windows and outdoor areas. In Canada, buildings are closed due to the weather,” he reported.

Gabrielle Grandin experienced volleyball more intensely at Brusque, although there was no major difference in learning and playing the sport. “Playing volleyball in Brazil is really cool. I can even play more,” he said.

Value redemption

The coach of the Séminaire du Sacré-Coeur volleyball team, Gilbert Landry, accompanied the students and was amazed by what they experienced.

“Its beauty is truly impressive, even when it rains. “City and school cleanliness is also a concern,” he said.

He highlighted the existence of values ​​in students’ routines. “We pay attention to how the charism of the Dehonian institution is revealed and present in the daily life of the school community.”

The mother of one of the exchange students, Marie-Josee, also emphasized how values ​​translate into feelings and humanize school routines.

“In Canada we are more introspective. Here it is possible to recover values ​​such as welcome, acceptance and human warmth.”

He also mentioned the group’s visit to the Business Association of Brusque, Guabiruba and Botuverá (ACIBr), as an important moment to understand the unity that stimulates mutual growth, through the association.

“We see how much care there is for each other here. There is concern for everyone to grow together and help each other as a community. We also see a high level of respect between students and teachers, in addition to everyone’s admiration for the school. There is a strong sense of belonging.”

Séminaire du Sacré-Coeur International Program Coordinator, Anastasiia Lavrynets, highlighted the importance of presenting students with Dehonian values ​​in practice around the world.

“They understand that we are not alone in Canada: we are a family. It is important to explore schools within the same congregation. We are not the only dot in the world, we are the Dehonian of the world.”

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