St. Luke's Exciting New Zealand Exchange Program

Just days after St. Luke's classes ended last June, New Canaan residents Jacqui Holzberger ‘18 and Emma Tregellas ‘17 embarked on a three week adventure on the other side of the world in New Zealand at St. Luke’s partner school, Rangitoto College. They were welcomed by their host student’s family: Jamie Ellery (Emma’s host) and Gemma Morpeth (Jacqui’s host). Jacqui and Emma also immersed themselves in the Rangitoto College community in Auckland. With 3000 students and a sizable international students population, Rangitoto was a whole new experience unto itself. Jacqui and Emma jumped right in, wearing the uniforms to auditing classes to participating in sports activities.

Jacqui reflected, “My time in New Zealand was amazing. I learned that people in New Zealand really value family time and schools gives very little homework. Sports teams meet just a once a week so many students play several sports.” In their free time, Emma and Jacqui also got to explore a bit of New Zealand with their host families. They learned that when a rugby game was on, people stopped to watch—much the way Americans do for football and the Super Bowl. So the girls quickly learned the rules of rugby and cheered along.

In January and February, Emma and Jacqui had the chance to welcome their hosts here. Jamie came first, spending most of January with the Tregellas family (and a few days with Beaumont family in Westport too). While on the school's Hilltop, Jamie jumped right into some math and science classes as well as US History. She played basketball with the JV Girls team and participated in the Debate team. Gemma arrived next in late January and stayed through mid-February with the Holzberger family. With an interest in the arts, she spent quality time at the Art House as well as taking US history, Latin, French, and science classes. Their St. Luke’s host families took them to explore New York City and beyond including a Broadway show, ice skating in Rockefeller Center and sledding on a snow day. Both of our New Zealand exchange students shared that they loved their time on the Hilltop and being here during our wintertime.

St. Luke's Director of Global Education Beth Yavenditti said, “It’s a great opportunity for students to have a truly cultural immersion experience. Because we only select two students and the students travel on their own to each community, it requires students to be even more independent and self-reliant. They get to make their own adventure and get out of it exactly what they put into it.” Yavenditti continued, “Even though the language is not a barrier, it’s a fun challenge to join a larger school, mid-year and immerse yourself in their culture.”

St. Luke’s looks forward to sending two students this summer and welcoming more students from Rangitoto College in 2018. St. Luke’s has continuing global exchange programs with schools in Argentina, China, France and New Zealand. For more information about the school's global course work and exchange programs, contact Director of Global Education Beth Yavenditti.

St. Luke’s is a secular private school in New Canaan, CT for grades 5-12. St. Luke's mission is an exceptional education that inspires a deep love of learning, a strong moral compass, the commitment to serve, and the confidence to lead. St. Luke's Center for Leadership advances our mission by helping students develop exceptional leadership ability. A kind, inclusive community awaits you at St. Luke's.

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