Witty International School, Malad, recently hosted 15 students from France (aged 13–16) as part of its French Global Student Exchange Programme, integrating them into regular classrooms, co-curricular activities and host homes. The initiative focused on meaningful academic and peer engagement by embedding international students into everyday school life, reinforcing the school’s approach to global learning through sustained interaction.
The French Global Student Exchange Programme is a recurring annual initiative and forms part of a long-term international partnership that began in 2018. Designed as a two-way exchange, the programme will see Witty students travel to France later this year, ensuring balanced cultural and academic exposure for participants from both countries.
During this trip, the school seamlessly integrated the French cohort into regular classrooms, group activities, and daily routines, fostering sustained engagement with Indian peers and teachers. This immersive model enabled cultural learning to emerge organically through classroom dialogue, collaborative projects, and shared responsibilities—mirroring the development of global competence in real-world contexts. Complementing academic instruction, the programme featured experiential learning through pottery and art workshops, yoga sessions, and participation in traditional Indian team sports such as Kho-Kho and Kabaddi. These shared experiences strengthened cross-cultural communication, adaptability, and teamwork.
Educational visits to Keshav Srushti, Uttan, and Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum offered insights into India’s environmental heritage, history and social evolution, complementing classroom learning with place-based understanding.
Speaking about the philosophy behind the initiative, Dr. Seema Sharma, Principal, IGCSE, Witty International School, Malad, said, “At Witty International School, our approach to student exchange is rooted in the belief that global exposure must be academically meaningful and socially immersive. When students learn together, live together and solve problems side by side, cultural understanding becomes authentic and lasting. Programmes like these prepare students not just to succeed internationally, but to engage thoughtfully and respectfully with the world around them.”
The exchange concluded with a gala dinner attended by students, parents and faculty, marking the culmination of a week-long learning journey built on participation, trust and shared experience.
