American, Portuguese students share experiences through exchange program

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Angelique N. Smythe
  • 65th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
LAJES FIELD, Azores --  As part of an annual student-exchange program, American and Portuguese students from the island of Terceira in grades 7 through 11 visited the other's schools to experience the two cultures' education system and to build upon intercultural relationships.

The Thomas Borba School, a public school in the village of Angra do Heroismo, gladly received 16 American students who visited the school May 16. The Lajes Elementary/High School also welcomed 16 Portuguese students into its classrooms May 30.

"When we arrived (to Thomas Borba), the students and faculty greeted us as we came through the gates," said Laurie Salafia, Lajes' School Liaison Officer. "We were escorted to a music room where we were entertained by students playing guitars. After the concert, the students from Lajes were setup with Portuguese peer mentors to tour the school."

Communication between the two schools went fairly well since studying the English language is one of the Portuguese students' requirements. They had the opportunity to practice their English-speaking skills by putting on a puppet show demonstrating healthy eating habits for the American students.

"The school is known for their art, music and dance programs," said Salafia. "The Portuguese students also raise plants, vegetables and fruit in their greenhouses and gardens to sell at the market or use in cooking classes. In addition, the school accommodates students with special needs. For example, there is a teacher who teaches Braille to one of its blind students."

Salafia said the American students got involved in some classroom activities with their Portuguese peers, as well as ate lunch with them.

"My experience at the Portuguese school was amazing," said Kendall Fiedler, 13, daughter of Tech. Sgt. Michael Fiedler, 65th Operations Squadron air traffic controller. "The kids there welcomed us with open arms. Their school is huge and their food was very different."

"The food from the canteen is home-cooked, and they served soup, bread, codfish and potatoes for the main course," said Kallen Borel, 12, daughter of Master Sgt. Terrell Borel, 65th Communications Squadron first sergeant.

Carla Campos, Lajes' host nation teacher who reinforces intercultural relationships, focuses on building understanding and appreciation of the host nation's culture through events such as this exchange program.

"Two weeks after our visit, it was time for the Portuguese students to visit us," said Campos. "At Lajes we welcomed the same 16 students and three Portuguese teachers. We had the same successful experience here. Many of our teachers joined us during lunch as this presented a wonderful opportunity to exchange ideas and foster good future relationships with our counterparts. As for the students, this was another great day."

Campos said her 7th-grade intercultural class learned about the differences in the Portuguese educational system compared to theirs.

"For example, they knew the Portuguese schools' curriculum is quite different from their own," she said. "Portuguese students have to decide in 9th grade whether they want to select a scientific-humanistic major, a specialized artistic one, or a technical one, the choice relating to their future aspirations."

The differences in the education system surprised both the American and Portuguese students.

"The educational system is a bit different from ours," said Sara Reis, 15, Portuguese student. "I really like this school, and I met a lot of cool people."