Keolebogile Gouws
Ulwazi Moosa Chris Kumalo (17) said he was impressed with the view he gained of education from a Christian Brother College sponsored international exchange program to St Edward’s Boys College in New South Wales Australia recently.
Kumalo was among four leaners and two educators from St Boniface High school in Kimberley who participated in the exchange programme to St Edward’s College in Australia from 21 August to 6 September 2026.
The other learners are: Karabo Paris Noge, Ulwazi Kumalo, Ameries Kouter and Mbulelo Samuel Tshanga. The programme was aimed at helping learners and educators to get a glimpse about each other’s cultures and the different approaches to teaching and learning.
Kumalo sings in the St Boniface High school choir and is also a member of the debate society. He avidly participates in coding and robotics. He said he aspires to be a lawyer or university professor. His favourite subjects are Business Studies and Economics.
Kumalo says the international exchange program gave him a different perspective on how teaching and learning worked differently in South Africa and Australia: “I noticed differences in the practicality of the programme as well as in the perspectives of both learners and teachers.”
Kumalo said he appreciated the hosts’ hospitality: “I appreciated how welcoming everyone was, not only did they provide us with accommodation but they also made an effort to help us adapt to the learning environment. I found that adapting required more effort from the learner’s side. It was not necessarily difficult for us as South Africans, but it required effort to adjust to a different way of learning.”
Kumalo said he particularly fell in love with the environment, stating, “That was one of the things that stood out for me the most. It was green and magnificent and at times it felt like a dream. Everywhere I looked, I could see the colourful nature, which made the trip particularly memorable for me.”
Kumalo said one lesson he took from the programme was to be more expressive. He learned that, in different aspects of life, it is important to communicate your thoughts and feelings more meaningfully.
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