The Sacred Heart Network Exchange Returns
After over a two-year hiatus, Newton Country Day is excited to welcome back the Network Exchange Program for our Upper School students. Schools within the Network of Sacred Heart offer both domestic and international exchange programs to its students. The program, which was created over 40 years ago, has had more than 2,500 students from 25 different Sacred Heart Schools around the world participate.
Upper School students in grades 10-12 are invited to apply to attend another school within the domestic or international Sacred Heart community. “Our students have the opportunity to go out into the world, meet other Sacred Heart students, experience different school settings, and explore the wonders of our world, large and small,” said Assistant Head of School Nicole Noel. This year, NCDS is hosting students from Austria, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, New Zealand, Mexico, Spain, Taiwan, and Japan.
When exchange students arrive at Newton, they fully participate in classes and activities and also spend time with their exchange partner exploring Boston and sharing experiences together. C. Wagner ’24 has had some great moments with her exchange partner, M. Hunter, who attends Baradene College of the Sacred Heart in Auckland, New Zealand. Hunter and Wagner were able to attend the Winter Semi-Formal dance together and spend Thanksgiving with each other, both of which were new experiences for Hunter.
“I think what she (Hunter) values the most is the fact that she feels just like an NCDS student,” said Wagner. “She loves to take all of my classes and is even participating in Advent Angels. Although our schools are not the exact same, they have the same goals and core traditions that I value about my school.”
C. Cole-French ’25, who hosted exchange partner, J. Ribeyron from Institution de la Croix Blanche in Bondues, France, has learned a lot throughout the process. “My favorite part of hosting was the exchange of our cultures,” Cole-French explained. “We would talk about something that was common in the United States and how it was different in France. Even small things like eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner are so different. The main reason I wanted to participate in the Network Exchange was for the people. I wanted to meet a new friend, a new family, and make lifelong relationships.”
Upper School students in grades 10-12 are invited to apply to attend another school within the domestic or international Sacred Heart community. “Our students have the opportunity to go out into the world, meet other Sacred Heart students, experience different school settings, and explore the wonders of our world, large and small,” said Assistant Head of School Nicole Noel. This year, NCDS is hosting students from Austria, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, New Zealand, Mexico, Spain, Taiwan, and Japan.
When exchange students arrive at Newton, they fully participate in classes and activities and also spend time with their exchange partner exploring Boston and sharing experiences together. C. Wagner ’24 has had some great moments with her exchange partner, M. Hunter, who attends Baradene College of the Sacred Heart in Auckland, New Zealand. Hunter and Wagner were able to attend the Winter Semi-Formal dance together and spend Thanksgiving with each other, both of which were new experiences for Hunter.“I think what she (Hunter) values the most is the fact that she feels just like an NCDS student,” said Wagner. “She loves to take all of my classes and is even participating in Advent Angels. Although our schools are not the exact same, they have the same goals and core traditions that I value about my school.”
C. Cole-French ’25, who hosted exchange partner, J. Ribeyron from Institution de la Croix Blanche in Bondues, France, has learned a lot throughout the process. “My favorite part of hosting was the exchange of our cultures,” Cole-French explained. “We would talk about something that was common in the United States and how it was different in France. Even small things like eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner are so different. The main reason I wanted to participate in the Network Exchange was for the people. I wanted to meet a new friend, a new family, and make lifelong relationships.”