Students participate in video conferences with students from around the world

For the past five years the year 8 students at AKA Mombasa have virtually travelled and communicated with students of their age from Mexico, Russia and many more places through video conferences. 

Year 8 students engaging in a video conference with students from India.As part of the year 8 mentorship curriculum, students take part in an 8-week programme focusing on pluralism through dialogue, which is done in the form of video conferences with students from around the world. The video conferences are conducted through Generation Global, which enables “...students (to) interact directly with their peers around the world, engaging in dialogue around issues of culture, identity, beliefs, values, and attitudes.”

For this year 8 cohort, the students connected with schools from India, Indonesia, Jordan and Ukraine. 

“The video conferences were interesting,” said Kyla Kanyagia, a year 8 student. “There was a little bit of a language barrier, but thanks to the moderator from Generation Global, we were able to figure out what questions the students from the other countries were asking. Overall, the people we spoke to were fascinated with our culture and it gave us a chance to learn more about their culture.” 

Year 8 students discussing their culture and identity with students from India.The Senior School Head of Student Support & Wellbeing Minal Shah, who organises the video conferences through Generation Global, said the video conferences are essential for students of this age range. 

“At a time when we are all about being right, debating and defending ourselves, dialogue skills create an intentional opportunity to listen, share and understand the diversity around us – enabling our lens to widen,” Minal said.