25 students and 6 teachers from Monterey Secondary College, Alder Court Primary School, and Mahogany Rise Primary School, Melbourne, Australia visited Adhyapana School, CBSE Madurai on 24.07.2017 and departed on 29.07.2017. The schools began their partnership in 2016. This was a reciprocal visit from the partners, arranged by Frankston North Rotary Club, Australia.

The friends from Australia were hosted by some of the students and teachers of Adhyapana. Special Assemblies were conducted every morning in school. They were taken out for sight-seeing and shopping every day. A day's trip to Kodaikanal on 25th July 2017 for them was a memorable one.

My summer holiday began on a wonderful note. A trip to Australia on a student exchange programme was a beginning to a great learning and sharing experience.

I was one of the four teachers who accompanied the students who visited four schools in Melbourne, Australia. Six primary students and I were hosted by the Principal Mr. John Culley and the students of Mahogany Rise. Our hosts made sure that we never missed our family back in India.

A lot of interaction with the teachers and students during school hours — learning and sharing our ideas, sightseeing to places like Mornington Peninsula and the Aquarium — were definitely memorable visits. We visited schools like Range Bank Primary School, Monterey College, Kananook Primary School, and a school for special needs.

We gave the Rotarians a taste of Indian food when we cooked and served them Peas Pulav and Paneer Butter Masala at the Rotary dinner get-together. We also presented a cultural show at the dinner and the partner schools. I take this opportunity to thank Aruna Ma'am, Dean Sir, and the Adhyapana Managing Committee for giving me such an enriching and memorable trip.