Overview
The program is sponsored by Brooks school in terms of travel for our students to and from the US and upkeep. Budo takes care of the Brooks students while here on the trips in and around Kampala, acquisition of Visas from our travelling students and other organisational requirements.
Ashley Hutchinson
When Ryan and I landed in Uganda, Mr. Mbalule was waiting for us at the Entebbe airport. Our first impression of Uganda? It was warm, much warmer than it is back at Brooks School in Massachusetts, United States of America. We arrived at King's College Budo campus late in the evening. But even at that hour, the moment I stepped out of the truck in front of the dorm, there were students there to greet me. All the girls already knew my name, knew who I was, and couldn't wait to start asking me questions about myself and Brooks.
I don't think I have ever felt more welcomed anywhere in my life. Although Ryan and I have only been here for about a week, we both agree that we're having an amazing time. The students and staff have been extremely kind.
In such a short time I've had many new experiences: eating matooke and posho, seeing lions at the national park, and trying to learn Luganda and although King's College Budo is very different from Brooks and home, I'm enjoying myself immensely and looking forward to what the next four weeks will bring. Thanks to Budo for having me.
Magoola Perez and Nabunjo Joanita are some of the students that have represented the school at Brooks
Brief by Nabunjo Joanita
I chose the subjects I was going to do and the afternoon activities. English Literature was compulsory and so I chose Calculus, Honours Chemistry and Theatre in performance. The relationship between teachers and students was great and since they were few in class, the teacher had enough time for each student. For my afternoon activities, I played Lacrosse and also did community service.
The Brooksians were so time conscious and if some one was not somewhere at the time agreed, he/she would be left. They had sit-down dinners every Tuesdays and Thursdays, where one was allocated a table with different people so that they get to know each other. Games were compulsory and taken very seriously. The environment was always clean because they used not to litter for there were trash bins every where. Most of the used papers were recycled.
We also made quite a number of trips around the U.S. One was to Washington D.C where we visited Washington Monument, Vietnam monument, World War II Monument, Natural history Museum, Holocaust museum, White House etc.
Another trip was to New York where we visited the United Nations, Time Square, 5th Avenue, China Town, Triumph Tower, the Empire State Building etc.
We also went to amusement parks like Canobie Lake ( we were taken by the Hutchison family)and six flags. All these trips were so much fan. We also went to MIT and Harvard. New York was noisier than Washington D.C.
Brief by Magoola Perez
I was offered four subjects which included: Calculus taught by Mr. Becker who is now retired after being Headmaster of the school for over 20 years. English by Mrs. Becker, Honours physics by Mr. Moore and I was mentored in Film by Mr. Grant.
On a normal day the schedule was as follows: Waking up was at 6:30am and followed by breakfast between 6:30 am and 7:30 am. From 7:30 am to 11:30 am to 1:45 pm. Classes would continue from 2:20pm to 3:15 pm after which we would have compulsory sports at 3:45 pm up to 5:30pm.
We would have chapel on Mondays, Wednesdays and on Fridays we would have school meetings which were the equivalent of the Assembly.
We toured the country to give us a memorable experience. First of all, we went on a duck tour to Boston with a couple of other students. This includes a boat ride around the city. The following weekend we were off to New York with Mrs. Carrigan Daley and during this we got a chance to visit the Rockfeller Foudantion. This is in charge of sponsoring the exchange programme.
The things I saw in New York were breathtaking! We visited the subways, Wall Street, China town, Little Italy among others. The following weekend we headed to the American capital Washington DC for 4 days. There we visited the Arlington Cemetery where American soldiers are buried, the White house among others.
Others trips included a trip to New Hampshire for mountain hiking with other exchange students from Africa. We also visited a public high school in a near by town called Lawrence. We went to an African – American church with Ms.Pippen and had multiple shopping trips to malls around New Hampshire with Mrs. Daley. we also visited some great American universities including Harvard and Harvard business school, the Massachussetts institute of technology (MIT), George Washington University.
I also had a chance of visiting Agaba Perez a former student of Budo Headprefect at Brooks School. He had gone by to visit an old friend of his Mr.Nabil Alami. He is now at the University of Padew in Indiana on a full scholarship.
I made a presentation about music and culture in Uganda in one of the school meetings.
Other highlights of my stay at Brooks included the dances over the weekend, the Beckers’ ball which was a farewell to the headmaster and tent dance leading to the graduation, teaching rugby to a couple of guys. To round it off we had a dinner for all alumni of the exchange programme to Africa.
Points to Note
The Brooksians are very time conscious.
They have sit-down dinners every Tuesdays and Thursdays, where one was allocated a table with different people so that they get to know each other. All members of staff are present at these dinners.
Games are compulsory and taken very seriously.
The environment was always clean because they do not litter for there were trash bins every where. Most of the used papers were recycled.
Recommendations
The students going to Brooks next year must be really social.
The students should also be able to play games because these are compulsory.
They should be sociable
Should be disciplined
Have good computer skills
Know about Uganda, Africa and the Budonian culture
Be mature
Be presentable. |
