Kings School, Owen Powell, 2014

My time in Sydney Australia is without a doubt one the most fun things that I have ever done. The ability to travel all the way around the world to spend time making new friends that truly last a lifetime is unforgettable. The most special thing about the exchange program here is the ability to build friendships with people all around the world. My family has hosted several student, all of whom I still keep in touch with. One of the highlights of my time in Sydney was spending a couple evenings with an old friend Tom Harvey who my family hosted some 6 years ago. It was amazing to see how through the Warner Exchanges, I can travel around the world and still know people and spend time with them. It makes the world seem like a more welcoming and a more accepting place.

The Kings School system differed greatly from MBA's because of their trimester schedule. They had a block schedule, so every day you were taking different classes. Each trimester the classes you are enrolled in change. For instance, the first trimester one might take physics, then chemistry in the second, and biology in the third.

Athletically, I was able to participate in Rugby while I was there and made some great friends through that. I even got to play in a couple games.

One of the best things about the Kings School is how close it is to Sydney, and how accessible Sydney is from the school. Several times, school officials would allow us to leave classes to explore the city. We got to experience the Kings School classroom feel while also experiencing what Sydney is like. We would just take 4 stops on the M-54, hop on a train at Parramatta Station, and then off to wherever we wished to go. We got to go to the Sydney Aquarium, Sydney Zoo, Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach, and many more extraordinary places. I am so thankful Mrs. Warner and Mr. Gioia and all that they did to make this trip unforgettable.

 Spending our first day in Australia at the world renown Bondi Beach.   

 Australian Sunset

Making friends with our favorite Australian, Tara Parish.

 Climbing the Sydney Harbor Bridge

 Holding a Joey (baby kangaroo)

 Relaxing after a tough Rugby game at Palm Beach

Enjoying a Rabbitos Rugby Match

After a Solid day of hunting with my boys

Lindisfarne Exchange New Zealand, Trice McCullar

I took this photo outside the airplane on my arrival into New Zealand.  The view from the plane was spectacular and really got me excited for the adventure I was about to embark on.

This picture was taken in Archie's hometown at the neighborhood surf spot.  Archie's dad took us out on my first day there and was great way to start off the trip.

Me, Archie, and Ryan before school one morning in our school uniforms.  Lindisfarne's uniform was extremely different and a great tradition to the school.

I took this photo outside the window of car as we were traveling to the countryside to go visit one of Archie's friends.

Jack's dog was a cute little pup that followed us around everywhere on the farm.  He enjoyed most of his day chasing sheep with us on the dirtbikes.

I took this picture riding dirtbikes at Jack's with Archie.  This was one of the best parts of the trip for me because the views were spectacular and the scenery was amazing.

The photo above is probably the best picture that I got on the whole entire trip.  It resembles the New Zealand countryside perfectly filled with sheep and clear blue skies.  It was also taken at Jack's farm while we were riding dirt-bikes.

During my trip I drove all the way down to the South Island with my family on their holiday vacation.  We stopped on the side of the road and I took this photo of a seal from a few feet away.

One of my favorite moments on the trip was spent here at a family friends house where we enjoyed the spectacular view off the coast.  Archie's little brother Xander is on my shoulders in this picture.

After school many days I would go mountain biking with Archie's dad on the close by Te'Mata peak.  It was sometimes really scary to be honest but it never disappointed with the view and the rush of adrenaline.

On my trip I often enjoyed lamb chops with an assortment of other fresh sides for dinner.  The chops never disappointed and were always on the menu due to the 48 million sheep that lived in New Zealand.

Archie and I stopped and relaxed at the the top of a chairlift to enjoy a spectacular view during a awesome day of snow skiing in Queenstown. There was not a lot of snow but it was still one of the most unique places to ski.

The town of Napier is where I did most of my shopping with Archie's mom and sister.  The city was very entertaining and had a very cool variety of shops that served as great places to get gifts for friends back home.

Probably the best place to skip rocks in the whole entire world.  The lake was complete glass from end to end and was crystal clear.  A beautiful place that is etched in my memory. 

A usual day at Lindisfarne as the boys move from one class to another.  All the classrooms were in buildings similar to the the one on the right

The sheep pictured in this photo were outside our motel on the way to the South Island and were being pretty noisy in the morning.  This was the closest I ever got to a sheep because they usually ran away madly at the sight of a human approaching them.  

New Zealand is a place that gives me comfort and made me realize how lucky I am to go to a school like MBA.  The trip as whole taught me a lot about how to adjust to new situations.  The change from going to my large American home with only three people living in it to a way smaller New Zealand home with six people was a great experience, because I have never done anything like that before.   The opportunity to have such a unique experience in a country many do not know much about was life changing.  Living with a much larger family gave me the opportunity to have a brother and a sister for the first time and it was something I really enjoyed. I created relationships that will last a lifetime and expanded my passion for the outdoors.  Before the trip I was close-minded and was used to being in my comfortable environment for so long that I did not understand that new experiences make you stronger as an individual.  It is so awesome knowing that you can go all the way across the world and get the same feeling that you do back home.  Thank you so much to the Warner Family for making all of this possible it is people like you that make MBA the special place that it is.  It is hard to put into words how thankful I am for your gift.

Forever Thanks, Trice McCullar

Kang Huh, Michaelhouse College, 2014

My exchange with Michaelhouse was one filled with excitement from the very beginning.

Getting off the plane at Johannesburg, Akeim and I were quickly separated by the throngs of passengers looking for their bags. By some dumb luck, both Akeim and I were scammed of $20 by "porters" who, claiming that their services were complimentary, led us to our check-in kiosks (to be fair, we were a bit lost).

Feeling conned, Akeim and I reconvened at the terminal and boarded our flight to Durban, where we met our first host brother, Matt Kiln. The Kilns lived in a neighborhood called Garlington in Hilton, a township close to Pietermaritzburg. After watching the Argentinians lose to Germany in the World Cup Final, Akeim and I tucked into bed for another wild day in South Africa.

The next day, we awoke to this:

South Africa takes backyards to a whole new level

Garlington was beautiful. With the sun shining over me, I could almost hear Mufasa saying to me, "Everything the light touches is our kingdom." Marveling at the sheer expanse of the Kiln's backyard, Akeim and I ran about for a bit and played some amateur rugby with Matt. Then, breakfast called, and Matt's mother, Sally Kiln, served us a breakfast of eggs, bacon, and toast. Having been on a plane for more than half of the day, Akeim and I welcomed the food as if we were welcoming a long-lost friend.

After breakfast, The Kilns took us to the Mandela Capture Site, where Nelson Mandela was captured by the Afrikaaners and placed in prison. The museum itself was very simple, but the sculpture out front was a spectacle to behold. From the side, it looked like a bunch of jagged metal rods, but from the front, it was Nelson Mandela's face.

The next day, the Kilns took me (Akeim was all tuckered out) to Karkloof Mountain for a canopy tour, which is essentially an extended high ropes course. We zip-lined for about 30 minutes, which may have been one of the most terrifying 30 minutes of my life. The zip-line course was especially high because we were going along the side of a mountain, so the ground was nowhere in sight. Nevertheless, I made it back down safely, which was certainly relieving.

(L-R): Matt, James (Matt's brother), and me

The next day was definitely one of the highlights of the trip. Early in the morning, Akeim, Matt and I met with our other host brother, Fergus Hathorn. Together, we drove to Imfolozi/Hluhluwe Game Reserves, which is a national park in South Africa. Here, we went on a Safari with Fergus' family, which was full of tea, rusks, and braais.

When going on safari, visitors always try to see the "Big 5," or the 5 deadliest animals to hunt: White Rhino, Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, and Elephants. Of the 2 game drives we went on, Akeim and I saw all but the Leopard.

Guided by the Hathorns and their friends the Kings, we saw myriad animals, or what I called "Live Action Lion King." Imfolozi showed me just how beautiful nature could be...

They look cute, but they're dangerous.

Truly a rare sight: a whole herd of elephants

In the wilds of Africa...

After spending 3 days at Imfolozi, the Hathorns returned us to the Kilns at Durban. After hearing about a big rugby match, Matt took us to see the Commonwealth Games. In this match, the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks faced the Dunedin Highlanders from New Zealand. Before we entered the stadium, we ran into Curtis Turner, who was also on exchange, and Zander Prinsloo, who came to MBA last year. We reminisced for a bit and proceeded to watch the Sharks show the Highlanders what South Africa was made of.

After a week of incredible activities, Akeim and I finally enrolled at Michaelhouse for their Michaelmas term and lived in Mackenzie Hall, where we met 2012 exchange student, Gianluca Truda (who was our housemaster). Here, we were "B-Blockers," or 11th year students. As such, we received special treatment from the younger students, who were obligated to greet us, grant us right of way on the walkways, and open doors for us. Seniority was big at Michaelhouse, and the coveted "B-Block Scarf" let younger students know who really ruled the school.

The coveted B-Block scarf

Mackenzie House

At Michaelhouse, I enrolled in English, Math(s), Afrikaans, Music, Economics, and Geography. The school ran on a block schedule, only having a few periods per day. The day was followed by a few hours of athletics. Akeim played rugby, and I tried out squash, which was basically racquetball. After athletics was prep, a period for students to do their homework. During this time, Akeim and I would usually visit our friends in other dorms, such as Shingi Vambe, who came on exchange to MBA last year, and the boys in Farfield House, where our host brothers lived (shout-outs to Craig, Ben, Liam, Grant, and Nic).

The return of the king: Shingi himself 

(L-R): Fergus, Gerry, Liam, me, Matt

Robert is always happy to see me

From the get-go, Akeim and I were thrust into activities. In our first week, we played a concert at a local restaurant in Pietermaritzburg with some of the Michaelhouse choir boys. These guys would become some of our closest friends here, simply because we saw them so much (shout-outs to Van-Wyk, Bruere, Kurt, Luke, Jono, Dillan, James, and Gerry).

Midway through our second week, the school took Akeim and me to another game reserve, Nambiti Game Reserves. We were joined by the other exchange students from Scotch College in Melbourne and Christ's College in New Zealand (shout-outs to Liam, Jack, James, and Nic). We spent 3 days of pampered life here and saw 4 of the Big 5, and even the elusive brown hyena.

We're nature explorers. 

A buffalo 

A black rhino appears! Finally!

The final week at Michaelhouse was a sad one for Akeim and me, as we knew our time with the Michaelhouse "oaks" was slowly ending. We used this time to get to know the Mackenzie boys better (shout-outs to Wesley, Ben, Jordan, Dan, Luke, Robert, and Reece). After an emotional last day at Michaelhouse, Akeim and I departed from Pietermaritzburg on a Sunday, bringing an end to a great experience.

I'd like to thank the Warner family immensely for sponsoring this program, as it has truly broadened by worldview. I have never once been to the African continent, let alone South Africa, and I cannot think of any better way to have had a first taste than this one. I'd also like to thank Mr. Gioia and the school for making this program available to me. The MBA exchange is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I am glad I did not pass up.

To future Michaelhouse exchange students- here are some words you should know before going:
- Mint (adj.)- awesome

- Bru (n., pron. "brew")- "bro"

- Kack (n.)- An E-blocker who has to serve an A-block prefect

- Fresh (adj.)- visually appealing, attractive

- Snack (n.)- object of one's affection

- Snack (v.)- to pursue aforementioned snack

- Howzit- What's up?

- Goie more- Good morning (Afrikaans)

- Sawubona- Good morning (Zulu)

Jackson Garey: Raffles Institution

       Our trip started with a journey half way around the world. We arrived in Singapore around midnight their time and we proceeded straight to the school and our rooms. All three of us shared a boarding room for the entire trip.
       After a day of rest, we met our buddies, who we followed for our trip. We followed them to their classes and they also took us out on weekends to show us the city. The last couple days of the first week we followed them to their classes, which were mostly math and science classes.
       During the nights of the days we went to school, we were allowed to go out on our own and explore the city. We used the amazing public transportation that the country has to get around. We were able to go downtown and visit many of the attractions. We saw most of the downtown and financial area. and many more areas. We were also able to visit the Singapore Flyer and get an amazing view of the city.
       On the first weekend we went out with our buddies. We took a river cruise around Singapore, went to the zoo, and went to an area of malls with just under 30 of them. We also went to Chinatown and the Indian area. We were able to try a lot of the food from many of the asian cultures.
       The second week was the beginning of their house games. After classes each day their were different games that all the houses competed in. The first day we played with one of the houses in a game of dodgeball. Later in the week we were allowed to try archery and shooting.
       On the second weekend we met the guys that would be coming to MBA. They took us to an island off the southern tip of Singapore, called Sentosa. The island is mostly a tourist area where they have amusements parks, a beach, and a mall.
       The last couple of days we went to school with our buddies and said our goodbyes. At night we were able to connect with an MBA alum and have dinner with him and learn more about Singapore. On one of the other nights we had Eid al-Fitr, the feast that ends Ramadan, with a family of one of the kids that was coming to MBA.
       After all this adventure, the trip had come to an end and it was time for us to go home. On the last day we said goodbye and packed everything up. We stayed up till 2:30 to leave for the airport.
        I'd like to thank the Warner family and Mr. Goia for selecting me to go on this trip and making everything possible. I was able to make great friends on this trip and create greater bonds with the guys that went on the trip with me.

The down town area

The family we had a feast with at the end of Ramadan

A Taiwanese group who that went with us to the zoo

Friends we made while on the trip 

The view from the Singapore flyer

     

Seth Cook Winchester College

Two housemates

Getting out of the car at Freddie's on Winchester's campus, I wanted nothing more in the entire world than a nap. Fortunately, I did not get one. Instead I was roped in to some strange soccer based game that the boys played in their garden. I quickly met almost every boy in the house. That night I went to my first "preces" meeting where every name was called and any announcements were made.

I started my first day with economics, a course that I had never studied before, and ended it with a Div tour to Winchester Cathedral. That Wednesday I began my CS (community service) with Ollie Redman, a housemate. We walked to St. Cross and helped an American man named Albert with whatever chores he needed help with.

The next couple of weeks went on and I continued to go to class and grow close with the other students. Felix Vardagh-Hunter and Angus Mckenzie both hosted me for a night during "Exeat" a weekend to go back home. Angus lived on a large estate in Southampton where I enjoyed an afternoon of tea and croquet.

Team Picture after our first win

When I returned the House Volleyball Tournament, a tradition forgotten for 30 years, was starting up. A good friend of mine was head of sport for the house and named me to be captain of the team. After a total of 4 preces speeches our team was ready for the finals with the rest of the house supporting us. In a victory over the Hopper's house we won the House Championship, and Ben Throsby assured me that I was probably the only non-Wykehamist to lead a team to a house championship and win.


I would just like to thank the Warner Family, Mr. Gioia, and Dr. Townsend for making these exchanges possible. This was my first visit out of the country and it was truly unforgettable. Without this program I would never have been able to meet such amazing people, and I would not be able to call myself an almost OW.

Richard Thornton: Christ's College (New Zealand)

This past summer, I had the privilege of traveling to New Zealand to study at Christ's College in Christchurch, New Zealand, on a Warner Exchange. I spent the first ten days vacationing with my host family in Queenstown and then returned to school for the remainder of my stay. I enjoyed every minute of the trip and made some great friends. Below is a general summary of my trip. Please check out my full blog from the trip at http://christscollege.blogspot.com/

On July 8, Parker Logan, Daniel Maynard, and I boarded a plane on the first leg of our journey to New Zealand. After a four hour flight to LAX, we ran across a few terminals to get to our flight bound for Auckland, NZ. The twelve hour flight was filled with Anchorman 2, Crime and Punishment, and lots of sleep. We left Los Angeles at 9:45 PM on July 8 and arrived in New Zealand at 5:45 AM on July 10 (I will never experience July 9, 2014). Passing through customs in New Zealand was very entertaining with fruit smelling dogs and numerous threats of a $400 fine for undeclared "bio-dangerous" items. Luckily, I made it through customs but ended up missing my connection after a luggage mix-up. I finally made it to Christchurch and was met by my host brother Michael Newton, his brother James, and his father David.

After getting acquainted with Christchurch for 24 hours, the Newtons and I drove to Queenstown at the southern tip of the south island. In Queenstown, we enjoyed skiing, luge-ing (like alpine slide), and riding a steamship which has been in use for over 100 years. 

After the fantastic holiday, we returned to Christchurch where I began attending Christ's College. I biked to school every morning enjoying the morning ride much more than the afternoon ride home which was often after a long run or basketball practice. At Christchurch, Parker, Daniel, and I took calculus, economics, English, history, and digital media. My favorite classes were history, in which we discussed the English Civil War, and digital media, during which I practiced my Photoshop skills. 

After school, I enjoyed running around Hagley Park with the harrier team or playing basketball with the Senior A team. On the weekends, I competed with the basketball team, and we won two games including a great comeback victory against St. Andrew's which is to Christ's College as Ensworth is to MBA. 

One interesting difference between Christ's College and MBA is the schedule. Like MBA, the College boys go to the same classes everyday, but they change the order of the classes providing some variety from day to day. Also most boys bring their lunch and eat it in their respective houses. I was in Harper House and spent morning and afternoon tea with Michael and the other Year 12's (juniors). They were very entertaining, and I really enjoyed spending time with them. 

I could go write about this trip forever and did on my other blog, so if you want more information please go to http://christscollege.blogspot.com/

I would like to thank Mr. Gioia, Mr. Leese, Mr. Porter, the Newtons, and especially Mr. and Mrs. Warner for making this trip possible. I am very grateful for the opportunity to have experienced a different part of the world and cannot express my amazement at the generosity of the Warner family and Montgomery Bell Academy. I highly recommend that all juniors pursue these opportunities. I have attached some pictures below. Cheers!




Pavlova



Sheep shearing at Walter Peak Farm

Bungee Jumping from Kawarau Bridge - the world's first bungee!

Harper House with the Year 12s (Juniors)

The Americans

Basketball with Parker Logan, Michael Newton, and Lachy Stark

Parker Logan - Christchurch

Here is my blog that I did throughout my trip. Hope you enjoy!
http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog/parkerlogan/1/tpod.html