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PRESS RELEASE
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
AGBU Sister Schools Complete Another Exciting Student Exchange Program
Marie Manoogian Institute Students Return Home Ready to Host
Californian Peers in Buenos Aires this July
Youth from the AGBU Marie Manoogian Institute in Buenos Aires and the
AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School (MDS) in Los Angeles may live
thousands of miles apart, but they became the closest of friends
during this winter’s Student Exchange Program. Now in its 14th year,
the annual AGBU program recently brought 18 students from Argentina to
California, where, for three unforgettable weeks, they learned,
created and explored alongside their peers.
From the moment the Marie Manoogian students stepped off the plane on
Friday, January 11, 2013, until their farewell party on Friday,
February 1, 2013, they had a complete cultural immersion experience:
they lived with host families, enrolled in MDS courses and ventured
out on local excursions. The diverse group was filled with Armenian as
well as non-Armenian youth; for decades, the school has attracted
families from all across Buenos Aires seeking a high-quality
education, and the exchange program’s integrated curriculum opened
every participant’s eyes to a new and exciting world abroad.
Accompanied by their English Department coordinator Miriam Boghossian
Tabakian – who created the program with AGBU Central Board member
Carol Aslanian in 1999 – the exchange students enjoyed a full
itinerary. Every school day, MDS teachers welcomed the 10th and 11th
graders into their classrooms, where they studied English
conversation, writing and literature, as well as American and Armenian
history. The students traded pens for paintbrushes during art classes
with their MDS peers, and discovered some of the greatest works from
the Renaissance to the 20th century when they joined their new MDS
friends on a field trip to the Getty Museum. In between, special class
periods helped the youth master the footwork of traditional Armenian
dances, skills they displayed during the lunch on the last day of
their stay.
When weekends arrived, the exchange students had even more to look
forward to – spending time with the 12 host families who generously
opened their homes, and visiting famous tourist attractions. With an
outing to Universal Studios, where they got a behind-the-scenes look
at legendary movie and television sets, as well as a trip to
Disneyland, the group found the perfect balance between recreation and
education.
A special gathering organized by the MDS Parent Teacher Organization
gave the students and their host families the opportunity to reflect
on everything they had learned and experienced prior to their
departure. During the event, which drew 60 guests, the students,
parents and educators each took the podium to share highlights from
this year’s visit and the program’s positive impact. As MDS Principal
Mr. Hagop Hagopian stated, “The intrinsic value of the student
exchange program between the AGBU schools in Buenos Aires and Canoga
Park lies in the lifelong memories and lasting friendships that have
been created among participating students since 1999, as much as the
learning experiences and cultural enrichment derived from it. Special
thanks to host parents, teachers, administrators, and AGBU leadership
for their support and invaluable contributions for the continuing
success of this wonderful program.” Mr. Hagopian also awarded each
student with a certificate of completion officially documenting their
participation in the program.
After three fun-filled weeks, it was difficult for the MDS and Marie
Manoogian students to say goodbye to one another. Thankfully, they
won’t have to wait too long before they meet again. This July, the MDS
students will travel to Buenos Aires for their chance to see a new
city – and catch up with old friends.
Established in 1906, AGBU () is the world’s largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU
preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through
educational, cultural and humanitarian programs, annually touching the
lives of some 400,000 Armenians around the world.
For more information about AGBU and its worldwide programs, please
visit
From: Baghdasarian