13 June 2010
St Mary's College Students meet Banjul Mayor
A group of twenty-eight students from St Mary's College in Maryland, United States, recently made a visit to the Mayor of Banjul City Council, Samba Faal.
In his welcoming remarks, Mayor Samba Faal said that the student exchange programme between the University of the Gambia and St Mary's College in Maryland is one of the best things that has happened to Gambian education.
He stated that many students from the University of the Gambia have been to the United States for studies as part of the programme and have come back to contribute their part to the development of the country.
This, he said, has also immensely helped in fostering a better world view among participants noting that cultural exchange increases tolerance between people and makes them better persons.
The head of the student group Professor Bill Roberts thanked the Mayor for the warm welcome accorded them at such a short notice.
"This is an affirmation of why I have over the years brought students from America to know about the local Gambian culture. They can learn from Gambians how to be more generous. They can learn how to be more friendly" he said.
He added that the visit would not only give the students an opportunity to learn about the Gambian Culture but will also help them to know themselves better.
A Psychology and History student from the college Katelyn McKerlie said that she has had a great experience since she arrived in The Gambia saying "I am grateful for the experience I have had".
For Sam Horrocks, he has been amazed at everybody's willingness to talk to everybody and how less wasteful the citizens are compared to those of his country. He concluded that in the United States people are less friendly and everything is so big and extravagant.
One of the local language instructors of the group Naisatiou Conteh-Jatta said that the group has made tremendous progress in learning to speak the local languages. Learning about other cultures, she continued, will help improve their knowledge about other people and their differences while taking their lives to another level.
In his welcoming remarks, Mayor Samba Faal said that the student exchange programme between the University of the Gambia and St Mary's College in Maryland is one of the best things that has happened to Gambian education.
He stated that many students from the University of the Gambia have been to the United States for studies as part of the programme and have come back to contribute their part to the development of the country.
This, he said, has also immensely helped in fostering a better world view among participants noting that cultural exchange increases tolerance between people and makes them better persons.
The head of the student group Professor Bill Roberts thanked the Mayor for the warm welcome accorded them at such a short notice.
"This is an affirmation of why I have over the years brought students from America to know about the local Gambian culture. They can learn from Gambians how to be more generous. They can learn how to be more friendly" he said.
He added that the visit would not only give the students an opportunity to learn about the Gambian Culture but will also help them to know themselves better.
A Psychology and History student from the college Katelyn McKerlie said that she has had a great experience since she arrived in The Gambia saying "I am grateful for the experience I have had".
For Sam Horrocks, he has been amazed at everybody's willingness to talk to everybody and how less wasteful the citizens are compared to those of his country. He concluded that in the United States people are less friendly and everything is so big and extravagant.
One of the local language instructors of the group Naisatiou Conteh-Jatta said that the group has made tremendous progress in learning to speak the local languages. Learning about other cultures, she continued, will help improve their knowledge about other people and their differences while taking their lives to another level.
