Africa-Press – Seychelles. Six students and a lecturer from the University of Seychelles will depart for Reunion Island on Sunday, April 5, for a three-week international internship.
The seven interns are Michelle Fabien, Cheryl Philoé, Elsie Souris, Joyce Arnephy, Gilly Jean, Heidi Benoit, and their lecturer, Zatabelle Labiche.
A brief departure ceremony was held yesterday morning on the Mont Fleuri campus of the University of Seychelles (UniSey), where the French major students officially received their plane tickets.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Seychelles, Joëlle Perreau, stated that this internship was an exceptional achievement for the institution and the Department of Languages, Education, and Media, noting that it was the first time in 16 years that French major students had been sent abroad in partnership with the University of Reunion Island. “This initiative demonstrates the university’s commitment to providing an international perspective across all its programs and will allow students to strengthen their language skills, gain professional experience, and contribute to the promotion of French in Seychelles,” said Joëlle Perreau, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Seychelles.
She also emphasized that this program was made possible through the combined efforts of various university departments and the support of the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development, which recognized the long-term benefits such an immersion would bring to students and the entire education sector.
Encouraging students to take full advantage of this opportunity, she indicated that the internship would be not only an academic experience but also a chance to immerse themselves in Réunion culture.
Justin Zelime, Principal Secretary for General Education and School Programs, expressed the Ministry of Education’s appreciation and satisfaction with these efforts, particularly in the area of training qualified primary and secondary school teachers.
Addressing the students, he described their participation in the internship as a significant achievement, emphasizing that they would represent Seychelles and the Ministry of Education during their three-week stay in Reunion Island.
“This experience will enrich your linguistic and teaching skills, while deepening your cultural understanding, which is essential in today’s interconnected world,” Mr. Zelime stressed.
Reaffirming the strong partnership between the Ministry of Education and the University of Seychelles, he stated that such collaboration is crucial for training a highly qualified teaching staff. He added that the internship would benefit not only the students but also the entire education system, particularly in strengthening French language teaching in schools.
He also congratulated the students, many of whom are already teachers, for successfully balancing their professional responsibilities and their studies, calling it an accomplishment they can be proud of.
Encouraging them to make the most of this opportunity, he urged them to represent Seychelles with pride and to return ready to inspire future generations, particularly by encouraging more students to pursue French language teaching.
The French Ambassador to Seychelles, Anne Tallineau, expressed her enthusiasm for the students preparing to undertake their internships, highlighting the unique opportunity to represent Seychelles abroad.
“Your presence in Reunion Island is not only an opportunity to study, but also to discover the local culture, build relationships, and contribute to French language teaching. You will be true ambassadors for Seychelles during your stay,” she said.
She added that this experience would allow the students to refine their French skills and support the promotion of the language, which she described as “the common language of the Indian Ocean.”
Wishing the students good luck, she encouraged them to make the most of their time abroad, to build lasting relationships, and to fully commit to their teaching placements.
Zatabelle Labiche, a lecturer in the Department of Education, Languages, and Media, explained that while students usually complete a four-week placement, this year they will spend three weeks in Réunion and one week in the Seychelles. “We will be going to Saint-Denis, and we already have a detailed program, including classroom visits in primary schools, secondary schools, and universities to observe how the local education system works,” she explained.
Ms. Labiche added that the students are very excited about this opportunity.unit. She explained that this experience will allow them to observe new teaching methods, acquire practical knowledge, and develop skills that will enrich their own teaching once they return to Seychelles.
She emphasized that this immersion not only strengthens their professional development but also contributes to the broader goal of improving French language teaching in the country.
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