New regulations could end Tahitian exchange trip By Melissa Auchard Tahitian parent teaches Drake students how to make traditional poisson cru on March 27, 2019 Drake students swim with sting rays and sharks in Moorea on April 2, 2019 Drake students wade in a river after a sunny hike on April 1, 2019 T his April, as Drake students wave goodbye to their Tahitian counterparts in Fa’a’a International Airport, they may also be waving goodbye to the future of all Drake Tahitian exchange trips. Due to new board regulations on water activities, the Tahitian exchange may be in its final years. It’s been nearly nine years now that French teacher Tahia Rosenthal-Cox put on an exchange program between Drake students and students from Lycée Samuel Raapoto in Tahiti. While in Tahiti, Drake students get the opportunity to swim with stingrays and sharks, learn to surf, wade underneath waterfalls, and hike in the luscious green of the island. However as attractive as these festivities may seem, they don’t compare to the learning done or the longtime friendships made, according to senior Mishka Heath, who visited last year. The exchange program fully immerses Americans into the French language and Tahitian culture, and the Tahitians into American culture and the English language. It’s now unclear whether or not the 5 The Jolly Roger | April 2020 trip will continue for ensuing years as a result of the districts new trip regulations: students can only swim in the ocean during the two Tam District board approved outings: surfing lessons and a lagoon excursion on the island of Moorea. Furthermore, one chaperon needs to be lifeguard certified. If these rules are well followed, the exchange trip will continue. Years prior, the board leniently regulated the trip. “Most of the time when we were with our friends, we were in knee-deep water,” said Heath. Questioning the district’s decision he stated, “Like really, you’re scared of us drowning?” Ryder LeVieux, a Drake senior, is preparing for her second exchange trip to Tahiti. LeVieux believes that the district’s decision to restrict swimming demeans the host families. “When the Tahitians come to America, their families trust us with their children’s safety. These rules are very suggestive to the Tahitian families that they are not trusted with our safety, which is extremely disrespectful in my opinion,” said LeVieux. She also emphasized that the trip is during the Tahitian students’ spring break. Many of the host families have already planned ways they want to spend their breaks; most of which involve water, said LeVieux. LeVieux presumes that these regulations will make it difficult for the Drake students to follow the rules put in place by the district while still respecting the host families’ leisure time. “These rules are very suggestive to the Tahitian families that they are not trusted with our safety...” Tam District’s new swimming regulations drastically change the Tahitian exchange. For many students, not swimming will pose great difficulty. April 2020 may witness the end of the program. NEWS
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