Foreign exchange students bring a school year of diversity

By Lauren Kosydar

Bishop Kelly beautifully crafts a diverse atmosphere within the student life of high school. Even in the words of our school motto, "…Through a diverse and comprehensive education in the Catholic tradition," we develop an image of a diverse school. As the only private Catholic high school in Idaho, we hold a cultural experience within the halls of our building; it is surprisingly true that Boise has become an area of interest to students abroad.
With a new school year comes a time for a fresh start, and within that idea are many new faces. Our foreign exchange students come from 10 different countries. This has made our school even more diverse then last year. This year the majority of our foreign exchange students are not only from Asia, but from Europe as well.
Leon Leinweber, from Germany, participated in our foreign exchange student survey. When he was asked what he likes about being at Bishop Kelly, he replied, "Everybody is friendly, A.P. Computer Science is very good." Anne Broedback, from Denmark gave me some feedback on her story. "I miss my family and friends the most. But life is about new experiences, and everything is a new experience while I am here."
The only freshman foreign exchange student from China, Yifan He, or otherwise known as Monica, told me a lot about her first few couple weeks of high school in America. "American schooling is very different. Sometimes I don't understand the teachers, but all the teachers and classmates are trying to help me." Displaying a smile she says, "I really enjoy the American high school life." I asked how we can help our foreign exchange students feel more comfortable with their work and understanding the teachers, she says, "Sometimes we have assignments due at the end of the period, and its very stressful for me to finish them in such short time, maybe a little extra time to work would be helpful."
Living near Beijing, Yifan He said she misses her family from back home. "I really miss our conversations around the table about worldly topics; I don't have that with my host family. I miss my friends too; adjusting to a new school in a new country and making new friends in the process, is very hard for me."
It can be very tough making new friends at a different school, but in a whole new country makes it even more difficult. Having students from different countries makes school life more interesting, Bishop Kelly wouldn't be the same without it. We need to reach out and make an attempt to help those adjusting to the culture of an American high school, and really begin our 2009-2010 Bishop Kelly family. Get to know our foreign exchange students, become enriched by their stories and help your school year at BK turn into a cultural experience.

Foreign exchange students bring a school year of diversity

By Lauren Kosydar

Bishop Kelly beautifully crafts a diverse atmosphere within the student life of high school. Even in the words of our school motto, "…Through a diverse and comprehensive education in the Catholic tradition," we develop an image of a diverse school. As the only private Catholic high school in Idaho, we hold a cultural experience within the halls of our building; it is surprisingly true that Boise has become an area of interest to students abroad.
With a new school year comes a time for a fresh start, and within that idea are many new faces. Our foreign exchange students come from 10 different countries. This has made our school even more diverse then last year. This year the majority of our foreign exchange students are not only from Asia, but from Europe as well.
Leon Leinweber, from Germany, participated in our foreign exchange student survey. When he was asked what he likes about being at Bishop Kelly, he replied, "Everybody is friendly, A.P. Computer Science is very good." Anne Broedback, from Denmark gave me some feedback on her story. "I miss my family and friends the most. But life is about new experiences, and everything is a new experience while I am here."
The only freshman foreign exchange student from China, Yifan He, or otherwise known as Monica, told me a lot about her first few couple weeks of high school in America. "American schooling is very different. Sometimes I don't understand the teachers, but all the teachers and classmates are trying to help me." Displaying a smile she says, "I really enjoy the American high school life." I asked how we can help our foreign exchange students feel more comfortable with their work and understanding the teachers, she says, "Sometimes we have assignments due at the end of the period, and its very stressful for me to finish them in such short time, maybe a little extra time to work would be helpful."
Living near Beijing, Yifan He said she misses her family from back home. "I really miss our conversations around the table about worldly topics; I don't have that with my host family. I miss my friends too; adjusting to a new school in a new country and making new friends in the process, is very hard for me."
It can be very tough making new friends at a different school, but in a whole new country makes it even more difficult. Having students from different countries makes school life more interesting, Bishop Kelly wouldn't be the same without it. We need to reach out and make an attempt to help those adjusting to the culture of an American high school, and really begin our 2009-2010 Bishop Kelly family. Get to know our foreign exchange students, become enriched by their stories and help your school year at BK turn into a cultural experience.