SUDBURY -- Four international students are adjusting to life in Sudbury as part of a program with the Sudbury Catholic District School Board.
Three of the students will be studying at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School, while the fourth will be attending St. Charles College. It’s part of the school board’s ‘International Education’ program, which first began nearly two years ago.
“International students come to Sudbury and experience our wonderful climate and culture and experiences, northern experiences, coupled with obviously increasing their English proficiency,” said Laura Kuzenko, principal of St. Benedict. “The primary goal is to attend a Canadian high school and pass and achieve their English proficiency and be able to apply to post-secondary here in Canada.”
Grade 10 student, Tomo Uehara is adjusting to his first Canadian winter. He comes from Japan, where he says temperatures only get as cold as four degrees.
“I wanted to learn the culture, but mainly, I just wanted to increase my English skills. But I like the school and I like talking to people so it’s a great place,” said Uehara.
At St. Benedict’s, the students are placed under the direct supervision of the school’s vice-principal, who is responsible for monitoring their progress and ensuring they have any support they need.
“Our teachers are quite accustomed to follow our students closely and understand when and what kind of supports they might need, especially when they initially arrive,” said Kuzenko. “They aren’t only navigating a completely different education system, completely different language but also a brand new environment.”
While they have only just begun their studies in Sudbury, Uehara does note that there are striking differences in the culture. Not only is the concept of switching classrooms and teachers throughout the day new to him, but so are the human interactions.
“In school, in Japan, we are told to greet everyone, like teachers and students, every time we go past people. Over here, we don’t have that. It’s different!”
The school is also welcoming Huy Doan from Vietnam and Zhou Zifeng from China. Zifeng is hoping to stay in Canada long-term, and continue his studies at a post-secondary institution in Toronto. He says compared to his school at home, there are many more course options available here.
“In Chinese high schools, we can’t learn accounting, just math, Chinese, and English, but here, I can learn accounting. I think, wow! So cool!”
In addition to support from the vice-principal, Kuzenko says Canadian students who are part of the school’s student success team have been matched with the international students as well. While benefits for them are obvious, she says they bring just as much to the school’s community.
“It goes beyond just what we have just in the building because the students become friends. When the placements finish, some of them are here for 10 months, so Tomo is here for 10 months, and some are here to actually graduate so they do become quite close and close friends.”
Considering himself a shy person, Uehara is hoping the program helps him grow.
“I want to be a very open person. I tend to be shy. In Japan, I like to meet new people but I wasn’t very good at meeting new people. Through this program, I want to be a very open person, very bright!”
