International students in Sudbury receive truly Canadian experience
Leaving home and coming to Canada to go to school is an adventure many students don’t get to experience.
But here in Sudbury, there are more than 30 students from across the world.
“People in Canada are very friendly and just so nice,” said Grade 11 student Miku Kikuchi, who came to Canada from Japan in April for school.
Miku had to complete courses online to finish up last year, which she said was challenging on top of being in a brand new country.
“I took online class and it was hard, but now I can go to school and meet my friends and teachers and it was nice,” she said.
Although here for school, the past few months have brought her way more than just a Canadian education.
“I went to Toronto and Niagara Falls with my host family, which is nice,” Miku said.
For her host family, Karen Bass, this is the first time they have officially opened up their doors to an international student.
“It’s a lot of fun experiencing things for the first time through someone else’s eyes who have never experienced these things that we just take for granted in our country,” said Bass.
“I think it’s really important that she experiences the Canadian way, which is just hanging out with family, you know, bonfires, we did s’mores, wiener roast, this winter taking her ice fishing, trying snowmobiling, sliding, all these opportunities that she would not have to do in her own country. These are the kind of things I want her to experience while she’s here so she can take these memories home with her.”
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board has students from all around the world, including Japan, China, Germany Spain, and Poland. For this school year, there are 28 secondary students in Sudbury and four elementary-aged students.
Although many of the students are here already, there are five coming over in the New Year.
“We take the opportunity to open up our borders and our schools to everyone and it provides our students with a lot more opportunity to interact and learn things about all over the world,” said Cheryl Ann Corallo, who's with the school board. “We are creating global citizens.”
Grade 11 student Miku Kikuchi came to Canada from Japan in April for school. (Photo courtesy of Karen Bass)
Corallo said the experience has been well received in the past five years by staff and students from both Sudbury and other countries. Host families play a critical role in making this possible.
“It’s not just a matter of finding a family, it’s a matter of finding a family that’s a good fit for the student that’s coming,” she said. “We have a process that we go through to make sure that the families that are chosen are a fit and welcoming.”
Corallo said families that are interested can call the board office to get more information on hosting international students.
Speaking from experience, though, Bass said hosting doesn’t come without challenges.
“I think that challenge is the fact that she is so shy and so afraid to say anything because there is an insecurity with the language barrier,” said Bass.
However, she said she wouldn’t hesitate to open up her home again.
“As the months have gone by, we see her opening up more and actually communicating," Bass said.
"So in the beginning it is hard. It’s sign language, it’s pointing at things, writing things down because reading and comprehension re skills are much better than the verbalization.”
Bass said that Miku has been an amazing addition to the entire family.
“I went to fishing with my grand… with my host grandfather,” said Miku.
And the family adventures don’t stop there.
“Her best friend is my father, grandpa, and he takes her fishing and so they’ve been having a blast because there’s no talking involved -- it’s just fishing so it’s a lot of fun,” said Bass.
“The whole family has embraced her. We just had a birthday party for her. I’m treating her no different than I’d treat my own child.”
With Mother Nature soon to give Miku a taste of what’s to come this winter, she said she is nervous. But with a winter jacket in hand, she’s ready for the rest of her time here in Sudbury.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
BREAKING Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are moving on to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.