By Grant Ingalls
Review Intern
During the 2015-16 school year, Lake Orion High School hosted 17 international exchange students from 11 different countries. Now, looking to this year, the Dragons are hoping for that number to grow.
“Two years ago, we had 12 and so far this year, we have 13,” said LOHS counselor Michele Novak.
“We’re hoping for more,” she added. “The problem is finding host families, and we understand it’s a big commitment for a family to take someone in. So students are available, we just need to find the families.”
Requirements to be a host family are having a genuine willingness to share your family’s daily life with an international student. A bedroom must be provided, along with a desk and closet, and three balanced meals a day. Also, the families must pass an interview, home visit and criminal background check.
One of the incentives families receive for hosting are monthly stipends of $300 dollars per student. Families also receive 24/7 local and national support, host family orientation and relationships that last a lifetime.
“We don’t have any issues with kids. They come here, they get good grades and just really want to learn,” Novak said.
“They also really just want to be a part of the family, too,” she added. “It’s not their idea to be entertained; they want to fit right in.”
The students that come are between the ages of 14-18 and speak English. The international students fit in well with the kids already here.
“I think it’s good for both kids coming here and students in high school,” explained Novak. “Our students learn so much from the international kids; they get first hand experience by listening to the international students talk about their governments and culture. It’s really eye-opening for a lot of our kids.”
“Also they see a lot of similarities from music and film to fashion, so I think it’s a great opportunity for both.”
The company that works with the international exchange is Educhius.
“Oakland Schools has adopted them as the international company because they seem to screen the kids very well. They come over very proficient in English. They also come from good families and there’s never any issues,” said Novak.
One thing about the international students is when they begin school, they get involved with things fast.
“The 17 students last year did very well, and they were with the school right away either it be playing football, skiing, tennis, soccer, and theater,” said Novak. “The kids were involved in programs all year long, and the coaches and teachers are great to them.”
Coming from the other side of the world to a small town such as Lake Orion has many differences but the foreign students embrace the warm and caring community.
“The one thing they said they really love about Lake Orion is that we’re this small-town community that supports everything, how our school supported football or band and choir,” Novak said. “They can really feel how kind and welcoming the town is, and they appreciate it.”
“Overall, I think the diversity of international students is a great opportunity for our kids and school,” she reiterated.
For more information on the opportunity to host an international exchange student, contact Novak at mnovak@lakeorion.k12.mi.us.