International program co-ordinator Jas Schmirler
Southwestern Alberta continues to be a popular destination for international students.
Sixty-four high school students from Austria, Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain and Turkey are enrolled this year in Livingstone Range School Division.
That number would likely be a lot higher if not for a shortage of host families.
“The growth of our program is really dependent on how many host families we have in each community,” international program co-ordinator Jas Schmirler said.
Trustees received an update from Schmirler during their Jan. 23 meeting at the G.R. Davis Administration Building in Fort Macleod.
There are 18 international students at F.P. Walshe school in Fort Macleod; 17 at J.T. Foster school in Nanton; 13 at Willow Creek Composite in Claresholm; six at both Matthew Halton school in Pincher Creek and Crowsnest Consolidated; and four at Livingstone school in Lundbreck.
Schmirler would prefer to see that number distributed more evenly.
“Generally our goal is to have at least 10 to 15 international students in each high school,” Schmirler said.
Schmirler said there has been strong growth in the school’s north corridor, from Fort Macleod to Nanton, thanks to willing host families.
“It’s the west where we are struggling a little bit with host families,” Schmirler said.
There is just one host family in Pincher Creek, housing two international students.
“We look like we’ll have the host families in place that we need,” Schmirler said of next year. “We still need lots of support from the west area.”
Host families welcome the international student as part of the family, providing a separate bedroom, meals and transportation to activities.
The host families also provide emotional and academic support.
There are opportunities to host a student for one semester or the entire school year, and to provide respite and emergency relief.
Host families will receive $850 a month next year to help with the cost of taking in an international student.
Schmirler told trustees benefits of having international students in a community include enriched cultural experiences and global connections for local students.
International students shop and spend money in the community, which provides an economic boost.
International students often return with their families in tow, providing a tourism boost.
Local schools receive tuition money, which aids the school environment and programming.
Trustees welcomed the news the international program is experiencing strong interest.
“Our kids benefit from having international students in school with them,” school board chair Lacey Poytress said.
