Local families host foreign exchange students
By Megan Bowers
October 25, 2004
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to travel to a foreign country where language was a barrier and you didn't know anybody?
Well, three foreign exchange students - Belle Jordao from Sao Paulo, Brazil, Niels Gayk from Bremen, Germany, and Kyo Sakagishi from Tokyo, Japan - are living this marvel experience at Silver Lake High School.
The three exchange students are sponsored by the Worldwide International Student Exchange, also known as WISE. WISE is responsible for finding the exchange students and lining them up with a host family. SLHS then waives enrollment and lunch fees for the students.
Jordao, who is currently staying with Jeff and Connie Mellies in Silver Lake, said that she enjoys the small town qualities.
"I like it here. Since it is small, you can get to know everybody and the students are very nice to me," Jordao said.
Perry and Marjorie Taylor sponsor Gayk and Sakagishi. Gayk also has an identical twin brother, Sorea Gayk, who attends school and plays soccer at Topeka High School. Although he misses his family back home, Gayk said that he is enjoying this new experience.
“Silver Lake is a very nice school. The students are friendly. This school is with 250 less students than my school in Germany with 600 students. It is nice to know all of the faces,” he stated.
Sakagishi feels the same.
“I’m enjoying my time here, and I really like friends. Many friends make me happy. Although I have to go back to Japan, I think that I want to graduate from Silver Lake High School,” he said.
The exchange students are well received at Silver Lake. Senior Shelley McClelland said that she feels like the exchange students teach everyone about the differences in the cultures.
“I believe hosting foreign exchange students has helped our small Silver Lake High School learn more about diversity (that) we currently do not have,” she replied.
Principal Larry Winter agreed with McClelland.
“I really think that it is a neat experience for our students to have the experience of firsthand visiting with people from other parts of the world,” Winter said.
Local families host foreign exchange students
Post your feedback on this topic here
| Date | Subject | Posted by: |
|---|---|---|
| 10/28/2004 | It's a great thing to be exposed to... | Tonya Akin |
| 10/28/2004 | interesting i would never do... | simon |
| 10/29/2004 | great job on this article meg. | hunter |
| 11/03/2004 | Great article Megan! | Erika |
