Returning to school in Powell River this fall involves thousands of kilometres of travel for students enrolled in School District 47’s International Student Program.
Some of the students who will arrive in September have been here before and are returning to continue their studies. Others are coming to a completely foreign place for the first time and will be introduced to complete strangers who they will live with while staying in Powell River.
“Usually the young people are very excited, very grateful and exhausted,” said homestay parent Heather Gordon-Young.
Gordon-Young and her husband James Gordon opened their home to eight young international students this summer.
Since first becoming billets six years ago, Gordon-Young said her family had hosted all boys, until this year. This fall the household will host girls from Germany, China, Taiwan and Australia.
International Student Program district principal Shannon Behan said it is common for homestay families to take more than one student.
Behan works throughout the year to find homes for students who come to Powell River to study for a month, a few weeks or full year. International students are constantly coming through Powell River to learn, she said.
Simon Tam arrived in Powell River to study as an international student from Hong Kong in 1991. Coming from a big city to a small town was a shocker, said Tam.
“It was so laid-back,” he said. “It’s quite a quiet town.”
Tam was billeted with elementary school teacher Anita Adams’ family.
“Back then, they kind of treated me as their first child,” he said.
Tam went on to a study at University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon and now works in the oil and gas industry in Fort McMurray. He frequently returns to Powell River to visit the Adams family.
Behan is currently placing 60 students. Billets include traditional families with parents and children, single people and retirees.
“Families who are interested in taking international kids, they like having more than one,” said Behan. “They really enjoy the variety, culture, language and food, and meeting all of the different kids.”
Homestay families also receive financial remuneration of $850 per month per student, according to Behan.
Similar to most households, students in the program have rules to follow. Gordon-Young said her strengths in organization, structure and assertiveness helps to establish boundaries.
For the eight students who stayed with her this summer, Gordon-Young said she had a bulletin board with shower, laundry and lunch-making schedules.
“It required a lot of coordination,” she said.
All of the kids so far have been responsible and interested in their studies, said Gordon-Young. Not many challenges in terms of behavioural issues have arisen, including homesickness, she added.
The biggest reward for Gordon-Young is the value the household gains from the experience.
“I’ve gotten a lot personally from connecting with young people and we’re able to offer them another lens on life,” she said. “That feels like a gift to be able to do that.”
That gift has been returned in full by students who have stayed in contact over the years and some who have become like members of her family.
Gordon-Young said she has been touched by letters, including one from a child’s parents that read, “Thank you so much for helping our son become an adult.”
