Following two years of dormancy, the International Students Program reopened in February and has rebounded to pre-pandemic numbers.

Coordinator Carolyn Bolivar-Getson says the number of international students visiting the South Shore has soared.

“We had to cut off our numbers this year. We’re back to full-fledged pre-COVID numbers based on the amount of home stays that we have. The home stays are what we’re looking to acquire more of, at this point in time, to grow the program,” said Bolivar-Getson. “But the students are there. The students are there, and the students are ready to come.”

Currently, 122 students from countries around the world are enrolled at schools across the South Shore and Bolivar-Getson expects that number to increase to 135 or more in the fall.

Bolivar-Getson says international students are often the first introduction many local students have to a diverse culture.

“In some of these schools, it’s the only diversity that we have. When I look at these schools and how well the international students integrate into the Canadian families and into the classroom, it’s wonderful to see,” Bolivar-Getson.

Anyone wishing to be a host family for an international student can contact Carolyn Bolivar-Getson at cbg@ssrce.ca.

E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

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