Foreign Exchange Program brings new aspect to FC community

The Foreign Exchange Program has grown and flourished at FC since it’s origin in 2003, with over twenty foreign students in high school alone. The countries that these individuals originate from include and are not limited to Korea, China and Japan. Regardless of country or culture foreign students have had to assimilate to American society and the expectations of a different school system.

International students are required to be hosted by a family in the US, due to the fact that they are not yet qualified for citizenship. They undergo the same process for admittance into the FC community as all new students. After graduation, some decide to return to their native country while others seek to become permanent residents of the US.

Hoon Kim, ’16, moved from Korea two years ago and has attended FC since freshmen year. Kim does not plan to return to Korea after graduation. He says that while he was thrilled to explore a new country he was also nervous. In his opinion the most stark difference between Korean schools and American schools is the teacher student interactions.

“I felt a lot of emotions such as excitement about going to a new place,” Kim said. “At the same time I was a little scared too. The most different thing (about America) is that we joke more with our teachers than in Korea.”

Many times these students leave behind more than their homeland. Often in order to study abroad they give up family, friends, and deep set traditions.

Foreign exchange student, Min Lee ’16, has attended FC since her sophomore year. She says that leaving behind her family was and is a major struggle despite, the friends she has made at FC.

“The hardest thing for me moving here was learning the language and leaving my family,” Lee said. “I miss my family. I think going to Fresno Christian is better than public school so far. People are nice, teachers are nice and I love chapel.”

In addition to a whole new country, these students must also adjust to the atmosphere at FC. Foreign students are faced with a plethora of possible challenges in both the academic and social sphere.

Exchange student Trisha Qixue Cui, ’18, says that the kindness of Fc?s student body helped her to dispel many initial fears.

“Before I came here I was very anxious because I thought that my insufficient English skills would hold me back from adapting to this new environment,” Cui said. “But during these 3 weeks of school, I realized that everyone is friendly and supportive. I actually made a lot of friends. Nonetheless, I still know that it will take a considerable amount of time for me to get fully accustomed to American life”.

Last year international student Jason Kim ’14, started a lunchtime club for his fellow foreign students to discuss academic and social problems while building strong internal bonds. The program has continued through the 2014-15 school year but with a new leader.

Senior Toby Pan ’15, is a foreign exchange student from China. He arrived in the states last year and attended junior year at FC. He says that Kim?s guidance and tutorage inspired him to continue the foreign exchange lunch meetings, in order to benefit other students with similar struggles.

“I truly learned a lot from this club last year. When I first came here I had a huge language problem and a huge academic problem,” Pan said. “Jason Kim helped me through this program so I feel like I should keep running this club and help the new students.”

Dean of Students Amy Deffenbacher says that she is grateful for students like Pan who have taken time from their schedules to guide FC’s multicultural students. She anticipates that with time the foreign students will find their place on campus.

“We have a large group of international students and I am thankful for the opportunity they have to be here,” Deffenbacher said. “I am thankful for students like Toby who are organizing ways for them to meet together and connect with each other. I?m concerned mostly that they would find others that speak the same language as them so they can navigate the school expectations and the academic needs that they may have. I?m hopeful that as the weeks pass they will be more and more comfortable on our campus.”

Anthony Zhng, ’15, is a Chinese international student who moved to the U.S last year. He spent some time in the Chicago area before coming to the Central Valley and attending FC. He says that he enjoys the school?s calm mood and is debating upon playing basketball this year.

“I love it here,” Zhng said. “It is a very peaceful school. My favorite class is PE because I like moving and hanging out with my friends. I?m probably going to join the FC basketball team when the season starts.”

International student meetings are held every Thursday at lunch in room 602. For more information check the high school office or with Toby Pan.

For more features read the Sept 4 article, Advisory period offers academic assistance.

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