JOHNSTOWN —
Bishop McCort Catholic High School introduced a new program this school year and it’s gone international.
The school rolled out its expanded international students program by welcoming 15 students from China and one from Austria who have the chance to experience what it’s like to study in an American high school.
“This will help us diversify the student population and expose our students to other cultures and languages,” said Principal Ken Salem.
While here, the international students live with host families in the region.
It is their intent to graduate with a Bishop McCort diploma in two to four years.
Salem said the school reached out to contacts in China who assisted in matching them up with the students.
“There is a great demand in China to study in the U.S. and then move on to an American college,” he said.
The students consist of four freshmen, four sophomores and eight juniors who spent a week prior to school getting acclimated with the building and meeting staff.
“They really want to be immersed in our culture and are excited about this unique learning opportunity,” Salem said.
The second phase of this program, which will launch next school year, consists of a partnership with the Confucius Institute at Pitt, where education graduate students will come to the school to teach Chinese culture and language.
“We’d like to grow this program to 35 to 40 students and have 10 percent of our student body being international students,” Salem said.
If that happens, the plan is to either build or renovate a facility in Johnstown’s 8th Ward to house the students. Three or four additional staff members would be hired to assist with student needs.
“This could happen next school year or the 2014-2015 year,” Salem said. “We want to be able to provide the best possible experience for these students.”
Victoria Shao, 16, said she is excited to be at McCort and looks forward to the experience.
“I like America and it’s always been my dream to study here,” the sophomore said.
She said, so far, her time in Johnstown has been positive and that the people and host families have been friendly to her and the other international students.
“I’m happy to be here, and this is a good school,” Victoria said.
Salem added that McCort has a holistic approach to education. A program of this nature fits in perfectly with its philosophy.
“This is a niche opportunity in today’s educational environment,” he said. “The key for us is to build successful relationships with desired countries and attract the right kind of student.”
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