GUELPH – If all goes well, starting next school year, the Wellington Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) will be offering an international education program.
During the 2020-21 school year, the board conducted a review of international education programs and potential options within its secondary schools to welcome international students.
In a Feb. 7 board meeting, trustees heard from Mike MacPherson, the board’s engagement lead and principal of the virtual school, on the work the board has been doing to jumpstart the program.
In his presentation, MacPherson, who has been the lead contact on the initiative, said the board is looking at offering an international education program for a number of reasons.
“One is to provide diversity in student population which would provide new learning opportunities for our students and also the students that we would welcome,” he explained.
“It would allow for more global perspectives within our learning environment and an appreciation of different cultures and perspectives.”
He added, “It would improve cross cultural communication and critical thinking skills.
“And it would provide our international students with access to a world class education system to come join and learn with us.”
The board has been working with Muskoka-Languages-International (MLI) to establish possible program options.
As a provider of international education programs with many years of experience with both public and Catholic school boards, MLI is well prepared to support the board in developing a longer-term plan to expand options and programs for international students, MacPherson said.
Information from the board has been provided to the Ministry of Education for review and the board is currently awaiting approval to welcome international students.
MacPherson said the board anticipates it may be able to welcome students as early as September, with an opportunity to develop a plan for a gradual increase in student participation over the next five years.
He said the board would help set up an orientation to Canada, provide English as a second language (ESL) support in its schools, and help with the academic monitoring.
“We would be providing those cultural experiences where our students are getting the full benefit of the schools and participating in things like extracurriculars and being able to take part in class trips, school trips and looking for schools to be providing those additional experiences,” he explained.
“So students have a chance to experience not just Guelph but other parts of our province and country as well.”
The board has set international education goals, MacPherson said, which involves the development of a five-year gradual implementation plan including:
- increasing international student registrations;
- having international students in each of the board’s high school communities; and
- increasing length of stay as the board gains more experience with its partners.
Asked by trustee Sebastian Dal Bo about program fees, WCDSB director of education Mike Glazier said international students will be charged a fee for homestay programs and additional services.
“This is not something that we’re looking at in terms of profit per se,” he said.
“It’s really about the experience for our students and the opportunities.”
Trustee Cassandra O’Donnell expressed excitement about the program, asking if the board has a goal for the number of students it hopes will participate.
MacPherson said those are the conversations the board will be having with MLI.
“We certainly would hope as soon as possible, with approval, that we could start looking at bringing students in as early as next year,” he said.
“There are lots of possibilities for future students that will add a great deal of value to our schools and also enhance the experience for our current students.”
Glazier noted it’s a gradual process, adding one of the board’s next steps with be working with MLI to set targets.
“We’re not looking to have an immediate surge in the number of students that are coming in,” he said. “We want to make sure that we do this right.
“We want to work with the provider and make sure that it’s a successful experience for all of our students and our staff.”
MacPherson said, “Education is the world and when we allow our students into that world, we enhance that experience.”
Trustees approved the implementation of the international education program to welcome international students for in person learning beginning in the fall.
