This article is a fuller version of the article printed in the district’s November 2013 Newsletter.
International students Martin, Khanh and Diego attend the Jr/Sr High School while living with host families in the community.
The New Lebanon Central School District welcomed three international students into the Jr/Sr High School community for the 2013-14 school year.
Diego of Brazil, Khanh of Vietnam and Martin of Denmark will spend the school year staying with host families. All three students have been to the United States before and are enjoying the opportunity to attend school in New Lebanon and experience the local culture.
New Lebanon School Superintendent Karen McGraw was interested in opening up the district to international students this year and applied for authorization from the federal government. Once approved, the district partnered with Educatius International to assist in identifying students who would be appropriate for our New Lebanon program. The students are responsible for paying the district tuition and there is a stipend to host families.
“We wanted to have international students join the school community to provide an opportunity for our students to experience cultural diversity and to gain an understanding of our place in globalization,” said Superintendent McGraw. “We’re delighted to have these students here with us and thank our host families for making them feel at home.”
New Lebanon Jr/Sr High School Principal Matthew Klafehn and Kristin Carson, the school’s international coordinator and library assistant, began working with Educatius during the summer to coordinate the students’ placement and arrival.
Now that Diego, Khanh and Martin have settled in a bit, they took some time to share how things are going. They do what teenagers anywhere do—listen to music, hang out with friends, play sports and use social media. Two of the students have already joined one of the school’s athletic teams.
Diego
Diego, age 16, was welcomed by Liz and Bob Kroboth and their children Nicholas, 20, Katy, 18, and Colleen, 16. At the time the district’s fall newsletter was being prepared, plans were underway for Diego to transition to the Lambert household where he will stay with Tim and Robin Lambert and their children Casey, 21, Gabrielle, 15, Tim, 14, James, 12, and Dylan, 10, for the rest of the school year.
“We’re really excited to have Diego join us,” said Robin Lambert. “We’re busy organizing and getting his room ready.”
Diego first came to the U.S. about four years ago when he visited Disney World in Florida.
“I fell in love with the country and decided I wanted to live in American culture,” he said. When it was mentioned that living in the U.S. is not like Disney, he smiled and replied, “I know.”
Among the courses Diego is taking this year are English 11, US History, Economics, Government, Earth Science and Algebra. With shorter classes and more moving about throughout the day, Diego said he likes how different the school day is here from what he’s used to in Brazil.
He added, “Everyone is really nice here at school and I really like the way they teach.”
Digeo enjoys cooking and is always open to trying new foods. He made Brigadeiro, a Brazilian chocolate bonbon that is similar to a chocolate truffle, for friends at school to try. Those that had the opportunity to grab one before they were gone raved about the treat.
Within Diego’s first few weeks here he had his first donut from Dunkin Donuts –Boston crème in case you’re wondering. With a devilish smile Diego said, “It was delicious.”
Learning that Diego likes to cook, Lambert said, “It’s no problem if Diego wants to cook if he chooses to. With a big family, we all try to help each other out.”
This winter, Diego is excited to ski for the first time. It works well since the Lamberts are a skiing and snowboarding family. Diego also plans to play on the volleyball team.
Lambert said she and Tim are looking to support Diego in whatever he wants to do while he is here.
“This is Diego’s chance to experience American life and we want him to have the best experience he can,” said Lambert. “We will help him be educated on American culture and our American family.”
Khanh
Khanh, 16, is a senior hosted by Tracy and Gary Bingham, their two sons Gary, 20, and Justin, 16, and Tracy’s mother, Judy. Having spent his junior year last year in Oklahoma, Khanh is no stranger to the American education system. He especially enjoys the shorter school day in the U.S. since a typical school day in Vietnam starts at 7 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m.
“It’s much easier to study here because there is more time to study,” said Khanh, who is taking a full schedule of courses, including Algebra I, US History, English 12, Intro to Business, Earth Science, Physical Education and Economics. He’s also receiving support to improve his English skills. Khanh said he plans to get his high school diploma from New Lebanon and apply to colleges in the U.S.
He also plays on the school’s soccer team with Justin Bingham, who is a junior at New Lebanon Jr/Sr High School. He is interested in playing soccer in the spring with the New Lebanon Soccer Club, a travel team through the Capital District Youth Soccer League (CDYSL). Like Diego, Khanh is excited to ski for the first time and because the Binghams are into skiing—the oldest son Gary is a ski and snowboard instructor–it will be something the family does together.
Coming from a big city in Vietnam, Khanh said he enjoys the fresh air and slower pace. He misses food from back home, especially Pho noodles, but is open to trying new foods. Asked what he thinks of American food, Khanh said, “There is a lot more bread, potatoes and pasta in this country.” To that Tracy Bingham responded, “It’s funny that he noticed that. I guess we do have one of those things every night.”
While Khanh misses his family, including his 13-year-old brother, it’s gotten easier since he’s done this before. He’s making new friends and was even crowned “king” of homecoming. In the Bingham house, Khahn already feels at home and helps with the chores.
“Khanh is so helpful around the house. He always checks in with everybody to see how they are doing,” Bingham said. Her mom, Judy, added, “Khanh is wonderful. He comes home from school and asks me how I’m feeling today.”
The Bingham family is excited to have Khanh in their home this year. In summer 2012 and during school breaks throughout the last school year, the Bingham’s hosted two students, one from Russia and another from Taiwan, through a local private school. Those students meshed so well into their family life that Bingham said her family wanted to do it again. Khahn had an opportunity to meet those students when they visited in September.
“We live in a small town and opening up our home to international students is a good opportunity for my two boys to be exposed to different cultures, so they know about life outside of our town,” said Bingham. “It’s such an amazing experience to welcome a new person into your family.
Martin
Martin, 16, is a junior hosted by Karl and Tina Erickson and their two sons, Clayton, 12, and Cole, 10. His first trip to the U.S. was a few years ago when his family traveled New England. Martin liked it so much he knew he wanted to experience education and family life in the U.S. and was matched with the Erickson family.
Tina Erickson said she and her husband were looking for an opportunity to host an international student By all accounts, things are off to a great start. Erickson said her sons were excited to learn Martin would be spending the school year with them.
“Before Martin even arrived the boys were saying they were going to have a big brother,” said Erickson. “Sports is our life and we knew Martin loves sports too so they already had that connection with him.”
But it’s not just about sports. “Clayton likes showing Martin the school routine. I think Martin appreciates learning from him, especially since he came to us after school had already started,” she said.
Among the courses Martin is taking this year are English 11, US History, University Physics, Algebra I, Career & Finance Management, Sports & Entertainment Marketing and Graphic Communications. He said the school day isn’t too different from Denmark but his vehicle for getting to and from school has changed. Here he takes the bus instead of riding his bicycle.
Erickson said she looks forward to sharing her family’s holiday traditions with Martin. She said they spent a September weekend in the Berkshires where they had a great time together swimming and playing soccer and golf. She said she’s planning family outings to take Martin to sporting events. Asked what kind of professional sports game he’d like to see, Martin said he’d love to go to a New England Patriots game, but “any” would be great.
Like Khanh, Martin also plays on the soccer team and plans to continue playing in the spring with CDYSL. He likes the community support he sees at games and is enjoying being in a small town, but still close enough to a city (Albany). Within his first few weeks here, Martin and a few of his soccer teammates made a trip to Crossgates Mall so he could shop and see the sights. In addition, he was crowned “prince” of the junior class at the homecoming festivities.
Erickson said Martin has noted how different soccer is in America. “He’s surprised there isn’t arguing and fighting between teams,” she said. “I guess there is a lot of that back home.”
When it comes to food, she said, “He is so easy. I try making different things and he’s open to trying everything. He eats any meats and vegetables.”
Martin uses Skype to keep in touch with his family back in Denmark, including his 19-year-old brother.
“It was exciting for my boys to see Martin’s home, his room and meet his brother on Skype,” Erickson said.