INSIDE:
NEWS/STORIES/ARTICLES
Book Reviews
Columns/Opinion/Cartoon
Films
International
National
NW/Local
Recipes
Special A.C.E. Stories
Online
Paper (PDF)
NW RESOURCE GUIDE
Archives
Consulates
Organizations
Scholarships
Special Sections
Upcoming
The Asian Reporter Tenth Annual Scholarship & Awards Banquet - Saturday, April 26th.
Asian Reporter Info
AR
Merchandise
Contact Us
Subscription Info. & Back Issues
ASIA LINKS
Asian Studies
Currency Exchange
More Asian Links
Public Holidays
Time Zones
Copyright © 2000 - 2008
AR Home
Where EAST meets the Northwest
GLOBAL SCHOLAR. Exchange student Miroo Kim, center, of South Korea, is seen with other students at the Harrisburg Academy in Wormleysburg, Pa. Kim, 18, has spent the past four years studying in this country and is among 14 international students at the school. (AP Photo/The Patriot-News, Michael Fernandez)
From The Asian Reporter, V17, #45 (November 6, 2007), page 8.
Foreign students adjust to life in the U.S.
By Sue Gleiter
The (Harrisburg) Patriot-News
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — When Miroo Kim arrived in the United States from South Korea to study, one of the first observations she made was that Americans like to smile.
"I like how people smile a lot for each other," she said.
Kim, 18, has spent the past four years studying in this country, the last two at the Harrisburg Academy in Wormleysburg. She is among 14 international students representing about a half-dozen countries.
Like her American counterparts, Miroo has a MySpace page, plenty of Korean and American friends, including a steady boyfriend, and aspirations to study at an American college.
It’s an easier time for exchange students at Harrisburg Academy, where the student body is so diverse the international visitors — with their backpacks and cell phones — blend in as they walk the hallways.
The academy goes to great lengths to ensure exchange students feel comfortable in and out of school, said Jessica Warren, director of admissions and financial aid.
The school works with a half-dozen agencies to select the students. An extensive application process — involving phone interviews, background checks, and references — helps to pair students with the school’s academic courses and appropriate host family.
"Our school community is made richer when students of different backgrounds come in," Warren said.
"I like it. It’s so fun, and it has been easy to fit in," said Bernhard Siegert, 17, of Germany.
Like many of the international students, he said the main reason for coming here is to improve his English. So far, Siegert said he has found classes to be challenging, not on account of the content but the fact the subjects are taught in English.
"They feel English is the world’s language," said Deb Hurley, program administrator with Cultural Homestay International, a nonprofit educational exchange program that places international students in American schools.
"They come to learn about America and American culture. In most countries, they have their own TV networks, they are seeing American shows and movies. They want to experience what they see in the movies. They see America as being a foremost country in our way of thinking, our lifestyle," she said.
The agency requires students to pass an English proficiency test, but they do not need to speak English fluently, she said.
"Coming into a high school academic year program, they are immersed into the culture, living in a host family home where they are speaking and hearing English and being taught in an American school," Hurley said.
Aurelie Tourret, 18, graduated from school in France and is taking a year to study abroad in the States. Her decision to come here was prompted by the fact she knows her host family, the Jorgensens of Hampden Township.
About 14 years ago Heather Jorgensen’s brother was stationed in France and met Tourret’s father. The families remained in touch.
Jorgensen, a Latin and history teacher at the academy, said Tourret is helpful around the house and assists with her three children, Marissa, 13, Christian, 7, and Ryan, 2.
"The two boys think of her as a big sister," Jorgensen said.
Her husband, Rob, is serving in Afghanistan for 14 months so she confesses it hasn’t been easy overseeing four children.
She recognizes it is important for Tourret to have her own space and encourages the girl to do activities outside of the home such as going to dinner or movies with friends.
"When we talk to families, we talk about opening up their hearts and homes. They are opening up their life and absorbing this extra person. It is a commitment. In the beginning most are nervous but fall into it and love it," Warren said.
Tom and Susan McGarrity of Derry Township are hosting Kim for a second year and have forged a special bond with the teen.
Their youngest son, Mickey, 17, a senior at the academy, was adopted from Korea. He was able to visit Kim’s family over the summer.
At first, having a newcomer in the house required some adjustments.
"It’s a little hard to jump into having someone come in to your home at age 14, 15, or 16 and exert discipline, but the agency helps," Tom McGarrity said.
The exchange students are told if they are caught underage drinking the police will come after their visas, he said. In many countries the drinking age is lower than here in the United States.
Topics such as smoking, pets, curfew, and religion are addressed ahead of time so students and host families are on the same page, Warren said.
"You want the students to feel welcomed and supported and hopefully loved. You want it to be a good environment for them. They are thousands and thousands of miles away from home. Not even from a cultural standpoint, but for example, when it comes to pets, some students are deathly afraid of or allergic to pets. There are all sorts of criteria to look at," Warren said.