This week the Farmer and I are preparing our spare rooms for
two special guests on the farm. We will have two international students staying
with us for the school year. In the past we have hosted students both short and
long term from China, Spain, Colombia and Brazil. This year our students are
coming all the way from Norway and Nigeria. We are one of dozens of host
families in Leeds Grenville.
Mina is a 17-year-old from a small town called Nittedal,
which is 30 minutes from Oslo by train. She likes arts and crafts, outdoor
activities, family gatherings and trips to the cottage. She is looking forward
to experiencing what it is to be Canadian, and she hopes to see a game of
hockey. I think we can help her out there. I’m happy to see she didn’t list a
lot of computer activity on her list of favourite things because what is the
point of visiting a new country if you never leave the computer room? Mina will
not be overly shocked by a Canadian winter, coming from Norway where winters
can be quite severe. Maybe she will enjoy skating on the Rideau Canal.
Rebecca is coming to Canada from Nigeria. I don’t have a lot
of information on her yet, except that her real name is Oghenetga. I will have
to get some help on that pronunciation. Of course with all of the turmoil being
caused by the Islamic militant group Boko Haram in her home country, we are
wondering what her life has been like. Our town councilor Frank Onasanya also
hails from Nigeria and he says he can tell by Rebecca’s family name “Idimi”
that she likely comes from the West of the country. Most of the attacks by Boko
Haram have reportedly been in the North-east, but you can never get the full
story from a news report. We look forward to learning more about Rebecca and
her life in Nigeria when she arrives this week.
Part of the challenge when you are hosting international
students is getting them out of the house and into some truly Canadian
experiences. Particularly during the long, cold winter months, students are apt
to stay in their rooms streaming video and chatting with friends and family
back home. We want them to get out and make new friends and do the things that
local kids do while they are here.
I remember some of the international students that came to
North Grenville in the 1980s. It seems like they were here for longer than just
the school year; they made such an impression. Vivi from Sweden was this tall,
vivacious blonde who laughingly refused to adopt the North American custom of
wearing a sports bra while playing volleyball. Spectator attendance rose
significantly when Vivi was on the court. She had such a positive, effervescent
spirit and a beaming smile.
There was a little French girl named Claude from Belgium who
rocked the small town of Kemptville with her fashion sense. She was quiet and
perhaps a bit homesick as I think her English wasn’t very advanced and it left
her feeling a bit left out. She made a small circle of good friends during her
stay, however, and will be remembered for her smooth moves on the dance floor
(along with her awesome collection of boots and mini-skirts).
Carlos from Mexico came to stay one year and very quickly
became another member of the Bryson family. Tall, dark and handsome, he was
athletic, smart and very popular with all of us.
My memories of the international students from my youth are
what make me want to host students today. Of course whether you are hosting
students from another country or dealing with your own teenagers, it can be a
challenge to get them away from the screens and into real life. But that is,
after all, what they came here for. To experience another culture, in all of
its flavours and colours.
I am still in touch with some of our past international
guests on social media. It is my hope that we will remain connected in the
future, so I can see where they go in life. And who knows? Maybe someday the
Farmer and I will visit some of them in their natural habitat.
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email: dianafisher1@gmail.com
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