Global Connections the newsletter of the Carleton Education Network

This semester Volume V Issue 1 Fall 2015 OCENET and OCENET and OCDSB selected by Ministry of Education to OCDSB schools are hosting international pilot unique cultural immersion program in China students...

 from 42 countries

 in 22 high school schools and 36 elementary schools,

 and throughout the year, over 150 visiting educators from 11countries

What’s Inside

Deep Learning Project 2 at Glashan PS

International Certificate Awards Ceremony Important role of 3 Homestay families for international students

First teacher 4 recipients of the new OCENET bursary tell OCDSB students, along with students from eight other countries, pose for a group photo along The Bund beside the Yangtze their stories River in Shanghai during the International Youth Leaders in China Program during the last two weeks in July

Life as an international 5 During the last two weeks in July a group of 20 OCDSB students from student various local high schools participated in an experience of a lifetime. The OCDSB and OCENET were selected by the Ministry of Education to Meet OCENET: 6 Eunyoung Shin champion an initiative to select Grade 10 students to learn about Chinese language and culture in Jiangsu Province near Shanghai. Busy days included SRB’s InterWeb Club Chinese language lessons followed by a wide variety of cultural activities, including Chinese calligraphy, Mongolian dance, Tai Chi, fencing, paper Tip Sheet #7: 7 Students learn about the cutting, creating Beijing Opera masks, fencing, participating in a traditional TEDx talks & evolution and art of Chinese Cross-cultural tea ceremony, making dumplings, planting Bonsai trees, among many other Communication characters from a world re- iconic cultural experiences. The students visited historical and famous nowned master calligrapher cultural sites such as The Humble Administrator’s Garden in Suzhou, the OCENET Bulletin 8 Board Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, and the Youth Olympic Museum in Nanjing. One unique aspect of the program was sharing the experience with not only The Divisions of Chinese students, but also other students from many other countries in- OCENET cluding Australia, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, South Korea, Spain and the USA. Prior to departure the OCDSB students participated in numer- ous activities to develop cultural awareness and understand the im- portance of intercultural competence when experiencing a new and very different culture. The students kept a daily journal to record their experi- OCDSB students enjoy learn- ing about bonsai horticulture ences and reactions to Chinese culture; overwhelmingly, the students felt by pruning and planting trees the trip was not only memorable, but also a transformative experience. Volume V Issue 1 page 2

Glashan PS deeply involved in international collaboration

“One of the key goals ‘real life’ problem solving.” of the Deep Learning project is to start Part of the program includes an emphasis on the sharing of connecting our students learning and knowledge. Last with other students in February, Glashan PS Skyped other parts of the with NPDL educators in Uru- world, but moving far guay. Grade 7 students devel- beyond the ‘pen pal’ oped a Heritage Fair. Students concept alone to in Grade 8 conducted a deep inquiring together learning research task related about ‘bigger’ to the data management unit in their Math class and several questions” students presented their find- ings to student teachers at the - Jim Tayler, University of Ottawa. Principal Future plans include expanding Glashan Public School the NDPL project at Glashan to involve more students and Three of the Glashan PS students who presented the results of their staff, as well as parents. Details research involving a survey and analysis about middle school students to on this exciting initiative can be an interested audience of student teachers at the University of Ottawa found under “Glashan’s Deep Learning Journey” at the school website: Glashan PS has long had a character education; critical www.glashanps.ocdsb.ca strong commitment to interna- thinking and problem solving; tional education initiatives, but creativity and imagination; com- the school is taking things to munication; and citizenship. another level with the inception Some of the main principles of of the New Pedagogies for the program include a strong Deep Learning (NPDL) project, partnership approach to educa- Mr. Jim Tayler introduces the which began last year at tion whereby the teacher and New Pedagogies for Deep Glashan PS and five other student work as a team to solve Learning initiative at a OCDSB schools. deep learning tasks based on student assembly probing questions. This approach To date, approximately 1,000 promotes experiential learning A main aspect of the NPDL schools from 10 different na- and is relevant to learners be- learning tasks is not merely tions are using the NPDL, an cause the questions are generat- reproducing existing knowledge, educational framework devel- ed together. In the words of but creating “new” knowledge oped by noted Canadian educa- Principal Jim Tayler: “The NPDL through asking profound ques- tor Michael Fullan, with the 6 approach makes learning irresist- tions explored within a collabo- C’s at its core: collaboration; ibly engaging because it involves rative learning environment

Graduating students receive OCDSB International Studies Certificates at June Awards Ceremony At the ICP Awards Cere- mony on June 18th in the auditorium at Sir Robert Borden H.S., thirty-three students from thirteen OCDSB schools were presented with the OCDSB International Studies Certificate. Several Robert Barter (center), Dept. hundred students are now Head of Canadian & World enrolled in this innovative Studies. with his students from international education A.Y. Jackson S.S. awarded the program from across our OCDSB International Certificate school district. Volume V Issue 1 page 3

Hosting international students enriches family life for everyone

What is the most inter- some more serious con- esting or enriching as- versations. As a pect about being a host homestay mom to teen- parent? age girls, I’ve had to have We benefit so much from conversations on interest- having our international chil- ing topics such as: boys, dren that we don’t think we tampons, self-esteem, could pick just one interest- bullying, narcissism and ing and enriching aspect. hygiene, to only name a Since we started hosting, few. our family increased signifi- cantly as we became parents The main indicator that of triplets in December of learning has taken place is 2011 (yes, we moved to a change in behaviour, right? bigger house!). Our own Well, we get to witness children certainly gain very our international children Homestay parents Andrée-Anne and Bruce with their own children and several international students who enjoy family life in their home much from having older sis- learning and growing eve- ters. At the young age of ry day. It doesn’t matter Andrée-Anne provided Global What was involved in the 3.5 years old, they already if they are with us for a Connections with answers to process of becoming a know how to locate the month or a year, the con- some questions about her experi- host parent to interna- birth countries of all their nection doesn’t end the ences as a Homestay parent tional students? international siblings on the day we drive them to the When we decided to host, map. Having young kids in airport. We have built What interested you in we researched what options the house allows our stu- lifelong relationships that becoming a Homestay were available. We made a dents to practice their Eng- keep on giving (we plan host parent? few calls, sent a few emails, lish without any inhibi- on being proud grand- To become a host family filled a few questionnaires, tions… they quickly become parents of all our interna- you need 3 things: room in met a few amazing people, familiar with Dr. Seuss! tional grand-babies!). your house, room in your got a Police Check, and not schedule, but most im- long after we welcomed our Bruce and I treat our stu- The most rewarding thing portantly, room in your first Chinese son, Peter. dents the way we would like you ask… we get to see heart. Bruce and I both have our own children to be them grow into amazing graduate degrees in Educa- How long have you been treated if they were in a successful young adults tion; we very much love kids a host parent? foreign country. We have and hope that we played a and value lifelong learning. We started hosting in 2010. lots of fun/silly times and little part in it. We thought hosting interna- tional students would allow How many international us to learn about other cul- students has your family tures while ensuring that hosted? these kids receive the best Peter (China), Minh Ahn Canadian experience possi- (Vietnam), David (Spain), ble. I was an international Maria Paula (Colombia), Ca- student myself for a year in mila (Colombia), Nura Valencia, Spain, back in 1992 (Germany), Zoe (China), (when there were no inter- Patricia (Spain), Coco net, Skype or emails!). I (China), Boya (China), Sofia loved every minute of it and (Colombia), Andreza made long-lasting friend- (Brazil), Laura (Colombia), ships. This experience al- Catalina (Chile), Sofia lowed me to understand (Colombia), Nagi (Japan), what our international chil- Jocelyn (Mexico), and Lydia dren are going through and (China)… and we welcomed OCENET international students Nura (Germany), Laura (Colombia), how to meet their needs a few international parents and Zoe (China) happily show off a Canadian flag signed by many of and expectations. too! their Canadian friends they made while studying in Canada Volume V Issue 1 page 4

New bursary program helps “internationalize” teaching

“I believe that this Several recipients of the new bursary to cover travel and culture of China. I was im- experience has provided OCENET Staff Bursary Pro- related costs to meet with mersed in everything from me with a better insight gram have provided educational support net- basic greetings in Mandarin, into the challenges faced “testimonials” about how the works that service students to tea pouring ceremonies, by my language students funds they received from the in remote areas with special to visiting with Chinese as well as by my OCDSB program have assisted them needs. I am thankful for the educators. As an adminis- colleagues and students with a wide variety of worthy bursary provided by trator in a high school with for whom English is not a international educational initia- OCENET as it has greatly over 100 International Stu- first language.” tives. increased my ability to effec- dents here in Ottawa, many tively investigate teaching in of whom come from China, - Carolle Coulombe, Diana Hall, Australia and to share my my understanding about Nepean High School Physics Teacher, Bell experiences with students the life and experiences of High School: and colleagues.” a student from another “Do Science Tanzania is my country living and studying personal project, now in its Lorna Lashley, abroad grew enormously. I fifth year. The objective is to Principal, Dunning- have learned more about support science teachers in Foubert: the values, cultural norms, their efforts to provide quali- “This year I became a school system, and day-to- ty hands-on activities for LEAP’ER.... Leaders in Educa- day life of China, and un- their students in Moshi, Tan- tion Across the Planet. derstand more about how zania. This program includes Through this program I was that background affects the workshops for teachers able to combine my profes- thinking, learning, and de- which provide opportunities sional passion and my pas- velopment of students in to practice with equipment sion for travel on a trip to my school.” while conducting lab activi- Sydney, Australia and spend ties, and supplying equip- time in their schools while Carolle Coulombe, ment for teachers to access being billeted with an Aus- Language Teacher and use in their classes. The tralian principal. This is a Nepean High School: bursary I received is being fabulous opportunity to en- "I am very grateful for the Nancy Dlouhy, Vice Principal at used to support the Tanzani- gage in learning from the opportunity I was granted Bell High School, tries out the an teachers’ workshop ex- educational systems 'Down through the OCENET In- traditional Chinese musical instrument, the erhu, while penses and to purchase con- Under.’ Thanks for the bur- ternational Educational participating in a special cultural sumables for science activi- sary to support this experi- Bursary to study Galician immersion program in China ties. All involved in the pro- ence.” language and culture at the ( see story on page 1) gram are extremely grateful University of Santiago de for this generous gift.” Nancy Dlouhy, Compostela in July. By put- Vice Principal, Bell High ting myself in the position David Ward, OCDSB School: of a second language learn- teacher on exchange in “Over a two-week period er in a foreign country, I Australia: this summer in Jiangsu Prov- believe that this experience “The OCENET teacher bur- ince as part of the Discover has provided me with a sary has allowed me to ex- Jiangsu 2015 International better insight into the chal- pand my pedagogical per- Youth Leaders to China lenges faced by my language spective while I am an ex- Cultural Immersion Pro- students as well as by my change science teacher in gram, I had the opportunity OCDSB colleagues and rural New South Wales, to study Mandarin, and to students for whom English Australia. I have used the learn about the history and is not a first language."

Application Forms, FAQ's, Application Deadlines, Contact Information, etc.

STAFF Bursaries: Information is available at the OCENET website under "Scholarships & Bursaries": www.ocenet.ca/en/page/show/main Volume V Issue 1 page 5

Life as an “international student” in high school

Each issue of Global Connections highlights the experiences of OCENET international students studying in OCDSB schools. This issue profiles international students from Germany, South Korea, and Vietnam.

Ricarda@ Sir Robert Borden High School

From the city of Hanover in Germany, Grade 11 student Ricarda wanted to experience an education away from home. While arriving “One of the best in Canada with excellent English language skills, she feels she has ways to avoid being greatly improved her spoken and written English as she now speaks with more confidence and has an expanded vocabulary. She enjoys homesick is to get her Homestay and did not find adapting to the Canadian lifestyle too fully involved in challenging. In fact, she has been teaching German to her Homestay family. Ricarda thinks the key to success as an international student school life and make is getting involved in school life, and she has certainly followed her lots of new friends.” own advice by joining school teams including rugby, tennis, cross- country running, cross-country skiing, and Ski Club. She even went winter camping in -35ºC with her Outdoor Education classmates. - Ricarda, international Ricarda also participates in OCENET trips and social events. In the student from Germany future, Ricarda intends to study medicine or engineering.

Sunny@ Glebe Collegiate Institute

“I like that I can Having attended Glebe Collegiate Institute for the past 1.5 years, Sunny really likes her school and the city of Ottawa. She chose to study in make many choices Canada because of its multicultural and diverse population and the op- in choosing my own portunity to learn about different languages and cultures. Upon first arriving in Ottawa, Sunny faced many challenges. She worried about educational path, making mistakes when speaking and writing in English, found it difficult unlike many of my to deal with Ottawa’s winter, and had some trouble adapting to being away from home in Homestay. While Sunny acknowledges that being friends in South an international student can be difficult at first, Sunny successfully over- Korea.” came those challenges and feels the benefits of her success have made her more independent and mature. She frequently uses Skype to com- municate with family and friends, and appreciates the free time she feels - Sunny, international she has compared to many of her peers in Korea who are constantly student from South stressed by pressures to study all of the time. After graduation, Sunny Korea plans to attend a Canadian university to pursue a Business degree.

Summer@ Sir Robert Borden High School

Summer is now in Grade 12, having been an international student in “In Canada, the OCDSB schools for the last 3 years. From Vietnam, Summer wanted to teachers give study in Ottawa because it is a capital city, and its public schools were highly recommended by other friends who had studied here. She really students lots of enjoys school in Canada and finds Ottawa to be a very peaceful and safe respect and treat you city. She also likes that Ottawa is bilingual which enabled her to contin- ue her study of French. When she arrived in Grade 10 she struggled in an adult way with with communicating in English, but by listening carefully to everyone she high expectations. met, she improved immensely and now is very confident with English language skills. Summer has played on a SRB sports team and is co- Students learn to president of two school clubs, the Interact and Multicultural Clubs. Dur- take responsibility.” ing her time as an international student, she has lived in two different homes and has enjoyed being a part of both Homestays. Summer will - Summer international be attending the University of Ottawa to study Biotechnology. student from Vietnam Volume V Issue 1 page 6

Meet OCENET: Eunyoung Shin

Each issue of Global Connections ing about their cultures. It is session for Korean students includes a feature interview with always a pleasure to work needing extra assistance in one of the OCENET team with the OCENET team and understanding the Ontario all of our school contacts. school system. We have 1. What are some of your continued to provide this main roles at OCENET? 3. What have been some of service and have received In my role as Admissions your accomplishments at very positive feedback. I Coordinator, I work with OCENET that your are also initiated visits to our foreign agents who place most proud of? elementary and secondary students in OCDSB schools When the students that I schools to gain firsthand and with school administra- have helped are enjoying knowledge of their pro- tors in both the elementary their placement and learning grams to better help our and secondary panels. To experience, I am happy and agents and students applying ensure that students coming proud that I was involved. I to OISP. to our schools are placed in also help organize and chap- the most appropriate erone OCENET extra cur- 5. What are some of your Eunyoung Shin, school, program and grade ricular trips and activities interests outside of work? International Admissions and level, I review their academ- which gives me a wonderful I studied fashion design in Enrolment Administrator, ic records, English language opportunity to get to know Korea and really enjoy the Ottawa International Student capabilities and goals. our students. creative process. I keep fit Program (OISP) by working out two to 2. What aspects of your job 4. What new projects are three times a week and do you enjoy the most? you working on at doing yoga. My husband and I enjoy meeting so many OCENET? I participate in many out- different people from Last year a colleague and I door activities with our around the world and learn- organized an information daughters.

SRB High School’s InterWeb Club celebrates cultural diversity

“For its very first year, mation sessions on study Xiaoxiao Zhao launched InterWeb Club has been abroad and exchange pro- the InterWeb Club in Sep- a huge success. From grams, “Language Cafés”, and tember 2014 and serves as learning about different cultures to starting new extracurricular activities the school club’s teacher friendships, InterWeb has such as origami, African advisor. brought students from dance, field trips and fund- SRB HS together.” raisers. The aim of the club is Future plans include organ- to help everyone in the SRB izing activities that encour- - Asma, school community be aware age international students Co-President of of cultural diversity and be- to be involved in school Sir Robert Borden High School come more interculturally life, and starting a Model InterWeb Club leaders Malika, InterWeb Club competent. United Nations event. Summer and Asma

Every Tuesday at lunch 20- The unique name of the club 30 students in Sir Robert comes from the idea that the Borden High School’s Inter- club connects everyone in a Web Club meet to organize “web,” just like the Internet. activities to bring together The club’s slogan: “InterWeb students from different — connecting everyone better backgrounds. Some events than the Internet.” Interweb Club students chat include guest speakers from Members of the SRB InterWeb with Superintendent of Curricu- embassies and the United Prompted by a request from Club meet weekly to organize lum Services, Pino Buffone, at events encouraging the school OCENET’s International Nations, seminars by inter- SRB students enrolled in the community to participate in glob- Education Info-Fair national students about their OCDSB International Certifi- home countries, Q&A infor- cate Program, SRB teacher al education initiatives Volume V Issue 1 page 7

OCENET Tip Sheet #7:

TEDx talks & Cross-cultural communication

TED is a nonprofit devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks (18 minutes or less). TED began in 1984 as a conference where Technology, Entertainment and Design converged, and today covers almost all topics — from science to business to global issues — in more than 100 languages. Meanwhile, independently run TEDx events help

share ideas in communities around the world (*excerpted from TED website).

Everything you always wanted to know about culture | Saba Safdar | TEDxGuelphU www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaOJ71czAGQ Published on Dec 30, 2012: SABA F. SAFDAR is an Iranian-born Canadian-educated Associate Professor in the Psychology Department at the University of Guelph in Ontario. She moved to Canada in the 1980s after the Islamic revolution in Iran. She completed her undergraduate honours de-

gree at McMaster University in Hamilton and her MA and PhD at York University in Toronto.

A cross culture and communication specialist: Isabelle Min at TEDxItaewon www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIvQh0G2vpI Published on Jun 18, 2012: She is a cross culture and communica- tion specialist, an associate professor at Sungkyun Kwan University, CEO of TCK. At TCK institute, she combines

her cross cultural upbringing with 25 year career that includes marketing, broadcasting, public relations, training, writing, simultaneous interpreting and coaching. She spent her formative years living in five continents and speaks five languages.

Cross cultural communication | Pellegrino Riccardi | TEDxBergen

www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMyofREc5Jk Published on Oct 21, 2014: This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Pellegrino, being a cross cultural expert, he is sharing with us his personal and professional experience about how very different cultures can successfully coexist next to each other. Is it difficult to live in Norway, being an expat? Do you know how to establish the mutual understanding between Italian and Norwegian?

International Education and the Promotion of Intercultural Understanding: Mary Hayden at TEDxBathUniversity www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cbn08FYElU Published on Mar 28, 2013: Dr Mary Hayden is Director of the Centre for the study of Education in an International Context (CEIC) and Head of the Department of Education at the University of Bath, where her teaching, publishing and research supervision focus particularly on

international schools and international education.

The World Citizenship Project: Carlo Strenger at TEDxJaffa www.youtube.com/watch?v=mArgTetQzd8 Published on Sep 28, 2012: In his TEDxJaffa talk, Carlo discusses his process of leaving a religious community as a child and discovering a broader "tribe" of world citizens. Stressing

open world views over closed world views, Carlo discusses the important work of the World Citizenship Project and the mission of the New Cosmopolitans.

*N.B. All overviews are taken from TEDx talk descriptions accompanying each video.

Volume V Issue 1 page 8

OCENET Bulletin Board

LYNCH -GETTY GLOBAL STUDENT AWARDS: Congratulations to the following students who received the Lynch-Getty Award at their Graduation Ceremony in June 2015: Azana Fatima Hy- der (Colonel By S.S.); Holly Helen Ruth Laurenzio (A.Y. Jackson S.S.); Malika Abdurahimova (Sir Robert Borden H.S.); and Mikaela Radmila Capeling (A.Y. Jackson S.S.). Four OCDSB high school students, two Canadian and two international students, receive an award of $1,000 each. Application information for the current academic year will be posted in early March 2016. Go to 440 Albert Street Room C315 www.ocenet.ca, click on “Scholarships & Bursaries” and then “Lynch-Getty Award.” Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1R 5B5 CHANGES ANNOUNCED FOR 3rd ANNUAL OCENET INTERNA-

Phone: 613-239-0277 TIONAL EDUCATION INFO-FAIR : Some new additions to the popular info- Fax: 613-239-0608 fair include a change of location to the Confederation Education Centre and mov- email: [email protected] ing the date to a weekday in order to facilitate more students attending from more schools. Mark your calendars for Thursday, May 26, 2016, from10am-

2pm. Admission is free. More details will be published in the Spring 2016 edition of Global Connections. Look for the new promotional posters in schools soon. Reg- istration information will be available starting in February at www.ocenet.ca

What’s going on at OCENET? Follow us @OCENETOttawa

Divisions of OCENET

INTERNATIONAL

STUDENTS Elementary School

High School University Preparation

GROUP PROJECTS English Immersion Teacher Training Summer Programs

ENGLISH LANGUAGE SCHOOL Academic English Leadership and Outdoor Education Programs Summer Study

Please direct any comments, questions, or suggestions to: [email protected]