Student Exchanges
Introduction...................................................................................................................................................................2 Rationale.......................................................................................................................................................................2 How Do Students Qualify and Apply...........................................................................................................................3 Student Profile Sheet ....................................................................................................................................................4
Section A..................................................................................................................................................................5 Section B ..................................................................................................................................................................6
Rules for Exchanges ...................................................................................................................................................10 Information for Outgoing Exchange Students............................................................................................................16 Academic Issues .........................................................................................................................................................17 Exchange Student Work Organizer ............................................................................................................................18 Round Square School Directory .................................................................................................................................19 Previous STS Exchanges with Round Square Schools...............................................................................................22
Introduction
There is no better way to build an international understanding than to immerse oneself in the culture of another country. This package is designed to provide you and your parents with as many details as possible about the exchange program at STS so that you can decide whether or not you are interested in applying. This information will also be very important to the student and family of those students selected for the Exchange Program.
Rationale
Creating internationally minded students is essential in today’s world. Programs such as Model UN and IB help to foster this understanding and fit very well with STS’s mission statement. Student exchanges also fill this role
nicely, enabling students to study history, language and culture in another country. Students often feel empowered from their experiences and take a leadership role in the school upon their return. Students returning back to STS share their experiences in a variety of ways with the STS community.
As internationalization increasingly becomes the focus of many academic and business opportunities, it is appropriate to offer secondary students a chance to develop their independence and self-esteem. Students who undertake a cultural exchange develop such skills as decision-making, adaptability and an increased awareness of another culture. As well, such an experience fosters a global perspective. All aspects of the International Exchange Program enhance leadership skills and experience has shown that the students reflect on their time on exchange as a highlight of their STS career.
Exchange applications must be handed in to Ms. Caines by Friday, March 22, 2019.
The length of the exchange is generally 6-8 weeks. We run exchanges with both boarding and non-boarding Round Square schools.
You must read through all of the following information and make sure the Exchange Program is for you and for your parents. If it is, follow the steps outlined in the following pages to apply for the Program.
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How Do Students Qualify and Apply
Student exchanges occur during the Grade 10 year. A student must be maintaining a minimum Honours average
standing in all academic subjects in Grade 9 to apply for the program. If a student’s overall average falls below an
MYP level 5-6 at any time before the exchange, this may endanger participation in the program. In addition to academic standing, we look for positive, independent, flexible and self-assured students will contribute to and participate in all aspects of the exchange program. Students should have demonstrated sound organizational skills so that STS will be confident that they can manage the increased academic demands of being on exchange.
It is also important that only students who will be positive ambassadors for STS and Canada are chosen to participate in an exchange. We will be looking for students who have made positive contributions to a wide variety of activities at STS.
In order to apply, students must hand in to Ms. Caines, no later than March 22, 2019 all of the following:
A one-page letter (Times New Roman, font size 11) addressing the following points:
..
why the student is interested in the Exchange Program what qualities the student possesses that make them a good candidate for the Exchange Program
Student Profile Sheet (Pages 4 – 8) Rules for Exchange form; signed (Page 10) Host Parent Form (Pages 11 – 14)
After March 22, 2019, Ms. Caines will interview all of the candidates.
The selection process is not a science. The following will be taken into account in the selection of students.
......
overall academic standing in core subjects current participation in school and out of school activities length of time at STS strength of character and ability to be an ambassador of STS leadership abilities content of student profile sheet and host parent form
We will be in contact with each of the applicant’s advisors and may talk to their individual teachers.
Successful applicants will be notified of their acceptance in the program in April. At this time, successful students will be asked to submit a list of their top three choices of the selected Round Square schools to exchange with. Every attempt will be made to secure an exchange at one of these schools for the student but please be aware that this may not be possible. If we are not successful in securing an exchange at one of the selected schools, we will begin to look for alternatives.
Please note that finding appropriate schools sometimes takes time and may not be finalized for several months. Please be patient. (Exchanges are still being finalized for this current year.)
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Student Profile Sheet
Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School
RR 2
Okotoks, AB T1S 1A2 Canada
Phone: 403–938–4431 Fax: 403-938-8343
If you are selected to participate in the Exchange Program, this application will be forwarded to your exchange partner to provide information about you.
Recent Photo
_________________________________________
Name of student
Please ensure that you complete the following pages with a pen and that your writing/printing is very legible as these forms need to be faxed to prospective schools.
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Section A
(Application should be printed with black pen for ease of photocopy and fax.) Name: __________________________________________ Country of Birth: _________________________________ Nationality: _____________________________________ Home Address:
Date of Birth: ________________________ City of Birth: ________________________ Current Grade: ___________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________
- Phone: (
- ) ______________________________ Fax: (
- ) ____________________________
Email Address: ___________________________________ Languages spoken at home: _______________________________________________ Religion: (optional) Do you practice a religion whose observances or diets need to be considered? Please explain:
________________________________________________________________________________________ Father’s name:___________________________________
Occupation:________________________________________________________________
Phone: (Work) (
- )_______________________ Fax: (
- ) ____________________
Home Address: (if different to student)
______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
Phone: (Home) (
)______________________________________
- Email Address:__________________________________ Cell Number: (
- )_____________________
Mother’s Name: ___________________________________
Occupation: ______________________________________________________________________ Phone: (Work) ( ) _______________________ Fax: ( ) ________________________
Home Address: (if different to student)
__________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
Phone: (Home) (
)__________________________________
- Email Address:________________________________ Cell Number: (
- ) _______________________
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Section B
School Subjects and results
(As an alternative, you may choose to attach copies of your two most recent academic report cards.)
School subjects
Studied in the last 2 years
Number of years studied
Results
Year___________
Results
Latest__________
Proficiency of language:
None
French
- Basic
- Fluent
Spanish German Other Other
Relevant academic achievements:
_________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________
Community Service activities and interests:
___________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________
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Co-curricular involvement at school:
____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Travel Abroad: (place, length of travel or stay, year) ________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________
Friends:
Are there places in your community/neighborhood, other than school, where you can easily meet other people your
- own age?
- Yes
- No
If yes, please explain where and how: ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________
Although the exchange student must be given priority for the duration of the exchange, the partners do not have to be together constantly. The exchange student is to be considered a member of the family, with the freedom to choose his/her own friends. This is a key to a successful exchange.
Health:
Do you follow a special diet? If yes, please specify:
- Yes
- No
____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________
- Do you have any chronic health problem?
- Yes
- No
If yes, please specify and explain any limitations they imply: ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________
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- Do you have allergies? Yes
- No
Please describe any conditions which you cannot tolerate (food, animals, etc): ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________
Animals:
Do you like animals? Would you accept a twinning in a family where there are animals? Yes No Do you have animals in your house? Yes No If yes, describe what type and how many:
- Yes
- No
____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________
Recreation Activities:
Which of the three categories below best represents you: What activities do you participate in regularly?
- Artistic
- Intellectual
- Athletic
At school? _________________________________________________ hrs/week: __________ At home? __________________________________________________ hrs/week: __________ Elsewhere? ________________________________________________ hrs/week: ___________
What type of music do you like? Indicate your preference from 1 – 8
- ___ Classical ____ Rap
- ____ Top 40 ____Country
- ____Rock
- ____ Heavy Metal
- _____Jazz
- _____Other: __________________
What type of social and cultural activities do you like? Indicate your preference from 1 – 8: ____ Movies ____ Dance ____ Shopping ____ Music Other:____________________
____ Computers ____ Sports
____Video Games
____ Television ___
What types of hobbies do you enjoy? Please list: _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ Are there any dates that you cannot go on an exchange?
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Section C
Your reasons for applying for an exchange: (use a separate sheet if you do not have enough space below) ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________
Student’s signature: __________________________________________
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Rules for Exchanges
Below are a few things that you need to consider carefully and understand before you submit your application.
While on exchange you are acting as an ambassador of your country and more specifically for Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School. This is a position not to be taken lightly, as your time with the host school obviously leaves a deep and lasting impression and one that will affect future exchange prospects with that institution. To help you with this, read and understand the following points and why they are in place.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. The student must abide by the regulations of both the host school and STS. B. You must act positively as a member of the school and boarding house or host family and fulfill responsibilities and perform duties appropriate to your age.
C. While visiting the host country, you must abide by its laws. D. At your host school, you may be permitted to travel only when you are accompanied by a staff member, host parents or when participating in an organized trip. At any other time it is with the express permission of the Host Houseparent/Head teacher of Host School.
E. You will keep a journal while on exchange and be prepared to give a written report of your exchange for publication in your host school’s magazine/journal, as well as the StrathconaTweedsmuir School Parent Express. You may also be asked to make a presentation to a school assembly.
Engaging in any of the following acts during the period of the exchange jeopardizes the continuation of the exchange and may cause the host school to return you to STS.
These acts include the following:
1) driving a motorcycle or motor vehicle without express permission 2) absenteeism from school without proper reasons 3) possession or use of a narcotic drug 4) disobeying school rules regarding alcoholic beverages and smoking 5) disobeying other published rules and regulations of the host school
I agree that I understand the information above. Student’s Signature_____________________________________________________________
Date:_________________________ Parent’s Signature______________________________________________________________ Date:_________________________
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Host Parents
To enable us to successfully place students with appropriate families, and to make sure the host family has appropriate standards, the following must be submitted:
Airport Pick-up and Departure
Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School requires that the host parent(s) meet the visiting exchange student at the airport and take him/her back on departure.
1. Please advise that you would be able to provide airport pick up and departure transportation.
If not, what other arrangements would be put in place?
……………………………………………………………………………………….............. ……………………………………………………………………………………… ............
Accommodation
2. Will the visiting exchange student have his own bedroom or will s/he share a bedroom/bathroom?
………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………….......................
3. Will the visiting student be staying in the same home for the duration of the exchange?
If not, please explain.
………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………….......................
Telephone and Internet Access
It is reasonable for the host family to cover the cost of short calls on arrival and prior to departure but not daily chats home.
4. What facilities do you have for telephone and internet access for the visiting student?
………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………................................................
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