This spring, Heartland Community Schools was the recipient of a Global Education Excellence Award for their exemplary job of accommodating foreign exchange students through the Education First (EF) Program.
Heartland had two foreign exchange students attending school there this past year. Alessandra Canetta from Italy was hosted by Brent and Tara Swartzendruber, and Lisa Koslowski from Germany was hosted by Jay Dee and Wendy Janzen.
Heartland was nominated to receive the award by Hannele Plettner, Local International Exchange Coordinator. Plettner commented that she nominated Heartland out of 2,000 schools in the program because they have had a great past couple of years hosting foreign exchange students and shown interest in them. This is beneficial not only for the exchange students but also the other students at the school who gain global knowledge and awareness.
Plettner explained that when foreign exchange students come to the United States, they are often surprised at the enthusiasm of the teachers and the caring relationship they have with their students. This relationship in Europe is usually nonexistent. Tara Swartzendruber also remarked on the same thing saying, “School in the U.S. is quite different from school in Europe, where most of the students at Heartland have come from. Classes are not full days, and there are no clubs or team sports connected with the school. Students who want to play a sport must join a league in their town or a neighboring one. School is mostly about academics not a social life, or dances, or sports teams, or other activities. Coming to America gives these students a chance to experience “school spirit” and events like Winter Ball or Prom, the school musical, or play volleyball, etc.â€
It takes the combined efforts of the host family, the school, and also the students to give the exchange students a wonderful experience. Swartzendruber shared, “I want to give a shout out to our awesome high school students at Heartland. Over the past years, you have not only welcomed the various exchange students who come to spend a year at Heartland, but many of you have gone the extra mile to help them have an awesome year. You’ve included them in your get-togethers, on your sports teams and clubs, given them rides to and from events, gone to the movies, helped them with English, and in turn, I believe you have learned from them and gained their friendship as well. Most of them have gone home extremely sad to leave their new friends and “their school.” As a host parent to four of these students over the past seven years, I can’t thank you enough for including them in your lives. This coming school year, you will see five new faces from over the ocean–a wonderful opportunity to make some life-long friends. Keep being awesome Heartland!â€
Congratulations to the Heartland administrators, staff, and students on receiving this award!
If you are interested in learning more about hosting a foreign exchange student, you can do so by contacting Hannele Plettner at 402-773-4266 or visiting http://www.efexchangeyear.org/.
