Remarks

Hailey Vo - Vietnam

My English improved significantly in a very short time. In class, the teachers are always impartial. International students are treated just like Canadian students. We are not ignored nor considered special. If we cannot keep up with the class, we can go to tutorials or ESL class for special help.

Canadian students are also very much aware of the international students' well-being. They never say anything that hurts our feelings and always try to make us feel comfortable. I still remember on my sixteenth birthday, some of my Canadian friends organized a birthday party for me. Before that, I even received a birthday present from a girl that I had never met before. She told me that I was a friend of her best friend, so I was her friend too. I almost cried with happiness.

One of my ESL teachers knew how much I missed Vietnamese food, so she drove me all the way to Calgary to eat Vietnamese noodles. No word could express my gratefulness to her. I do not know if it is a beautiful small town like Drumheller that creates such nice people, or if it is the same everywhere in Canada. One thing I surely know is that my parents have made the right decision to send me to study here.

Eddie Rao - India

It is a very pleasant change to live in a small community with just over a few thousand people, as compared to living in a city that is close to bursting with over 23 million people. The community has shown exceptional acceptance when it comes to admitting people from foreign blood in their home. I applaud the efforts of the International Program of the Golden Hills School Division for their endeavours in converting this conservative society into a diverse cultural exchange ground.

The invaluable experience gained by international students will undoubtedly engrave itself in their minds. My experiences with the local people here have been nothing short of astounding. Being on student council has given me a new sense of responsibility. Participating in different awareness programs has given me new insight into life. Nowhere have I learned so much in one year, like I have learned here.

Although living alone, away from home can be really overwhelming, the friends that you make here and the experiences that you go through will live forever in your mind.

Yannick Saalberg - Germany

The ESL class is for many students a very important and helpful class. Mrs. Woodland, the ESL teacher in Three Hills High School did a good job in teaching the international students English and helping them understand the classes they take. She is also responsible for the good contact between the different nationalities and a great acceptance from the Canadian Students.

The teachers are very helpful... The unity in Canadian schools and especially in small towns is great. I like to see how everybody seems to be nice to everyone and most of the students are happy in school. The small kids can talk to the high school students and we all have a great time together while learning some important social skills.