The Drumheller Valley Secondary School were thrilled to show what they could offer for international students this past Tuesday. A delegation from Thailand spent some time learning about DVSS and its international program.
The Thai delegation arrived in Canada on Sunday, May 6, and spent two days looking at schools in the Golden Hills School District to get a sense of what the area has to offer Thai students wishing to study abroad.
“They’re looking for partnerships so they can feel comfortable in terms of making recommendations for Thai students to come here and know they’re going to get a good education and be well taken care of,” said DVSS principal, Curtis Lapierre.
On Tuesday morning, the delegation arrived at DVSS. They were given a tour of the school and dormitory, lunch courtesy of the school cafeteria, and had a chance to meet Lapierre and assistant principal, Brad Teske.
Afterwards, the Thai agents went to the Royal Tyrrell Museum, had dinner in Drumheller, and then to Calgary to catch a plane to Vancouver.
The international program, Lapierre describes, is important for the overall success of the school.
“It gives our students the opportunity to touch base with the rest of the world and make friends with students from around the world,” said Lapierre. “The international program plays an important role in terms of the program options for our local students. It keeps programs alive and viable at DVSS.”
This year, 37 international students enrolled at DVSS. That many students translates to roughly two full time teaching positions. On top of that, Drumheller students learn the language and culture of a large variety of countries.
The visit gives an opportunity for DVSS to attract more Thai international students.
“We’ve had students from Thailand here in the past and they’ve done very well here,” said Lapierre. “This large group is an excellent sign. I know we can get them to fall in love with our school.”
