Drumheller Valley Secondary School (DVSS) students were in for a treat on Friday as the school celebrated International Education Week.
DVSS is committed to international education, exemplified through its international students, and aims to teach local students about the various cultures of those who travel immense distances to Drumheller for their education.
“We take one day of the week and have an assembly and guest speakers to recognize our international students,” said DVSS principal Curtis LaPierre.
Afterward, students got to experience a small taste of the various cultures inhabiting the school.
“We go out into the foyer and have a huge sample of food from different cultures, then some students writing other kids’ names in different languages like Mandarin, Cantonese, or Korean, then some of our Korean students will be doing manicures and such,” said LaPierre.
Over the years, the international student population has become ever more integrated into the fabric of the school.
“In the first couple years of the international program there was a little tension, because of the different cultures. Since then, the acceptance of the international students and their cultures has really become a part of our school culture,” said LaPierre.
“It’s not what it used to be. Last year during the assembly, I brought up all the international students and they lined up from one end of the gym to the other. There were gasps from the local students, because they didn’t realize just how many international students there were.”
The local students have also made huge efforts to get to know and welcome Drumheller’s international students.
“There is a significant outreach that takes place, for example our FOR (Friends of Rachel) Club came over last Sunday to cook breakfast for our international students and the week before they held a dance,” said LaPierre.
For now, the school is gearing up to celebrate.
“It’s a fantastic day. The students get a chance to go out and sample all these different cuisines,”
said LaPierre. “Teenagers love food. They really embrace the day.”
One of the international students writes out a Drumheller student’s name during last year’s International Education celebration at Drumheller Valley Secondary School. DVSS is getting ready to celebrate again this past Friday.
