Schools

How Do You Say Hello In German, Chinese, French and Dutch?

These three exchange students at Ledyard High School can tell you how!

 

Once again Ledyard High School has the opportunity to host three Program of Academic (PAX) exchange students. This is the fifth year that the high school has participated in the this educational exchange, according to Program Coordinator Debbie Evans. 

Evans said PAX offers a local family the chance to share their daily life with an international exchange student for a semester or school year and the experience is rewarding for both the host family, the exchange student and the students of Ledyard High School.

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"Hosting is a terrific way to learn more about another country and culture," she said. "Ledyard High School is commited to providing quality educational exhanges for students and families." 

Evans introduced the three exchange students who are here now:
 
Mathilde Junger is from Belgium, is a senior, and has been selected to become the pianist for the Wind Ensemble. Mathilde will be living with Marquerite France and her family in Gales Ferry.
 
Yaofang (Victor) Zhang is from China, is in the 11th grade, and has joined the Cross Country team and the Math team. Yaofang is living with the Walsh/McGrattan family in Ledyard.
 
Pauline Schreich is from Germany, is in 10th grade, and is waiting for the Basketball season to start. She is living with Samantha Pennenga and her family in Ledyard.
 
Evans said host families come in all shapes and sizes and hosting an exchange student is very rewarding. All you need to do is provide a student with a bed, a quiet place to study (separate bedroom not required), meals and a warm, supportive enviroment. 

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"Host families should be ready to share their lives with the student as if this child were their own son or daughter," Evans said. 

PAX students speak English, they have full medical insurance and their own spending money.

If you would like to learn more about hosting, please contact the local Community Coodinator Debbie Evans at Devans@ledyard.net for more information. You may also go to the PAX website: www.pax.org.


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