Despite popular belief, Canada isn't actually cold all the time! In the summer months, international students have wonderful activities to do in the warmer weather. We're so happy to welcome our last international students this year, from France, who came in the spring and also get to soak up the nice weather!

Students were also able to attend (and participate in) an immersive magic show, held at the Rec Room. Watching together and playing arcade games was a great way for them to bond and share their experience with each other. 

You can't say you've had a true "Canadian" experience unless you've braved our chilly weather! Despite the deep freeze that's we've been in the last few weeks, our international students and host families are still finding ways to make it fun!

Between skiing, toboganning, travelling, and other winter activities, our students are making the best of their experience, even in the frigid temperatures. They are becoming true Canadians!

One of the unique aspects of our program is the ability to balance an English-language immersion experience with group bonding and friendship. Our international students normally attend different schools, so we brought them together as a group to visit some fantastic Edmonton cultural landmarks.

They began their day at the Royal Alberta Museum, learning about Alberta's fascinating history. Next, they went to the Ice District, where they were able to enjoy some winter fun on the ice rink. Finally, they stopped at Rogers Place, a world-class arena and host to our NHL team, the Edmonton Oilers.

We hope the boys had a great time and want to thank our school Principals, Mr. Clarke and Mr. Flanagan for organizing such a fun and enriching day!

We are so excited to welcome in our most recent group of international students from Japan! These 5 students are joining us from the Kaijo Boys School in Tokyo and will be staying with us for 10 weeks in our communities of Leduc, Beaumont, and Thorsby. 

After a very long flight, it was great to see the smiles on everyone's faces as they begin their new adventures in Canada. We look forward to learning more about the many exciting activities they will do as they live and go to school in Alberta.

One of the best parts of hosting an international student is the opportunity to learn more about, and participate in, different cultural traditions and celebrations. December 7th is the Day of the Little Candles in Colombia, which marks the unofficial start of the Christmas season. Lighting candles or lanterns is a fun and festive way to celebrate this event. We're so grateful to our international students for sharing this holiday with us!

One of the best things about the BGSD International Program is the quality of host families. Each family goes above and beyond to share all of the wonderful qualities that Alberta has to offer. We love seeing all of the fun and exciting adventures that our students embark on with their host families. Each student who participates in the program gets a unique experience with unforgettable memories. From visiting the World's Largest Dinosaur in Drumheller, to the picturesque view of the Banff Springs Hotel, our families do an incredible job of showing off the best of Alberta.

Black Gold School Division is excited to welcome our 6 international students from Colombia who are attending schools in Leduc, Beaumont and New Sarepta for 4 weeks. 

“Our International Student Program is in its third year, matching students from around the world with local host families who become their “home away from home,” says Yolanda Chang, the program’s Homestay Coordinator. “It is such a unique opportunity for our host families to build a lifelong friendship with someone from another country.”

The international students and host families have been connecting online for several weeks, but getting to see each other in person for the first time is so exciting. Despite the exhaustion from an over 16-hour travel day, the students are all smiles and eager to start their Canadian adventure!