Columneetza counsellor Sharon Smith is the lakecity representative for the privately run exchange organization Shecana International.
“Students can apply to go to another country for a semester or a full year of school,” Smith says.
“Students are interviewed and if accepted then Shecana makes arrangements for the student to go to a country of their choice.”
She says Shecana prefers to send students to smaller communities such as Williams Lake because of the ease in transition and the friendliness of a small community.
“We have had quite a few students that Shecana has set up to come to our community over the past few years,” Smith says. “Many great families have opened their doors and their hearts to these young people and the students and their families have had amazing experiences.”
She says students in Canada can also apply to go away for a year or half a year of high school in another country.
If students from the high schools are interested in going to another country for school they can contact me,” Smith says.
This year there are seven Shecana Exchange students attending school in Williams Lake. Five are attending Columneetza and two are attending Williams Lake secondary.
She says Shecana also has a “GAP” program where students go to work in another country after they graduate.
“This is a great way to see the world and learn about different cultures,” Smith says. “Shecana interviews the applicants and helps to place them in jobs that are suited to them.”
Columneetza also has a Rotary Exchange student from Sweden this year.
Smith says lakecity students interested in the Rotary Exchange program fill out an application in the fall for the following year.
“The students are interviewed and one is selected each year to go to another country and we in turn get one student from another country,” Smith says.
Families interested in hosting an exchange student for three to 10 months can contact Smith at Columneetza and she will forward their names to the appropriate organization.
“We have had some families host numerous times,” Smith says.
“It is a great experience. Families come in all types as we have single parents, single people with no children, and families with children of various ages. If you think you would like to try this out you can host for just three months and then the student can go to another family.”
She extends her thanks and appreciation to all the wonderful families that are currently hosting students and for all those who have hosted students in the past.
“You have made the world a smaller place and enriched the lives of the students who have come to Williams Lake as well as your own life,” Smith says.