Behind the Foreign Exchange Program

Anna Kidd
Assistant Editor 
  When cultures collide at Bonneville High School (BHS), the hallways echo with stories from every corner of the globe. Casey Faulkner is the mastermind of the foreign exchange program. The BHS foreign exchange program provides students with the opportunity to explore other schools and cultures. Currently, District 93 is the only district in Idaho Falls with a foreign exchange program. The requirements  for any student using the program are that they must have adequate grades, good standing, and enough funds to pay for the trip. 
  New environments can be strange, and foreign students are working towards graduation in a new country. Due to varying grade equivalency, Faulkner helps foreign students complete the requirements for their graduation. Another major factor of living in a foreign country is where students will reside. The host family is chosen by the student's foreign exchange agency, which helps arrange and procure travel essentials. Depending on the foreign exchange agency, the host family may be compensated for housing the student, providing them food, and covering any other necessary expenses. 
  Although the students and schools choose what country and school students will learn their education from. The people who oversee the program like Faulkner, want to work with students to help with being in a new school. Faulkner’s job allows him to help foreign students make sure their academic and social needs are met.Faulkner holds BHS with high standing and wants “good kids here to add to our culture of already great kids!” The main reason for this program is to allow students to learn new and interesting cultures. As they travel throughout their school life and learn a different culture than one’s normal. Due to curiosity, they may seek to understand the working conditions in their foreign country. However: it is not highly heard of foreign students obtaining jobs.
  Thanks to Faulkner and administrations of BHS, the exchange program allows students to seek other opportunities in other countries. One student at a time learning a new culture through the BHS exchange program.

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