International Students Enhance School Culture, Boost Enrollment

By Caroline K. Reff

It’s hard to believe that Jingkai Zhou is just 13 years old. Thousands of miles away from his home in Shanzi Province, China, this 7th grader, who likes to be called Barnett, has an unusual maturity as he navigates a new culture and educational experience at Bishop Ludden Juinor/Senior High in Syracuse.

Barnett applied to 10 American schools last summer. He decided to attend Bishop Ludden when he saw it was well regarded academically and because he was eager to experience New York State. He admits he pictured more of a New York City atmosphere before he arrived, but he has quickly come to appreciate the suburban lifestyle of his host family George and Brenda Marshall, who live in nearby Fairmount.

Barnett is one of the youngest of several dozen students who attend the four Catholic junior/senior high schools in the Syracuse Catholic Diocese. The students come from various countries, including China, Vietnam, So. Korea, Egypt and Ghana, and are found through educational placement agencies. The diocesan high schools have been eager to draw students from around the world in an effort to give their own students exposure to other cultures and boost enrollment. The international students are eager for the opportunity, as well, as they are exposed to a new culture and believe their educational experience in the U.S. will enhance their chances of admission to some of the most competitive American universities.

While Barnett admitted his parents and sister were “sad” to see him go so far away, he knows they are very proud of his intention to receive an American education. Already he has his eye on Harvard, Stanford and Berkley, where he hopes to study computer science or engineering.

“I plan to return to China after college,” said Barnett, who explained that an American education is considered “elite” in China and almost guarantees a good job and a bright future.

He is well on his way. The 7th grader current­ly takes 9th grade algebra, his favorite subject, although he acknowledges that English class continues to be his biggest challenge. Religion class was something completely new to him, as his family does not practice any faith. Still he looks at it as a kind of social experiment.

“I don’t know anything about the Bible, but one of the reasons I chose this school was because religion is such a part of the American culture, and I want to learn more about that,” he said.

One of the biggest adjustments for Barnett has been having free time in his schedule. In China, he went to school for eight hours a day, did homework for another three hours, and then, in preparation for coming to the U.S., studied English for another five hours. “As a 6th grader, I slept an average of five hours a day,” he said.

Barnett has filled that extra time in the U.S. with friends and activities. He said he know almost everyone in Bishop Ludden’s 7th and 8th grades and is “pretty thankful they accept me.” He has immersed himself in robotics and chess clubs and was even elected class treasurer this year. His greatest love, however, is basketball. “We watch a lot of NBA in China,” said Barnett, whose favorite team is the Golden State Warriors. I love basketball because of the teamwork. Does he play basketball, too? Unfortunately, it doesn’t love me back!” he said with a laugh.

Bishop Ludden Principal Brenda Reichert keeps track of Barnett and all of the international students to make sure they are doing well and adjusting to the school environment. She enjoys having the international students as a part of the student body and hopes to bring in students from other countries in the future.

“Barnett’s presence here, along with our other international students, is great for the Ludden culture,” said Reichert. “He is the embodiment of who we are.”

TO GRADUATION AND BEYOND

Unlike Barnett, Fangyi Yang, who goes by Linda, has been in the U.S. for three years attending Notre Dame Junior/Senior High School in Utica. She is one of a number of students who attends the school and has become immersed in the daily life of an American teenager.

“I have always wanted to explore the world ever since I was little,” said Linda, who grew up in Beijing, China. “I started learning English at the age of 5. Watching English movies was a good way to improve my listening, and this also gave me a strong will to actually go to the countries where they were filmed. Coming to the United States was a difficult decision for me, since I had to leave my family, friends and the city where I grew up. However, I have had such a strong will to explore, and this has exceeded the other emotions. I am sure this decision was much more difficult for my mom and dad than for me.”

For the past two years, Linda has lived with the McCoy family, Ken, who is the CFO of Notre Dame Schools, his wife, Tammy, and their two daughters, age 12 and 14.

“Linda is just like a daughter and sister in our family,” said McCoy of the experience. “She is a quiet, sweet kid, and we treat her the same as we treat our own. She has fit right in with our family, and it’s a good experience for my children to see that she is still a kid just like they are even though she comes from another culture.”

“She’s my daughter from Asia, and this is her American home,” McCoy added, noting that his family has helped her through times when she was homesick and missed her family back in China. “Still, it’s been a positive experience with no hiccups at all.”

Linda enjoys her classes at Notre Dame and is not bothered by the faith-based curriculum. “My family’s belief is Buddhist, so it is not difficult for me to attend a faith-based school. By the knowledge I gain in religion class, I find every religion has some similarities to each other. They are all good, and I respect all religions,” she said.

She will graduate in June from Notre Dame and is planning to attend an art college and major in graphic design, following in the footsteps of her father, who is a designer in China. The McCoy family has assured her she will always have a home-away-from-home during college breaks.

As Linda’s time at Notre Dame draws to a close, she is grateful for the experience. She said, “My time at Notre Dame has been a great experience in my life. It has taught me not only in academics but also to become a better person. I am grateful for being a part of Notre Dame!”

Caroline K. Reff is a freelance writer in Syracuse, New York, and a special projects consultant for the Catholic Schools Office.

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