G.P. Vanier Secondary School with support from the Comox Valley International Student Program (a division of School District 71) will welcome 33 high school students and three teachers from Italy.
The group — from Instituto Lorenzo Cobianchi, a high school in Verbenia — will visit March 3 to 17.
This international exchange program will return 20 G.P. Vanier students and two to Verbenia in October 2014 to complete the multiple continent education opportunity.
“The Vanier school community is thrilled and excited to have an exchange opportunity with Instituto Lorenzo Cobianchi from Verbenia, Italy. The exchange of ideas, educational items and culture will have a profound positive impact on our school community and the Comox Valley community,” said G.P. Vanier vice-principal Brian McAskill.
Most of the G.P. Vanier students registered for the exchange program will open their homes to the Italian students and teachers adding to the Canadian cultural experience in the Comox Valley.
The group will experience Mount Washington Alpine Resort, a trip to Tofino, and a warm school-wide G.P. Vanier welcome at 9 a.m. on March 4 in the G.P. Vanier front lobby.
Today’s world is a small global community that can mutually benefit when ideas and thoughts are shared and discussed. The exchange of cultures aids in developing well rounded global citizens who will have an increased tendency to explore the world through travel once they graduate from high school.
Exchanges are an exciting opportunity to showcase our vibrant education system here in the Comox Valley to other systems throughout the world.
“Expanding Canadian student exchange opportunities remains one of four main goals of the Comox Valley International Student Program. The Instituto Lorenzo Cobianchi and G.P. Vanier exchange is an example of our programs strong multiculturalism and diversity coming to fruition,” stated Steve Knight, district principal of SD71’s International Student Program.
“It is an exciting time for the students from both high schools.”
For more information on the Comox Valley International Student Program, including information on becoming a host family, visit www.studyinbritishcolumbia.com or e-mail isponline@sd71.bc.ca.
— Comox Valley International Student Program