Welcoming International Students into our OCSB community for the 2023-2024 school year
The Ottawa Catholic School Board is honoured to welcome students from over 51 countries this academic year. Their unique perspectives and contributions significantly enhance the learning experience inside and outside the classroom.
International Students Warmly Welcomed to Ottawa
The leaders, principals, guidance counsellors, teachers, students, and community members of OCSB warmly welcome international students. The OCSB International Student Program is committed to promoting the well-being of students, helping them flourish and feel a strong sense of belonging in their school community. One way to support international students is through an orientation day. In September, new international students participated in team-building games, learned about Ottawa and gained valuable information about their time in Canada. As part of the orientation, students watched a presentation by Emily Chen, the OCSB International Student Ambassador. Emily’s role is to help new students adjust to their community. “It’s an honour for me to serve as an ambassador. I’ve made friends from around the world here, and now I can share what I’ve learned with new international students.” Learn more about our welcoming school environments for international students.
Building Community through Activities
As international students settled into their school year, they had the opportunity to come together for a night of thrills and chills at FrightFest by Saunders Farm. Students also participated in the annual OCSB International Student Halloween Costume Contest; being part of Halloween festivities was a new and positive experience for many of our international students.
A Rewarding Experience for Host Families
nternational students are welcomed into our community in various ways, one of which is through host families. Christian and his family have hosted international students from different countries for the past eight years, providing them with a unique and rewarding experience. Christian said, “It’s been a blessing and a great experience for my family. My children have learned so much from hosting these students.”
Are you interested in hosting? Learn more about our homestay program.
The Ottawa Catholic School Board continues to focus on providing a wonderful cultural exchange for international and Canadian students by learning about each other’s culture and traditions while creating opportunities for life-long friendships and memories.
