By Violet Li
St Margaret’s Berwick Grammar is calling on the community to host international exchange students in February 2024.
A China-Australia Exchange Program will run for a week, starting from 7 February 2024 with around 40 participants, led by the principal Dr Annette Rome and the associate principal Dr Steven Middleton.
International students’ coordinator Sabrina Li said it was challenging to arrange accommodation for such a large group of international students.
She has tried a hotel nearby but it was fully booked.
“The problem is we need more local schools to open for the exchange program because there are so many demands but very few suppliers,” she said.
“I was thinking if our community or some accommodation can sort of help with this regular program, it’ll be great.”
She said the school had been providing this cross-cultural exchange program since 2017 with a very small scale of 15 students in the beginning and gradually enlarged the intake when demands kept soaring.
The school once received up to 100 registered interests.
For the August intake in 2023, a group of 55 students and teachers were engaged with the program that included immersive academic studies, an entrepreneurship program run by First Pivot and City of Casey economic development and innovation officer Chris Hall, extra curriculum activities, and a tour around the zoo in Healesville Sanctuary.
Ms Li said the program turned out with good reaction among school students and international students.
As one of the top 40 under 40 Most Influential Asian Australians Working in Education recognised by Asialink, Ms Li worked with her team to strive for an immersive experience in the Australian culture.
“They [international students] paired up with local students and they did everything together,” she said.
“We want to focus on building a relationship. If the students have no one by their sides, they will not feel connected.
“When these international students come to Australia, we make sure they know somebody has been waiting for them already.”
She said the school students had always been very receptive and welcome to the international students.
“Our school has a very inclusive and diverse environment. Everybody is quite open here,” she said.
Associate principal Dr Steven Middleton said Sabrina’s leadership and commitment to forging stronger cultural and learning relationships on a global scale was truly inspiring and exciting.
“We are so fortunate to have someone of her vision and energy to be designing and implementing these valuable and worthwhile experiences,” he said.
To enquire more information on hosting international students, contact Sabrina Li at lis@smbg.vic.edu.au
