With Germans, Finns, Chileans and Columbians flocking to its classrooms, things will be getting very international at Crowsnest Consolidated High School this year.

The local high school has already welcomed three exchange students from Germany who will be staying for the rest of the school year.

Next weekend four Columbian students will arrive for a year of study.

In three weeks another 15 Columbian Grade 7 and 8 students will arrive for a one-month stay.

Then, two Chilean students will be joining in November and December.
In April they’ll be welcoming 23 Finnish students for a 10-day stay.

To accommodate all these international travelers, a number of local families will be welcoming the students for homestays.

But why would an overseas teenager choose to have their high school experience in Crowsnest Pass?

“Part of it is the outdoors, they want to be in the mountains,” said CCHS principal Ian Baxter. “Part of it is that our school has done a number of projects in international education.”

In addition to welcoming international travelers, CCHS students will be doing a bit of traveling themselves.

Next October about 20 local students will be going to Finland to attend Kitee Upper Secondary School for a continuation of the Finland-Alberta International Partnership (FINAL).

CCHS is one of five Alberta high schools chosen by the Alberta Teachers Association to embark on this educational exchange.

Closer to home, throughout the school year a number of CCHS students will be participating in the Encounters with Canada program.

Keiran Douglas and Lyle Burke were selected to participate in the first program leaving on Sept. 3.

According to the Encounters website, the program, “is a unique opportunity for Canadian teens to meet other young people from across the country. Spend an adventure-filled week in your nation’s capital!”

For $500, CCHS students will have the chance to mix and mingle with youth from across the country and explore possibilities for exciting careers.

They’ll also visit important Canadian institutions, develop their leadership skills and enjoy a bilingual experience.