August 13, 2009 - 2:47am
According to two graduating Nanaimo students, Malaspina High School (MHS) creates not just a love of learning in the classroom, but a cross cultural learning experience resulting in tight friendships.
Ryan Porteous and Odai Khalaileh are new roommates and new graduates of the high school located on VIU’s campus. Formerly known as Malaspina International High School, MHS is an independent school open to international and domestic students from Nanaimo and across the country.
Porteous grew up here in Nanaimo and Khalaileh was an international student from Jordan. At first glance, the two may seem like unlikely buddies, but both students see MHS’s small classrooms as the ideal setting for students to get to know each other and break down stereotypes about different cultures.
“You meet so many people from different parts of the world who look different than you, speak a different language, but underneath are the same as you,” said Porteous. “After a while the differences disappear and you get to know the individual.”
The principal, Keith Watson, said that one of MHS’s strengths is the intimate, multinational setting. “You’re not going to get lost here. There are 12 kids in the class. Students get the chance to develop real relationships with teachers and friends from all over the world.”
He said that MHS expects Canadian students to take a leadership role in their classes.
“This is an amazing place to build confidence,” he said. “Students are focused and when you feel good about yourself, you’re going to be successful.”
Porteous said there were lots of opportunities to play a leadership role. “Certainly for Canadians, we’re enrolled in the school to learn but also to guide because there are a lot of international students who might feel lost or alone in a strange country, speaking a strange language.”
According to Khalaileh, the Canadians in the class helped the international students understand Canadian culture. “I wouldn’t have known anything about hockey if it weren’t for Ryan,” he said, noting that MHS’s small town feel meant that he had the opportunity to get to know all kinds of students and really practice his English skills.
“Not many people like to leave their social groups, but our school is much more open. Everyone does their own thing, but together.”
Khalaileh said he also was able to take a leadership role in the school, especially around sports and representing MHS at university activities. “In the classroom I was answering questions that Canadian students have about the other side of the world and adding new ideas to the debates.”
“The learning here is meaningful,” said Watson, who adds that exposure to VIU’s campus environment is a unique feature of MHS. Students are able to use the university’s facilities, take courses and participate in campus recreational activities. “It’s amazing what opportunities education can bring you.”
With admission to VIU guaranteed upon successful completion of high school, it’s no surprise that 17 of this year’s 22 graduates will be attending VIU in September. Khalaileh has enrolled in VIU with plans to pursue a career as a petroleum engineer.
Although Porteous was once convinced that he would not attend university, he will begin Culinary Arts training in January. He said taking a university Media Studies class while still in high school changed his future.
“I think what made me decide to do that was being so close to university. It opened my eyes and changed my perspective on what university is. There’s a whole other side that I’d like to experience.”
For more information on Malaspina High School at VIU call 250-740-6317 or visit www.viu.ca/highschool.
Tags: In the Community
