International Program Reaches 20 Years of Strengthening Cross-Cultural Understanding

The Rev. Mark R. Francis, CSV, International Program at Saint Viator celebrates 20 years this fall, and its numbers of students continue to grow.

According to Mrs. Stefania Svejnoha, International Program Administrator, there are 45 students in the program this year, including 17 new students enrolled, of which 13 are transfer students and four are freshmen.

“When I started the second semester of 2022-2023, the program was at 35 students, and I think they were mainly Chinese and Vietnamese,” Mrs. Svejnoha says. “Now we are at 45 students, and we have introduced five new countries since then, increasing the program enrollment by 28% in three years.”

This year, the International Program welcomed students from the Czech Republic and Russia to the school. Consequently, the program now represents students from China, Colombia, the Czech Republic, Guatemala, Russia, South Korea, and Vietnam.

One of them is Daniel Aquino, who is a senior this year. He is from Guatemala and enjoys playing soccer at Saint Viator and participating in the International Student Ambassadors Club.

“My experience at Saint Viator is amazing. The teachers and students are really kind and welcoming,” Daniel says. “I originally came because of the sports program, but the academics and the community are really great. They have prepared me not just for college but also for life. This experience really changed the way I see the world and has helped me grow in immeasurable ways.”

Another student, junior Yifeng "Andy" Xu of China, enjoys playing soccer and badminton, while also participating in the International Student Ambassadors Club. He credits the program with expanding his horizons, literally.

“What I find most meaningful here is the interaction with people whose backgrounds and outlooks differ greatly from those at home,” Andy says. “Saint Viator provides a unique platform for these exchanges, allowing me to build friendships not only with fellow international students but also with American classmates.” 

When the program began in 2005, it was conceived as a means to introduce new cultures, diverse traditions, and cross-cultural understanding to all students, while providing a college preparatory education and English language immersion for international students. 

Students stay with host families, which offers them an immersive experience, allowing them to learn about local customs, traditions, and daily American life. At school, they are also involved in a variety of sports and extracurricular activities.

Take Senior Star Gu, who was a key returning player for Head Football Coach Robbie Gould this season, helping to anchor the defensive line. Other students play soccer, on both the varsity and junior varsity teams, while some girls are on the tennis team, and others helped Mrs. Svejnoha start the badminton club last year. 

Among extracurriculars, many of the international students are involved in STEM activities and the Math Team, while others are talented artists, she adds. 

“Leading this program has been an absolute joy,” Mrs. Svejnoha says. “Our students have taught me patience, acceptance, and what it truly means to be brave. I deeply admire the leap of faith they and their families take in sending their children here and entrusting us with their education and well-being. I am excited to see how the program continues to grow and where the next three years will take us.”