Lisgar Collegiate Institute has launched a new international studies program, making it one of six Ottawa-area high schools piloting what’s being billed as an opportunity of a lifetime for globally-minded students.
Students from Grades 9 to 12 can sign up for the International Certificate Program to intensively study foreign culture through workshops, courses and travel to help gain perspective on the different parts of the world.
“Having worked closely with the development of the program, I think it was a logical fit to have it piloted at a school I work at,” says Steven Spidell, head of student services at Lisgar.
Student response is better than expected for the newly launched program, says Spidell.
“Right now we have about a dozen signed up,” he says. “We’re really only just in the early stages. We haven’t even had any information sessions or any real opportunities for students to learn about it.”
The program contains three key components.
Component 1 is 110 hours studying a foreign language and includes an intercultural awareness workshop.
Component 2 includes specific courses a student can choose from that have an international focus so they can continue to study and become global citizens.
Component 3 includes 100 hours of international experience through a student exchange, studying abroad or local activities with a strong focus on international relations.
Ottawa is already home to an international studies program known as the International Baccalaureate. However, the certificate program has been implemented in more schools in Ottawa, making it more accessible for students and not requiring on-going training for teachers.
Another main difference is the certificate program does not require a different curriculum. It is worked into students’ existing classes, says Ross Laing, international education co-ordinator for the Ottawa-Carleton Education Network.