THUNDER BAY - The public school board in Thunder Bay has recruited 17 new international students this year.
That's more than double the number of students who enrolled last year in the inaugural year of a new initiative, Lakehead Public Schools International.
The students were welcomed on Tuesday at a special orientation event at Hammarskjold High School that also included icebreaker games, networking and a luncheon. Refugee students enrolled in the public school system participated as well.
This year's new international program participants come from China, Vietnam and Spain.
Each of the board's four high schools has registered international students.
Program coordinator My-Tien Nguyen said the board is happy to share Canadian culture with foreign students while they study in local schools, adding that "It will also be exciting to have the students share their cultures with our local students."
The students are living in homestay boarding homes facilitated by Canadian Homestay Network.
Board officials said last year that their target is to recruit 50 students within five years.
