As a part of Darlington’s Intercultural and ESL Summer Program, 18 international students received a crash course in the English language, American culture, and The Tiger Way. Attendees representing Puerto Rico and the countries of China, Finland, Japan, Mexico and South Korea engaged in the four-week camp, which also toured students around select sites in the South.
The summer program, designed both as preparation for and as a preview of the school year, allowed participants to gain valuable skills for success through English language immersion, familiarity with American traditions and history, and the charge to be culturally sensitive and aware.
“Our program prepares kids for an independent school experience,” said Tara Inman, director of ESL. “There are not many programs where you can get so much culturally in such a short period of time. These brand new kids come to Darlington ahead of the curve.”
The campers, 17 of which began the semester as Darlington students on Monday, became acclimated to the School's campus and core values, without worry of being overwhelmed with new faces and places on their first day of class.
“It takes so much pressure off of [the students] during that first week of school,” said Leanne Mann, program director. “It is all of these personal relationships that they are building that have kept them from showing up on day one and being a lost soul. They have buddies—it really brings the kids together.”
The fundamental component of the summer program was the English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction, which was comprised of 18 hours of classroom lessons each week. The time in class was spent helping to improve the non-native speakers’ reading, writing and comprehension of the language.
“I had been to the United States before, but only speaking English to buy things,” said Emilio Segura of Mexico. “Here [at camp] it is really different—you are developing your English skills.”
One of the highlights for the month of activities was a trip to the nation’s capital. Faculty from different departments helped to prepare campers for their experience, including history teacher Brian Inman. Inman worked with students to develop questions for each site that the participants would visit so they would have a frame of reference before their arrival. Attendees learned all about American history and government, even getting to observe the process firsthand as guests of the U.S. Senate.
While touring the mid-Atlantic region, students also got to enjoy the Busch Gardens Theme Park and an evening ghost tour in Williamsburg, Va., a visit to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., and the chance to observe the famed Chincoteague Pony Swim.
The program’s participants also got to take in the sites in and around Atlanta, visiting the World of Coke, Georgia Aquarium and Tellus Science Museum, while also experiencing whitewater rafting on the Ocoee River, art lessons, a scavenger hunt, Frisbee golf and an authentic American cookout.
An ongoing activity that the 18 would take part in throughout the program was an “I used to think, and now I think” exercise, which helped to break down barriers and preconceived notions about Americans and the American way of life, while also highlighting the unique diversity of each country represented.
“It makes us think about the things that we take for granted,” said Inman. “This program is so fun with the intercultural part, but dense with meaningful curriculum and learning experiences as well.”
Students also took the time to delve into the mission and history of Darlington, learning the Honor Code and becoming more familiar with School policies and protocol. Campers learned about different available resources, what the different departments at Darlington do, how to get from class to class and other helpful tips. The campers also got to meet with staff in Darlington’s I.T. Office to pick up their school-issued MacBooks, set up their accounts in the Business Office, and meet with the Office of Student Life.
Program leaders worked with students to explain and discuss what it meant specifically for Darlington students to have personal honor, and the importance of character development.
“Without their parents it’s a fresh start—they are here without anyone knowing who they were before,” added Mann. “They are on the cusp of adulthood, being sent out in the world, and it is a time for them to decide the kind of man or woman they are going to be.”
Some of the new Chinese students that participated in the summer camp attended Darlington receptions in Shanghai and Beijing earlier this summer, and met with Tara Inman and Head of School Brent Bell—all before even stepping foot on the Darlington campus.
“My dad suggested that I try [the camp] to get use to everything,” said freshman George Zhang. “I feel very lucky—this camp is very important for new students. We can be familiar with facilities, dorms, classrooms—and new study skills. The learning style is so different between countries.”
Many of the students noted the differences they experienced between the way schools are organized in their native country and in the United States.
“With American students there is more discussion and communication in class,” said freshman Zenith Han. “In China, students are learning what the teachers say, and through examinations and taking notes. In the American classroom, there are all kinds of activities.”
“In my country, the relationship is that teachers teach and students learn,” said sophomore Sam Ding. “At Darlington we are more like friends.”
At the conclusion of their summer experience, each student completed an iMovie with Technology Integration Coordinator Rebekah Kinney. Students used the project to help them process their four weeks and solidify what they learned in the curriculum and in experiencing America.
The ESL and Intercultural Summer Program continues to grow each year, as it works to prepare the next group of young international leaders at Darlington.
“The camp is the experience you have in connection with other students and their countries—learning how their culture is, their behavior, how they speak,” said Jan Carlos Riefkohl of Puerto Rico. “It’s getting use to how the school works, the faculty works, the campus, the schedule, your dorm, waking up early and being punctual. I would gladly recommend it for someone else.”
Beyond the important skills that are acquired during the program, it also creates a unique chance for the participants to give back to the student population.
“Our former campers have become sources of information for others,” said Mann. “Oftentimes it gives the kids who are a little more reserved the opportunity to lead. We are building leaders and preparing them for a successful Darlington career.”
Even more than students learning about American culture and respect among those different from themselves, another takeaway was being with other students who are in the same boat—learning a new language in a different land.
“We come from all kinds of countries; we come to America and study here for the same reason—this kind of relationship is not the same as the relationship between classmates,” added Han. “It’s even better than a friendship. It’s a kind of a family—we have all bonded together.”
