International Students Enjoy First Day of School

Portland Christian’s International Student Program (ISP) welcomes students from around the world and challenges them academically as they improve their command of the English language, extends to them the love of Christ, and provides them with the shelter of family.
 
In June 2012, PCS graduated 20 ISP seniors from 6 different countries.  All have been accepted to colleges and universities to begin in the fall of 2012!   
 
Students from 9 countries (Japan, Spain, France, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, and Vietnam) studied at PCHS in grades 9-12 in the 2011-12 academic year.  In addition to the academics, ISP students enjoyed hosting FAB (“Friends Across Borders”) events to reach out to their PCHS American friends.  Some of the FAB events of this past year included Snow Day on Mt. Hood, the annual “America vs. the World” soccer game, and International Food Night. We have seen our cadre of international students grow and mature in all aspects of life as they have participated in the American culture  – academically, linguistically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually.  What a blessing!
 
We are sad to say good-bye to Becky Coulson, ISP Counselor, who retired at the end of the school year.  Becky started her career at PCS in 2000 at the Vancouver campus and joined us at PCHS in 2006.  Becky has guided and counseled hundreds of international students at PCHS.  Under her leadership, 98% of the ISP graduates were admitted to colleges and universities throughout the USA and the world!  We will greatly miss “Mrs. Coulson” but we all wish her a blessed and relaxing retirement!
 
As we prepare for the start of the 2012-13 school year, we look forward with hope and excitement to once again hosting a fine group of international students from around the world!