Shaler Area High School welcomed a group of international students from a Duquesne University program to explore STEM and STEM courses. The ten students (Rika Kawamoto, Yuto Igarashi, Rui Nagahama, Haruto Mukaida, Kimika Sano, Yuina Seki, Akitoshi Jodai, Kana Adach, Koudai Kitagawa, Sayuri Tanaka, and Momo Sugita, all from Niigata High School) stayed locally at Pittsburgh host family homes for the duration of eight to nine days to see STEM classes in multiple schools. They were only at Shaler Area for three days and created many connections.
“They loved so many of the classes they went to. They really enjoyed the interactive aspects of the classes, as a result, they especially liked some of the science classes. For example, Mrs. Leung’s class,” Japanese teacher Mr. Steve Balsomico said.
Mrs. Jade Leung teaches Honors and regular biology. She tries to keep everything fun and hands-on to help engage the students. Her labs are also very thought out and explained well to adhere to everyone.
Mr. Balsomico was both stressed and overjoyed for the occasion as the students were all over the school. They observed beginning level courses such as algebra 1 all the way to advanced courses like AP Calculus. The schedule would change every day for the duration of three days.
“It was a lot of fun because the times they were in my classroom, they were interacting with my Japanese students and watching that intercultural exchange, and that’s what I live for. That’s why I do this job,” he said.
The visitors were throughout the entire building so many students had the opportunity to talk and interact with students from across the globe. This event created a valuable learning experience that some students would have never experienced before.
“It was really good. How often do you get to meet people from another country? Never. How often do you get to meet people your own age from another country? Not unless you talk to him online, but you don’t really get to meet them,” Mr. Balsomico said.
Mr. Balsomico was very thankful for the opportunity to welcome students into his class and create many opportunities for his students and international students. They’re already planning another trip to welcome even more students to Shaler grounds within the next year.
