In the past, the New Glasgow family has hosted students from Mexico, Germany, China, Spain and Columbia, and for the past three weeks has been the homestay family to Ekin Ciftci from Turkey.
While mom Nancy said each experience has been great, Ciftci’s stay with them has been exceptional. “This one in particular has been fabulous,” she said.
Stewart’s daughter Chloe is a Grade 8 student, and so is Ciftci, while the other students hosted by the family were usually much older. “I think it has to do with the fact that they’re the same age,” said Kevin Stewart.
The family got involved with the Nova Scotia International Student Program as a way to find out about other cultures.
“For me, at least, I think it’s a neat way to teach kids that the world doesn’t end at Pictou County. There are different traditions, different ways of speaking, different belief systems,” said Nancy.
“It’s a good way to learn about other cultures without having to leave home,” said Kevin.
Ciftci is one of 15 students from Turkey who arrived in Pictou County in early September as part of the program. She and eight other students have been attending classes at New Glasgow Academy, while the remaining six are going to East Pictou Middle School. In total, 65 students from that country are in the province as part of the NSISP’s short-stay program.
NSISP homestay co-ordinator Dianne McKenzie said the students wanted to come to Nova Scotia because they have heard it is “beautiful, safe and the people are very friendly.”
She said the students come here to improve their English and learn about Canadian culture. In return, they share their culture with students in Nova Scotian schools.
When Ciftci arrived in New Glasgow, it took a while to get used to her new surroundings as she’s accustomed to having many more people around. Her home city has three million people and her school population is 3,000, while her adopted town has 9,500 residents and a school with nearly 500 students.
In her home country, she has to wear a uniform to school, and things like jewelry and nail polish aren’t allowed. Cellphones are also collected by the teachers at the start of the school day and returned at the end. “The teachers are strict. You can’t be free in school,” said Ciftci.
She wanted to come to Nova Scotia to improve her English language skills and to learn about Canadian culture. While at NGA, she is in a class along with several other Turkish students from her own school.
During her stay, Ciftci got to see the RCMP Musical Ride and has enjoyed trips to Peggy’s Cove, Halifax and Truro. “In Turkey we can’t see nature so much,” she said.
Ciftci also attended her first hockey game, tried curling, and discovered a new favourite food – a dessert with chocolate mousse, crushed cookies and strawberries.
She introduced her host family to Turkish coffee, and said the food is fairly similar between the two countries. “In Turkey we don’t use that much sauce,” she said.
Chloe said Ciftci’s stay has been a lot of fun, and she’s learned some Turkish words.
When the visit is over at the end of this week, Nancy predicts are tearful farewell. “We might have some tears shed on Friday.”
International Student Program
The Nova Scotia International Student Program was founded as a way for students from around the world to learn more about the language and culture of Nova Scotia. Since 1997, NSISP has welcomed thousands of students and has grown to include more than 800 host families in communities across the province.
Short-term programs are four- to eight-week placements for international student groups in Nova Scotia schools. The groups are usually placed in elementary and junior high schools and provide students with a total English immersion and cultural experience.