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Moving abroad to study is as nerve-racking as it is exciting. It’s a huge transition into a new place and new experiences — doubly so when you’re still in high school and don’t have parents accompanying you.
Preparation was key for Harry Dang, who moved from Vietnam to the US to join Houghton Academy. “I felt a bit nervous and scared. But I’m so excited to get here,” says the 15-year-old. “I prepared everything for this moment, so I’m ready for this big chance.”
While Dang had an open mind and was all set to be independent and organised, he didn’t have to do everything on his own. The academy is proud of its combination of small school care with large school opportunities. International students never feel like another number here. Instead, they’re welcomed with warmth and are cared for academically and socially.
“Houghton Academy has language support classes for students who are not good at English,” Dang says. “The teacher-to-student ratio in class helped me adapt to the academy too. In my country, it would be 1:50, but it’s only 1:7-10 here. The teachers and staff are also so friendly and supportive. They help me a lot to get used to the new environment.”
The academy has been around since 1883, surrounded by rolling hills and loads of small-town charm. Still, for Dang, it’s some 8,000 miles worth of travel away from home. For international students in the same position, the school does the most to ensure that both student and their parents ease into life abroad as seamlessly as possible.
The support for this transition begins even before they board the plane. About 50% of Houghton Academy’s student body are from abroad, so the school is well-versed on what can go wrong and has processes to help students minimise complications.
For example, the school practises rolling admissions, so those who are travelling internationally have the option to start only when they’re able to arrive in the country. That gives families sufficient time to attain visas, I-20 forms, medical form, and other documents, as well as to pack using the guided list.
While completing these practical steps, parents are also encouraged to prepare their children to acclimatise to a completely new culture. That includes getting them used to new day-to-day foods and spurring them to study and speak English more frequently.
“I talked more with my parents to gain experience and also improved my English, especially my speaking skills, which helped me become more confident,” says Vietnamese student Christa Nguyen.
Houghton Academy students represent over 60 countries. Source: Houghton Academy
But if a student’s English skills aren’t perfect, that’s not a problem. Houghton Academy accepts students of all calibres so long as they show potential. The school doesn’t put anyone down when it comes to English; they lift them up.
English Language Learner (ELL) support is not only offered, but tailored to a student’s needs. They work with teachers in small classrooms and have periodic check-ins.
For Nguyen, adapting to a new, fully English learning environment wasn’t the easiest, and she struggled with it outside of class. But lucky for her, her teachers went above and beyond to accelerate her learning.
“The teacher spent their lunch time teaching me,” Nguyen says. “They were very patient and attentive. This made me feel comfortable and understand the lesson better.”
Like the stories of Dang and Nguyen show, students have the full support of faculty and staff before, during, and after their transition to the academy. The school organises free transportation when they arrive at the Buffalo International Airport on several selected dates throughout the year. Students are given the time to settle into a routine in their accommodation of either a home dorm or a family homestay, learn how to find their way around campus, and attend orientation sessions to integrate themselves into the community.
From orientation until graduation, students can always rely on the academy’s comprehensive list of support and resources.
Houghton Academy has a personalised curriculum, with over 250 courses and more than 150 free university dual-credit courses to choose from. Source: Houghton Academy
Houghton Academy has a personalised curriculum, with over 250 courses and more than 150 free university dual-credit courses to choose from. Source: Houghton AcademyMost importantly, they have the backing of the entire campus community. The dedication shown by Nguyen’s ELL teacher is a shared attribute throughout all of Houghton’s staff and teachers. As soon as they arrive, these teachers help students design a four-year personalised learning plan to realise their future goals. Parents can liaise with the Resident Life Team if their child needs added support too. That’s what the Enhanced Support Programme (ESP) is for — to design an individualised plan to work on particular struggles, like an electronic addiction.
Whether it’s for the ESP or any other matter, parents can always and easily reach the academy. The boarding director is available 24/7, and parents get regular updates. Students are advised to build a regular flow of communication with their parents while they’re away from them too. Regular child-to-parent contact is the best cure for homesickness, even if it’s over the phone.
And when that’s not possible, teachers step in. For Dang, it was one of his teacher’s actions that helped with the blues. “He found a special way to make Vietnamese coffee that made me feel like I’m at home,” Dang says.
That’s the kind of community your child will be part of from their first day here — the people at Houghton Academy are warm and inviting, and that makes beginning life anew in the US a lighter challenge. They have the teachers, counsellors, nurses, and dorm parents as adults to rely on. And they will have new friends, fun weekend activities, and visits to the local town to make themselves feel at home, too.
“You will meet people from all over the world, so be ready to adapt and learn,” Nguyen says. “It may be difficult at first, but this is a great opportunity to grow, explore, and also love yourself.”
If that’s what you’re looking for, then click here to learn more about Houghton Academy today.
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