Schuylkill Valley High School received the EF High School Exchange Year Global Education Excellence Award for demonstrating an extraordinary commitment to international understanding and global awareness.
“Schuylkill Valley High School has shown an outstanding commitment to offering a global education,” said Bob Fredette, President of EF High School Exchange Year. “By welcoming exchange students into the classrooms, Schuylkill Valley has created new and unique learning opportunities for not just the exchange students, but for the American students and faculty as well.”
This year, Schuylkill Valley welcomed EF High School Exchange Year Norwegian exchange student Rikke Sorlie, staying with the Schaeffer family. Rikke received a concussion while playing in a high school soccer game. Normally, if an exchange student receives a major injury and needs continual treatment they are returned to their home country for treatment as it is beyond the host family’s responsibilities. With the approval of Rikke’s natural parents and the cooperation of the Schaeffer family and everybody at the school, Rikke will be able to complete her exchange year.
During her recovery, which continues to this day, the school has been very cooperative in helping Rikke succeed in her exchange experience. Her guidance counselor, Richard Heckrote, was pivotal in explaining and coordinating everything with Rikke’s teachers and classes. Due to this fact, he was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation from EF High School Exchange Year.
“My experience at Schuylkill Valley High School has been amazing,” said Rikke. “I was able to participate in soccer, which is an experience that I have enjoyed very much. Everyone has been so kind and accepting of me on the team. Unfortunately, I received a head injury during a soccer game at the end of the season and was not able to finish my last game or attend the playoffs. One of the things I appreciate most about my exchange experience is that my American family went above and beyond what is required of a host family by continually taking me for treatment for my injury, rather than my returning to Norway to receive treatment. I feel lucky to be a part of a loving family that I call my own now. Also, my fellow students and teammates, teachers, school nurses and guidance counselors showed me so much concern and kindness and were so understanding of my restrictions during my recovery. I know I will always be welcome here. This year made me grow as a person and I will never forget everyone that was a part of my exchange year.”
Rikke and her host Dad, Brad, her host Mom, Kristina, and host brother, Devin, have been making up for lost time due to her injury. As much as is physically possible for Rikke, they have been participating in EF group activities, shopping, attending Devin’s ice hockey games and traveling to places like New York City and Washington, D.C. so that Rikke can get as many new experiences as possible while here in the U.S. Rikke recently experienced the high school prom, although due continuing issues related to her injury she had to leave early. Rikke and her family are looking forward to her participating in the graduation ceremony next month.
Rikke’s host mother stated, “Having Rikke in our lives has been an exciting and rewarding experience. Having come to United States from Croatia almost 18 years ago on an exchange program myself, I always had the passion and desire for working with international exchange students. Now that I have been able to be a part of the EF exchange year, I feel blessed that we have expanded our family by one daughter this year and we look forward to hosting many more students in years to come. The EF High School Year program is a wonderful opportunity for students to experience the American culture and language first hand. Rikke has been the best daughter and big sister to her host brother we could ever ask for. We truly believe that we will treasure our relationship forever. It is unfortunate that Rikke had sustained an injury early on in her exchange year causing her to miss out on many things she would have been able to enjoy in United States. However, the injury did not stop her from doing her best at school and making the best of her exchange year. She pushed through her year with help of some wonderful staff at Schuylkill Valley High School, school friends and EF staff. We are grateful for everyone’s support and help during Rikke’s recovery. She never once gave up or wanted to go home; instead, she was strong and kept going to school no matter how much pain she was in. We are very proud of Rikke and feel lucky to be a part of such a great and supportive school, community and student exchange agency.”
Since 1979, EF High School Exchange Year has matched more than 100,000 enthusiastic students from around the world with caring host families across the United States.
To learn more, call Sheryle Delewski at 610-562-8801 or visit Facebook pages, EF High School Exchange Year – “International Children and EF Pennsylvania “The Keystone State. Or call 1-800-447-4273 or visit www.efexchangeyear.org
