At SHS, there are a lot of students from different countries. The International Club has an important role to connect the students who have different backgrounds and cultures in such a diverse school.
“Most importantly, it exposes students to other cultures, and we’re a pretty diverse school,” said Christine Posadas, one of the club sponsors. “We have kids from all different backgrounds, and it just encourages them to interact with one another and to learn about others.”
This club usually provides club meetings with presentations, similar to a lesson but with more fun facts, such as crafts or games, traditions, cultural foods and customs about certain countries.
The sponsors of the club are Tanya Johnson and Posadas. They help the students enjoy the activities with this club.
“We just love learning language and culture, and we know that there are a lot of students who enjoy that as well,” Posadas said. “We just want to provide opportunities for students to find whatever they’re interested in and enjoy the club.”
One of the distinctive points of the International Club is that it is led by students. They can develop leadership skills and learn how to run an organization through this work. By leading the club by themselves, they figure out what they want to do with this club, which is much more interesting for them.
The members of the club have a responsibility to help other students understand their own culture and nation through activities.
“I think it’s important because it helps students get an idea of how to really manage something,” junior Khai Aung said. “And so that’s kind of good with future careers as well such as businesses.”
Students in the club learn not only the importance of being respectful and understanding of each culture, but also responsibility and leadership skills with this club.