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An Illinois International High School

International Activities 2006-2007

Payton around the World…

Chinese Program

This summer, 10 to 15 Payton Chinese language students will be able to travel to China or enroll in DePaul University’s summer program at NO cost through various grants.

Ms. Estrada and Ms. Lu attended a video conference with Shenyang Experimental High School in Shenyang, China in November of 2006 and the two schools signed a sister school agreement. Payton Chinese language teachers, Ms. Lu and Ms. Chuu, are now planning exchange trips between the two schools. Thanks to the Confucius Institute, Payton students can apply to take trips to China this summer. Also, Payton was able to host student dancer-acrobats from Renmin University's high school arts program in Beijing.

French Program

The Strasbourg exchange continues to be a most beneficial culmination to our students' French studies. Having coordinated the 2005-2006 October/April exchange for 17 advanced French students (joined by Dr. Pozen) for the trip to France, Mesdames Imrem and Gonzalez are diligently planning the 2007-08 exchange with their teacher partners in France. This year, 42 students applied for 21 spots in the program; the applicant pool was so large and so strong that a lottery system was necessary to select the group of participating students.

Japanese Program

Last year the Consul General and the City of Osaka Office helped us to establish a sister-school relationship with Osaka City Senior High School, a school of approximately 900 students who are academically ambitious and successful. We visited them after school ended in June of 2006, departing June 16th and returning July 2nd.

From Saturday, March 24th through March 31st, students in all levels of the Japanese language program enjoyed the excitement of hosting visitors from K[okusai] J[oho] High School from Niigata Prefecture in northern Japan. Kokusai Jouhou is a phrase that means "international information," a fine name for a selective-enrollment school like ours.

Latin Program

"The plane touched down in Milan Italy to the utter delight of twenty-seven unique students who were to embark on the trip of a lifetime. These students were the product of Ms. Gemskie’s Latin classes and the Ciao Italia Seminar. I had the fortune of being one of those students.

"After we arrived, we set out for Piacenza, to greet our host families. They were in a word ‘ecstatic’ about our visit. Arriving at the high school we were quickly picked up and taken ‘home’. After getting settled and adjusting to the meals and sleep pattern, we took on Italy. There were three scheduled field trips arranged, including a press conference with the Italian media and class at the school. We visited the heart of Piacenza, the beautiful waterways of Venice, and the Duomo in Milan. Every night we returned home to a welcome cultural exchange. Our host families tried to give us the comforts of home, coupled with the flavor of Italy. For instance, one night I had Annolini soup with parmesan cheese and fried chicken with fries.

"The last day of the exchange came, and we were off to Rome to continue our European adventure. After studying Latin for four years, we were finally able to absorb the history first hand that we have learned so much about. Seeing places like the Circus Maximus, the Coliseum, and the Pantheon allowed me to appreciate and understand the ancient world of the Romans. Years from now we may not remember names or faces, but we will always remember the lessons, humanity, and culture that this trip awarded us." - Brittany Young, student

Spanish Program

"For the first time 12 Payton students had the unique opportunity to visit Chile. It was an amazing experience of literature, culture and language. We arrived in Santiago, the capital city, and we visited one of Pablo Neruda’s homes, the seat of the government, "La Moneda," and other places of interest, the next day we took a train south to Concepcion, where we were greeted by our host families. On Friday we went to regular classes and later we toured around the Universidad de Concepcion, Mr. Canario’s alma mater. On Saturday we visited the coal mining town of Lota, where we descended below the earth’s surface in order to tour the coal caves. Sunday was a day to meet with the host families for a barbecue by the Pacific Ocean. The barbecue was hosted by Mr. Canario’s mother and father.

"Monday, in a sad farewell, we said goodbye to our new Chilean friends. The last two days we visited Valparaiso and Viña de Mar and house and museum of Neruda’s legacy. Our first trip to Chile was fulfilled with joy and amazing experiences that will last in our memories for a long time. Chaperones were Mrs. Virginia Cudecki and myself." - Antonio Canario, teacher

Read about Walter Payton's International Activities of 2003-2004
Read about Walter Payton's International Activities of 2004-2005

Learn more about the Illinois International High School Initiative