Thornton Academy Postscripts Alumni Magazine Spring 2014 | Page 14

TA IN T ER N AT ION A L TA IN T ER N AT ION A L A TA that neverStudents International sleeps 2 1 Just how global is TA? 1. On a spring trip to China, Headmaster Menard inaugurated four parent associations, including this the establishment of the boarding to grow academic programming that Over the past two centuries, Thornton program has had a positive impact on Academy has hosted international benefits all students, something we the academic programs at TA. The students from around the world -- from could not have done on public funding Brazil to Germany to Denmark -- or sent survey results: 38% of alums felt it had a alone, “The boarding program has its alums to work in locations around the positive impact and 54% said they allowed us to grow our programs, add weren’t sure. Let’s take a moment to globe, creating a far flung alumni teaching staff, fund 24 population where “TA never AP courses, provide sleeps.” However, over the One of the impacts of the boarding program has extensive extracurricular last decade, the number of been the ability to grow our academic programming programs, etc. while international students on that benefits all students, something we could not surrounding schools campus has grown to 140 have done on public funding alone. from 21 different countries, an unprecedented diversity worth celebrating (see map above for the sending countries of current students). As part of a self-study survey, Thornton Academy alums were asked if they felt one in Shanghai. 2. Thornton Academy offers seven foreign languages, including, French, German, Latin, Ancient Greek, Spanish, Chinese, and Arabic. 3. a Lunar New Year celebration dinner. Students performed music, danced, demonstrated their respective foreign language-speaking skills and served traditional foods to more than 100 guests. have had to cut look at how the international program has impacted TA. programs over the past five years.” According to Chief Financial Officer Paul Kelly, one of the impacts of the boarding program has been the ability Local students studying Chinese collaborated with TA students from China and Vietnam to throw an international community on campus, Perhaps most importantly, by creating 4. Thornton Academy launched its first Summer English Language Program in 2013, educating we prepare students better for working 18 students from 6 different countries. in a global economy. Inkar Artygalina ‘14: “TA is part of my life” Imagine a teenager traveling, on her own, from the wind-scoured heights of the Kazakh steppes to Saco, Maine and spending two years studying in a foreign language. That’s what Inkar Artygalina ‘14 has done. “I wanted to come to TA so I could experience living with other international students in the dorm, but also learning American culture and practicing English with lots of Americans. I learned that, at first, Americans seem distant, but if you are nice to them, they are nice back to you.” Inkar is choosing between going to U. of Toronto or U. of California-Irvine. “I might choose the warmer one,” she said with a shy smile. Her guidance counselors would be pleased to hear Inkar explain how she chose her colleges, “I wanted a university with a lot of majors; I don’t know yet what I want to do. I want to try things out, and then choose.” In June, Inkar’s parents will travel to Saco, for the first time, to watch her graduate. Reflecting on graduation, Inkar said, “TA is part of my life now. I consider it a home. I’m excited to show it to my parents.” Inkar will travel back to Kazakstan with her parents and work for the summer. “My ability to speak English has created more job opportunities for me at home, better jobs.” She plans to stay in touch with alumni through social media. 14 POSTSCRIPTS 3 4 POSTSCRIPTS 15