“Education is a natural process carried out by the human individual, and is acquired not by listening to words, but by experiences in the environment.”
Maria Montessori
As two Oak Farm Montessori High School International students, our Capstone goal is to make a guide booklet for incoming International and Exchange students on their journey at Oak Farm Montessori High School. We will be explaining OFMHS customs, traditions, and life through our perspective and experience.
Büşra Çetinkaya Country: Türkiye
-Merhaba! This is Büşra from Çorum, Türkiye and I’m 18! I came to the USA in August 2023 through a scholarship program, KL-YES. I’m also part of AFS-USA, as it’s my placement organization.
This year I am a Senior at Oak Farm Montessori High School. I was placed through AFS with my host family who live in Avilla. I have been involved with bowling, stage crew for the high school musical, AFS and YES events, MYAC, and various volunteering experiences through my time in America, August of 2023 through June, 4th of 2024. I am excited to see my parents and two sisters back home when I return.
Rivera Country: Chile
-Hola! My name is Antonia, I am 18 years old and I am from Iquique, Chile. I came to the U.S. in August of 2022 as an exchange student through AFS. I was lucky enough to have an amazing host family that brought me to the OFMS community where I spent the best year of my life and got to know so many new people with all sorts of different backgrounds. I was able to experience the theater program, one of the studentrun businesses, eco literary trips, cultural immersion trips, and so much more. I was also part of outside school activities like the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council in Kendallville and the swim team at our local YMCA.
How is it to live in a second language?
Living in a second language can be very difficult, but remember it is a process that will take time, so take it easy! Do not be afraid to ask questions if you do not understand. Once you start engaging in conversations, you will realize that most people are willing to help you out if you have any difficulties. Our greatest advice is to be confident in your abilities and not be afraid to mess up; it happens to everyone—it’s part of the experience!
What can I do when I feel homesick?
Feeling homesick is completely normal! You are now away from your home and everything you are used to. Thankfully, nowadays technology allows us to communicate with our loved ones even if we are on the other side of the world. It is totally okay to call your family when you miss home, just know not to do it very frequently, or it could make it difficult for you to adapt to this new place. Know that you are not alone; you can always share your concerns with your friends and family! They will try their best to help you.
How do I make lots of friends?
Coming to another country on your own can be scary, but making friends might make it a way more pleasant experience. Be open-minded! Do not be afraid to reach out; share your culture, find similar interests, participate in different extracurriculars. Sport teams are a good way to make more friends. Don’t hesitate to ask your friends to hang out! You’ll find that people are often quite receptive and eager to make new friends too. So, embrace the opportunity to meet new people and create lasting friendships during your time here!
How do I get along with my host family?
In most cases, host families will pick you because you have something in common. Embrace that! We know it will be hard at first, but do your best to engage and share moments with them. Cook a meal from your culture, teach them something in your language, or watch a movie together! Don’t spend too much time alone in your room; get to know each other. Every little moment you spend together adds up to your relationship.
What is school life like?
School life may vary depending on how you choose to spend your time. At the high school, you will always find something to do. Students are usually working individually, so it is very common to see them around the school with their computers in their own world. It might be different from back home, but you will adapt to it! At our school, students are more independent and expected to work at their own pace. Teachers and other students are there to help you! They know that it might be difficult for you, and they will help whenever you need it. Besides academics, our school has a lot of fun stuff going on too! You will enjoy our trips, athletics, theater, extracurricular activities, and so on. Community at our school is very valued. You are now part of the community, and you’ll enjoy it!
Simply put, Maria Montessori was a pioneer in education who believed that children should learn individually based on their own interests and abilities. It may seem sometimes that the teachers (guides) speak a different language, but it is all part of her philosophy and the curriculum used at Oak Farm Montessori School.
There’s endless possibilities at Oak Farm Montessori High School. As an international student, you can choose classes depending on your age. There are general requirements for each grade but there are always possibilities to advance to a class that is more appropriate for your abilities and interests. When you are not in a class, you will have a period of individual work time. You can find a quiet spot around the high school and work independently on your assignments. Teachers sometimes might give you work time during a class to work on big projects or to help you prepare for a test. If you come to OFMHS as a Freshman or Sophomore, there is an EcoLiteracy component to the program.
Our assignments and grades are put into Google Classroom. It’s important to keep track of your work and emails. Teachers are always willing to support and help you, so don’t hesitate to reach out to them! There are opportunities for extensions in turning in work, and retaking your tests. Our school only has finals at the end of the school year. However, there are tests throughout the year for most of the classes.
Self-expression classes a.k.a. the fun classes! Through these classes that are usually the choice of yours, you get to experience different fields of art, music, agriculture, technology, health and sport. A few examples include ceramics, robotics, yoga, choir, fencing, painting, PE, health, piano. Self-expression classes have been taking place on Monday mornings.
Büşra’s 3 favorites: Printmaking, CPR & First Aid Training, and Archery.
Antonia’s 3 favorites: Fencing, Ceramics, Printmaking
Mostpeoplehaveexperiencedatraditionaleducation,rowsofdesks,ateacherinfrontofa blackboard,andmemorizationoffactsthathelpyoudowellontests.Ifthatiswhatyouare usedto…youareabouttoenteraveryforeignworldcalledOakFarmMontessoriSchool.
OFMHS begins with it’s first 9th grade class
Size: 8 students
OFMHS graduates it’s first senior class!
Size: 22 students
OFMHS IHSAA athletics offered.
Size: 33 students
11,000 sq ft. expansion of high school added.
Size: 65 students
During the year the events committee organizes different activities for students. Some of the regular things that we do are: movie nights, game nights, roller skating and ice skating.
Every day from Tuesday to Friday we have 30 minutes before lunch in which we come together and prepare for certain activities. On Tuesdays, we have family time, an instance where the whole community participates and it is usually led by the HS Director. We have diverse activities that include a reflection at the end. On Wednesdays, we separate into groups and participate in different committees. We have maintenance, events and festivals, celebrations, art/gala, prom, finance, and trips committee. On Thursdays, we have Community Meeting, this is when we get together to discuss things related to our community. On Fridays, we have advisory time, in which a group of students meet with an assigned teacher and discuss their plans regarding any missing work and/or future assignments. Occasionally, we have solo time, which is silent work of the hand; crocheting, reading, rubik’s cube,etc
Some morning there is an assigned facilitator who poses a thought provoking question to the community. Each person answers as it goes around the circle.
Pathways are the high school’s hands-on student-run businesses. It’s an opportunity for students to experience possible career paths and learn business skills. For the 2023-2024 school year, we had: Coffee Shop (Hospitality), Bike Shop (Mechanics), InnoLab, and Farm, Animal Sciences & Land Management. You will have designated time each morning, Tuesday through Friday, for these professions.
At the Oak Farm Montessori School High School, trips are a very important part of the curriculum. There is a fall trip for all high school students in which we typically go camping for a few days. There, we participate in several activities, and engage in discussions as a community while receiving science related lessons.. Personally, we believe that it is a very important time to connect with your peers and build relationships at the beginning of the year.
During the spring, there are two trips. The freshmen-sophomore trip and the junior trip. Underclassmen go together for a week to a new place, some trips we’ve had in the past include: Chicago, New York, and Gulf Shores. The junior class goes on a cultural immersion trip, this is tied to the Spanish curriculum so typically a destination that speaks Spanish predominantly is chosen. The most common destination for this trip is Spain.
International students experience something different from the trips than traditional students. They are also far from home, immersed in a different culture, and trying to understand a second language.
This is a home of opportunities to explore yourself! You can do sports, theater, start a club, and volunteer for before care or after care as part of your time out of school hours.
When the theater auditions are open for the high school, you can audition and be a part of the play! In the Fall there is a secondary (middle and high school) play and in the spring there is a musical. If you don’t feel comfortable acting, you can also help with stage management and creating backdrops.
Being able to start a club for any age group at our school is an unique opportunity. It could be about anything you have an interest in teaching, such as cooking, crafting, origami, or yoga.
Another opportunity is applying to be a volunteer for the Before and Aftercare programs. They serve on campus students from infants through elementary school.
Want to be a Falcon? It’s fun to compete for your team, but the time you spend with your teammates during practice makes it even more special and enjoyable! It’s a good way to bond with your teammates and get closer. It depends on the sport, but you will have practice during the week after school. After each season ends, the Season Banquet is held. At the banquet, the athletes are acknowledged by receiving a participation certificate.
