International Students 2017-2018

Community; a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals. (Google). The residents of Keene and Keene Valley, New York can mostly agree on the great sense of community within the area. It pulses through the entire town beginning at the heart, Keene Central School.

The International Student Program contributes immensely to the town of Keene and Keene Valley. For six years Keene Central School has generously hosted over 30 international students from countries around the globe. The program began in 2011, overseen by Joy McCabe, she could not be a more perfect advisor to the program. Each day she creates a motherly, caring environment to Keene’s foreign students. In 2017, Keene Central School has been privileged with five international students, and feels honored to add these five individuals to the caring community.

Jacobo Ostos

Jacobo comes from Madrid, Spain and is staying with the Shambo Family. In Spain he lives with his two brothers, mother and father. Compared to Madrid, Jacobo says Keene is very calm, and an active place. After traveling to Western Europe, Africa, and Argentina Jacobo was happy to find out how friendly and patient everyone is to the international students. He is looking forward to perfecting his English and playing sports most. Surprisingly, Jacobo finds study hall is his hardest class because of how “boring” it is. One fun fact about Jacobo is he has no secrets and is an open book!

Maialen Olabarrieta

Similar to Jacobo, Maialen is from Spain; however, she lives in the Northern Basque country part of Spain. She is staying with the Smith family for her year in Keene. Maialen impressively speaks Bask, Spanish and English. She describes herself as a caring, involved person who always has a smile on her face. When Maialen is older she intends to become a college English professor. Until then, Maialen will continue to be a hard working student.

Gabriel Belisario

Gabriel is the only international student this year to be in the senior class. He is from Brazil and speaks Portugese. During his time in Keene, he is also staying with the Smith family. When Gabriel was asked about the cafeteria food the only word he could think of was “marvelous”! In Brazil, Gabriel enjoys going for walks, playing with his dogs, and eating food. A fun fact about Gabriel is he tends to daydream often. He enjoys all the new things he is experiencing in Keene so far. The hardest course he is taking is Chemistry, hands down!

Kim Doan

Kim is from Vietnam, and she is staying with the Queens’ family. She was surprised at how peaceful it is compared to her very noisy, busy city-life in Vietnam. Something that always makes Kim smile is the thought of her older sister, Lucy, who was a past international to Kim’s trip to Keene, she has traveled to Japan and Korea. She also agrees with Gabriel that Chemistry is her hardest class.

Ryo Kobayashi

Ryo is from Japan; however, he previously lived in North Carolina! He is staying with the Haverlick family in Keene. Ryo describes himself as an athletic person, in fact, he is a starter on Keene’s varsity soccer team this year. One fun fact about Ryo is he finds it hard to smile. He is surprised people in Keene do not take their shoes off when going inside. InJapan, Ryo attends school on Saturdays. Similar to the other international students, Ryo finds Chemistry to be his most difficult class this year.