How might we integrate new students into the Boise community?
When challenged to help make going back to school in the fall a more positive experience, a team of One Stone students wanted to help high schoolers who were new to the Treasure Valley. Many of the team’s members attend school with international programs and have seen first-hand how difficult integration can be for new students. After interviewing Andy Johnson, the Middle and High School Director of Riverstone International School, the group gained insight on how important the first few weeks of being somewhere new are. Students are moving to a new space, learning the ins and outs of a new city, trying to meet new people, and sometimes even practicing a new language. Armed with this knowledge, the One Stone team wanted to focus on making international students feel comfortable in their new home.
In order to get students acquainted with their new city, the group organized a walking tour around Boise during the first week of school. 25+ international students from Riverstone International School and Bishop Kelly High School joined the planning team in exploring a variety of historical, natural, and recreational highlights featured on a custom map each student could take home with them. The team mapped out which locations they thought the new students would like to learn more about and potentially visit again in more depth. The walking tour included visiting Capital City Public Market, the Idaho Capitol building, Freak Alley, Bodo, Art in the Park, and the Basque Block. Midway through the tour, the students got to know each other better during a pizza lunch in Capitol Park. At the end of the afternoon, the new students voiced how much more comfortable they had become with the Boise area. They had made new connections with people outside their schools and wanted to be a part of future One Stone activities.
Outcomes
25+ international students participated in the 2 hour walking tour.
90% of recipients indicated that they feel more comfortable exploring downtown Boise after the Walk Boise event.
The top highlights for recipients were the Idaho Capitol building and the Anne Frank Memorial.
How new students described Walk Boise?
“A bonding experience,” “Informative,” and “Awesome.”
In the planning team’s own words:
“The project made me feel more like a leader in my community by guiding new individuals.”
“Doing this project helped me expand my presentation skills, and I was able to help plan and organize an event that I was able to be a part of. It is such a great feeling being able to see the progress our group made.”
“This project raised my confidence in being a leader as I helped introduce the new international students to Boise. I enjoyed getting to know new students as well.”
“This project helped me become a better leader and learn more about the struggles that exchange students face when coming to a new country.”
