BYNG

AFTER 3 YEARS OFF DUE TO COVID-19, THE EXCHANGE PROGRAM IS RETURNING!!!

If you are interested in hosting, shadowing, or going to Japan, you need to join our Google Classroom! See Mr. Rob or Mr. Pierce for the code!
 

SPRING EXCHANGE – Japanese students coming to Byng

Overview

Byng High School partners with Ada High School to provide a short-term exchange program with Ibaraki Christian High School in Hitachi, Ibaraki, Japan. Each year around March, ICHS brings students to Oklahoma, who live with local families, go to school at Ada HS or Byng HS, go on cultural trips, and participate in cultural activities. The purpose of the exchange is to completely immerse the Japanese students in American culture for a short period.

Hosts

Each Japanese exchange student will live with a volunteer Byng student during their stay. This student is referred to as the “host.” Students must submit an application to host and their family must undergo an interview process before being selected. Some financial assistance will be provided to cover the increased expenses of having an additional household member for two weeks, but we try to keep the cost of the exchange low for the traveling students, so a certain amount of goodwill is expected from volunteer homestay families. Host students will be expected to work with the shadow student and to attend program events on the weekends and after school.

Shadows

Each Japanese exchange student will go to class with a different Byng student on school days. This student is referred to as the “shadow.” This system is used to give hosts a break and to build a larger circle of friends for the exchange student. Students must submit an application to shadow and must undergo an interview process before being selected. The shadow student is expected to work with the host student to provide the best experience and will also be expected to attend program events after school.

Dates

The tentative dates for the 2023 spring exchange are February 24 – March 9, 2023.

Hosts Meeting

There is a meeting Monday, December 12 at 5:30 in the HS student center for families interested in hosting. If you cannot attend, please visit with Mr. Rob or Mr. Pierce.

SUMMER EXCHANGE – Byng students going to Japan

Overview

Byng High School partners with Ada High School to provide a short-term exchange program with Ibaraki Christian High School in Hitachi, Ibaraki, Japan. Each year over summer break, Byng HS and Ada HS send students to ICHS in Japan for two weeks to will live with an ICHS student, go to their school, go on cultural trips, and participate in cultural activities. The purpose of the exchange is to completely immerse the American students in Japanese culture for a short period.

Cost

The exchange usually costs around $2500-$3000, but the amount changes year-to-year and is mostly dependent on the cost of plane tickets. Students will also need spending money on top of the payment to the program. If you are interested in going, please start saving right now!

Dates

The dates for the 2023 summer exchange have not yet been set.

QUESTIONS/CONTACT

All announcements and information will be posted to the exchange program Google Classroom. See Mr. Rob or Mr. Pierce for the code to join. If you have any specific questions, please email Mr. Rob at josh.roberson@byngschools.org.