A record-breaking 106 new students joined Laguna this fall. Eighteen of whom are international students.
More specifically, four students from Chile, one from Sweden, three from France, one from Mexico and nine from China became part of the Laguna family.
Most of the students and families found Laguna through the school website.
Some Chinese students were directed to Laguna through relocation agents.
“I like being an international student at Laguna because everybody is nice to me and very welcoming,” freshman Ana Cristina Ojeda from Mexico City said.
Like many other international students at Laguna, Ana Cristina is only staying for a year before returning to her home country.
Most of the Chinese students, however, are going to spend all four years here for high school.
“I love Laguna so far because the teachers and students are really nice to me,” sophomore Sally Li, from China, said. “It’s been hard for me to adapt to the English environment.”
Her freshman cousin, Erik Qin, also from China, added, “I think Laguna Blanca is good because the campus is beautiful.”
SheriAnn Simpson, the diversity coordinator, is in charge of making sure the international students get organized into their classes.
“Having international students on campus is always very beneficial for the local students. It would be very nice if we could not only welcome them, but also try to get to know their culture and the way they think,” SheriAnn Simpson said.
Teachers and students agree that the international students bring diversity and positive experiences to Laguna.
“I think they’re all really cool” sophomore Natasha Heyer said when asked about her opinion on the new international students.
The influx of new families is due in a large part from the efforts of the admissions director, Joyce Balak.
“I think it’s wonderful to have the students here. It brings a cultural richness to the Laguna Community which is great, and, of course, they then get to have an international experience of their own,” Balak said.