Every year, Fox Valley Lutheran High School has the privilege to host and teach 30-40 students from other countries! Over the years, FVL has welcomed students from over 40 countries.
In a world recovering from the effects of COVID-19, we hope and pray more students are able to travel internationally to attend FVL. Currently, 24 international students need host families to be able to attend FVL in 2022-23. The waiting students are from China, South Korea, Italy, France, Germany, Spain, and Thailand.
Hosting an international student can be a life-changing experience—for you, your family, and the student!
Meet Sangmin (Sammy) Kim, a junior from Seoul, Korea.
Currently in his second year at FVL, Sammy is involved with robotics, Student Council, soccer, and track. He describes his journey to FVL as nothing short of remarkable. He had never considered studying in the U.S. His planned pathway to a university was to stay in Korea—until a friend recommended he study at FVL.
This was where FVL graduates Kenn ('02) and Tara ('03) entered Sangmin's life.
"I witnessed the relationship that my aunt and uncle had with the international students they had hosted," reflected Tara. "They taught them, as they taught their own children, to develop strong moral values and the importance of nourishing faith."
On the one-year anniversary of her aunt's death, Tara noticed a bulletin announcement about the need for host families at FVL. Her family had the room to host, so she approached her husband Kenn, and the rest was history.
Although he had studied the Bible prior to arriving at FVL, Sammy had many unanswered questions. His family in Korea and his host family encouraged him to continue his spiritual growth. Under Pastor John Qualmann at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Greenville, Sammy studied the Bible and became a member of the congregation.
"To be able to teach Sammy, whose home is on the other side of planet Earth, is just another privilege that anyone who is part of FVL's ministry can be thankful for," Pastor Qualmann said. "We know that this will make an eternal difference for Sammy, but who knows what eternal difference this will make for his friends, his family, and future generations? What a blessing for all of us here to witness!"
Through the encouragement of his teachers, coaches, host family, and church family, Sangmin is thriving in the FVL community. He lives in the joy and comfort of the resurrection. He sees God's hand in his journey to FVL.
"Religion classes at FVL and Bible classes at church allowed me to ask questions about passages and parts of Scripture I knew but wasn't sure what they meant," said Sammy. "It has given me the opportunity to better communicate my faith and let my light shine."
For Tara and Kenn, they see the tremendous blessing of hosting students.
"Our family gets the privilege to open our home and hearts to teenagers," Tara said. "Teaching our kids and international students that the gospel can be told anywhere and anytime is a lesson they won't forget."
Want to learn more about the FVL International Program?
Visit the International Program page on this website.
Contact the International Program Coordinator Mrs. Monica Uhlenbrauck with questions.
muhlenbrauck@fvlhs.org
920-560-5128 (call only)