Meet the Country Ambassadors

Country Ambassadors are Malaspina High School current students or alumni who volunteered to communicate with prospective students and their parents by answering questions about studying at Malaspina High School. Feel free to contact an ambassador from your country or region to get information about Malaspina High School, campus environment, lifestyle in Canada & Nanaimo.

If you have questions regarding programs, admissions or tuition fees, please contact Mr. Keith Watson, the principal of Malaspina High School for details: keith.watson@viu.ca

Brazil, Canada, China, Columbia, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Kuwait, Mexico, Mongolia,Nigeria, Qatar, Russia, Taiwan, Thailand, Ukraine, Vietnam.

Brazil

Name: Eduardo Scalzilli Tannhauser
Program: Graduation Program & Summer Program (2006)
Languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish and German
E-mail: e.tannhauser@hotmail.com

 

“I studied at Malaspina International High School in 2006. Canada is definitely one of the best countries I have ever been. Nanaimo is a calm and peaceful city where you can enjoy the beautiful beach in the summer and go for a ski trip up to the mountains in the winter. I did the Summer and Graduation Program at the school and I got to know people from all over the world that I still keep in touch. One of my best friends I have ever met is from Nanaimo and he used to be my classmate at Malaspina. I had great teachers at the school, and I can still remember them all. Mrs. Stewart, Mrs. Young, Mr. Broderick and Mrs. Kubota were all very patient, interested and helpful teachers. Today I am studying mechanical engineering at UFRGS (Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul), I work in a small engineering company and love to dedicate my time to social projects made by myself and play in a samba rock band. The school provided me with fluent English and gave me memories that I will never forget.”

Canada, Ladysmith

Name: Cari Ida Cooper
Program: Graduation Program (2012)
Languages: English
E-mail: cariicooper016@gmail.com

“I have attended Malaspina High School for 3 years. It has been a fantastic experience for me! I have truly appreciated the small class sizes and committed teachers. My school performance improved significantly at Malaspina. As a Canadian student, I am also grateful for the leadership opportunities that the school has provided for me. The school creates opportunities for students to familiarize themselves with the area and engage in a variety of extracurricular activities. Being on the University campus is awesome, having access to all facilities and being exposed to university life. I have also made friends from all over the world and I look forward to visiting them during future travels. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments. I look forward to hearing from you!”

China

Name: Jeffrey Hong
Program: Graduation Program(2005)
Languages: English, Chinese
E-mail: hsredemption@hotmail.com

Hello everyone! My name is Jeffrey and I came from China. Back in 2003 to 2005, I spent two spectacular years at Malaspina.  Without a doubt there were challenges for studying overseas but MHS helped me tremendously getting through different cultures and languages. I consider it a wonderful place to both broaden your vision internationally and prepare yourself for today's fast developing globalization. My Malaspina experience allowed me to get accustomed in a foreign country easily and jump over the language barrier in less than three months.  None of this would have been possible without the friends and great teachers I got to know at Malaspina High School.

China

Name: Joe Yuhang Zhou
Program: Graduation Program(2009)
Languages: English, Chinese
E-mail: yhaiqq@hotmail.com

 

 

China

Name: Philip Liqin Wang
Program: Graduation Program(2012)
Languages: English, Chinese
E-mail: 王励钦 [wangliqin1992@gmail.com]

It is very nice to be a member of Malaspina International High School. Malaspina gives me a chance to make friends from all over the world. We are studying together and having great fun together. Our school organized a lot of activities that made us know each other better. Although all the students are from different countries we share our experiences and respect each other from the bottom of our hearts. Malaspina is located on the campus of Vancouver Island University so it offers us an opportunity to enjoy the facilities of the university and get involved in many university activities and programs. All the teachers and the staff at Malaspina are very friendly, enthusiastic and excellent. Here, students receive more personal care than other schools. If you want to know more information about Malaspina, I am glad to help you.

Colombia

Name: Maria Alejandra Tellez Correa
Program: Non-Graduation Program(2010)
Languages: English, Spanish
E-mail: ale_tellez_24@hotmail.com

When I started reading about Malaspina, I noticed many things not present in other schools. My experience at Malaspina High School was one of the best I've ever had. There were students from many countries who shared my same interests and I was able to become friends with a lot of people very quickly. Mr. Watson, the principal of the school, makes you feel like family and the teachers are really kind and know how to get students involved in academics and extra curricular activity. I thank Malaspina for every single moment I spent there and I am proud to tell my friends here in Colombia my experience in that wonderful place.

Germany

Name: Marvin Frick
Program: Graduation Program(2007)
Languages: English, German, French
E-mail: marvinkfrick@aol.com

“My time at Malaspina High School was the best time of my entire school-time. The teachers helped everybody to make the best out of himself or herself. They kept a close eye on the individuality of each student, which is essential for a good education. My time at Malaspina helped me to develop my strengths and to handle my weaknesses better. This school was a great foundation for my later career and my development in general. Now I am studying law at the German university "Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel" in Kiel and I will hopefully graduate in 2013.”

Germany, Aachen

Name: Viktoria Besten
Program: Non-Graduation Program(2011)
Languages: English, German, French
E-mail: vikbesten@live.com

“Being a student of Malaspina High School has shown me for the first time how many possibilities you can have in life. It enables you to look further than just to the next school year. You get to know lots of different cultures and hear of places that sound so new and exiting. The teachers at the school really care about you. They are not only interested in your marks but in all your personal interests and your future development. And the small number of students gives them the chance to spend time with every single student. I think the program is a great advantage to me and will help me to become more independent and better prepared for the future. I am looking forward to your email, to share my experiences with you.”

Germany, Darmstadt

Name: Lucas Schmid
Program: Non-Graduation Program(2010)
Languages: English, French, German
E-mail: lukas.schmid12@gmx.de

The first thing you should know about Malaspina is that it is in fact a small school with 100 pupils at most. But this fact guarantees a very positive atmosphere because of small classes and qualified teachers. Nowhere else you will find a school that assists you in the classroom like MHS does. There are so many possibilities to get involved. The school is part of the VIU campus, students from MHS are allowed to use the university's facilities like the library, gym or cafeteria. I also had the unique chance to participate in a first year university course (see: Scholarship Recipients). Malaspina also offers a lot of activities or day trips. We went camping for one night, went to Victoria for a day and went on a ski trip to Sun Peaks. Malaspina High School is special. You find new friends from all over the world. You have fun in school and still learn something. I took so much with me from this experience. Before I came to Canada I was just an average student. Well, at MHS I realized that I can do better.

Kuwait, Syria

Name: Kareem Hallak
Program: Graduation Program (2011)
Languages: English, Arabic
E-mail: kareem.7allak93@hotmail.com

“Malaspina has been a great journey for me. A small high school but has people from all over the world. I made so many friends and now wherever I travel I can say that I know someone from that place. Because it’s a small high school, the teachers could pay more attention to you. Overall this school has an amazing staff that would do anything to help you with what you need whether it was your visa or your graduation program. I recommend this school to anyone who likes to be in a small community and wants to focus on his studies while having a lot of fun with all the activities that the school has to offer. Now I am in the first year of my Computer Science Degree at Vancouver Island University.”

Hong Kong

Name: Tsz Kwan Grace Cheung
Program: Graduation Program (2008)
Language: English, Chinese
E-mail: gracecheung1020@yahoo.com.hk

“Hello, I am Tsz Kwan Grace Cheung, currently in my last year of my BBA Finance degree program at Vancouver Island University. I graduated from Malaspina High School in 2008. Small classroom size allowed me to have a strong friendship with my classmates, also teachers. Moreover, great teachers and the connection between high school and VIU made me have an easy path on my turning point. Furthermore, Nanaimo is a perfect place to study hard and play hard while enjoying the beauty of nature.  Don't hesitate to contact me. I am more than welcome to provide the information you need and help you in any ways I can.”

Mexico

Name: Jorge Jimenez Martinez
Program: Graduation Program (2011)
Language: English, Spanish
E-mail: elplayerj@hotmail.com

“I really enjoyed being a student at Malaspina High School. It is not a day to day thing to share a classroom with people from all over the world. I developed leadership skills I didn’t think I had and my English improved so much. I encourage anyone who is trying to find something new in life to enroll in Malaspina because I found something new and now I’m in pursuit of my dream as a great manager in the Hospitality Industry in Mexico. I’m sure anyone can find a start there. Anyone is welcome to ask me any questions. Just send me an e-mail and I’ll make sure I resolve your doubts.”

Mexico

Name: Roberto Peña Ramos
Program: Non-Graduation Program (2011)
Language: English, Spanish
E-mail: robertopr94@hotmail.com

“Hey fellows! Let me tell you a few things I found and enjoyed in Malaspina International High School as a student. First of all, it's situated in a small but gorgeous city called Nanaimo- I guess you already knew that but well I only wanted to make it sure- which has a harbour, many lagoons, parks, beaches and dozens of wild animals. Most of the city population is conformed by mere students looking for the same you are looking for: knowledge, a lifetime experience and a good time. Different from high schools I''ve been in, Malaspina`s student body, as well as teachers and staff, are friendly and respectful. I'm sure you're gonna like, as I did, this comfortable and cozy atmosphere. I needed to come back to my home country, Mexico, in order to do my senior year but luckily I'm going back to Malaspina for a university preparation program. Please don't hesitate to contact me.”

Mongolia

Name: Enkhjin Manlaibaatar (Angela)
Program: University Preparation Program
Language: English, Chinese, Mongolian, Russian
E-mail: angelala@live.com

I am Angela from Mongolia. I have met many lovely friends and good teachers. Also I live with a nice host family experiencing Canadian culture and style of living. I really like VIU campus with the view of the ocean and mountains and beautiful gardens. Malaspina High school is a good place to make friends from everywhere in the world. Everyone is very friendly and helpful. Occasionally the teachers helps you with every single question you ask. There is no way that you are left not understanding something. We have many additional things going on after school or during the break. Almost every week we go to watch movie, learn how to cook and have chocolate, cookie and hotdog sale. Also we go bowling, skiing, skating and dragon boating etc.

I enjoy spending time with my new friends, studying in a good school and living in a Canadian family. Coming to Canada to study was the best decision i have ever made!

Qatar

Name: Qassim Al- Jaidah
Program: Graduation Program (2012)
Language: English, Arabic
E-mail: jba.aljaidah@hotmail.com

“بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

This year in Malaspina High School is one of the best years of my life. I have met many people from all over the world, all continents and many countries such as Mexico, Germany, Japan, Nigeria, China and a lot more. It is a chance that happens once in a life time. Malaspina is a school anyone would want to be in. There are many programs that you can take here and no other high school offers it. Teachers concentrate on teaching you. They are all helpful and nice. This is a chance everyone will dream of!”

Russia

Name: Dimitri Tsoy
Program: Graduation Program (2010)
Language: English, Russia
E-mail: dimitri.tsoy@gmail.com

 

SFU is great! I really like it here in Vancouver, very different from Nanaimo but I miss being in Nanaimo.

Hey all, I really enjoyed being at Malaspina HS. I studied there for about two years and it was a fantastic experience starting out in Nanaimo, BC is a good place to start. Malaspina HS is wonderful for new beginnings, making new friends from all around the globe and learning something about western culture. We have an advantage over many high schools, as ours is based within a university itself, so coming to classes in Malaspina is great because it's surrounded by a university environment. Classes are not too big and perfect for learning, as you get very well acquainted with your teachers. At the same time, Malaspina plans out fun recreational school events, like snowboarding and skiing, surfing, paintball, and kayaking. All the teachers and staff are great and easy to talk to, and let's not forget about the sporty principle we have!

Thailand

Name: Parichat (Palm) Seesai
Program: Graduation Program (2012)
Language: English, Thai
E-mail: Parichatpalm@hotmail.com

I have studied at Malaspina since February 2009. Malaspina is the best school for everyone at every English level. I remember the first time I came to the school. I was so shy and nervous because my English was so limited. I was in ESL (English as a Second Language). I felt more comfortable in class because the teachers were very kind and students in class were in the same situation as me.  My English has improved a lot and I have become more confident around people. I love the activity at Malaspina such as Halloween party, Christmas party, field trips, and dragon boating. I have friends from all over the world. How amazing it is when I sit with friends from different countries at lunch, and I get a chance to taste food from different countries.

Vietnam

Name: Pham Cong Tuan
Program: Graduation Program (2012)
Language: English, Vietnamese
E-mail: phamcongtuan303@gmail.com

“Everyone, let me tell you my feeling about Malaspina. First of all, this is a very friendly school. Being a student here, you get a chance to have friends from different countries. You can learn and know a lot about the cultures that are very interesting. The teachers are enthusiastic and also give good knowledge. They care about you not only in study field but they are also interested in your life, your future. Being involved in the school activities helps me to improve my social skills; it makes me feel more confident so that I can achieve more successes in life. If you are planning to go to Malaspina and having some questions about this school, feel free to contact me, I will help you as much as I can.”