By Stephen C. Schultz
“I can still remember him. He was socially awkward... always on his own. It was tough because English wasn’t his first language! He always walked alone on his way to school. He never really hung out with anyone... a real loner. I had a car, and sometimes I’d pass him on my way to school. Every once in a while, I’d give him a ride, but our conversations were strained. The day he passed away, I couldn’t believe it. Rumors had it he left a note for his parents that mentioned he just didn’t fit in.”
This memory highlights the challenges some students face, particularly those who feel out of place in a foreign environment. Over the years, I’ve noticed an increasing number of international students needing the specialized therapeutic and educational opportunities offered by Oxbow Academy.
In recent years, we have supported students from diverse countries such as the UK, Australia, Singapore, Israel, Brazil, Russia, Bermuda, Dubai, Guatemala, China, and Spain, to name a few.
Challenges faced by international students are unique. The parents of these students want nothing but the best for their teenagers. Many families make significant financial investments in international education, hoping to provide their children with brighter futures. Unfortunately, some students face emotional and behavioral challenges that derail these plans.
These challenges often include depression, anxiety, eating disorders, substance use, or Problematic Sexual Behavior (PSB). In some cases, students struggle with a combination of these issues, which negatively impacts their academic performance. It’s a difficult and embarrassing position for any teenager—failing or dropping out of school while studying abroad.
Oxbow Academy’s Approach
At Oxbow Academy, we provide an international boarding school experience that addresses students’ therapeutic needs while keeping them on track academically. We offer personalized solutions to help families and students achieve success despite the obstacles they face.
I’d like to share an experience I had in Montreal, Canada, while speaking with an educator. She told me about a young man from Dubai who was attending their school. This student struggled with PSB, and the school ultimately had to release him. Unfortunately, due to the nature of his behavior, returning home was not an option—there would have been dire consequences within his nation and culture.
The educator asked me, “Can you work with this student?”
My answer was, “Absolutely! It’s not uncommon for us to work with families whose sons have been expelled from American schools.”
Supporting Expelled Students
At Oxbow Academy, we specialize in helping teens who have been asked to leave boarding schools in the United States. Our students must speak English at an intermediate level to fully benefit from our programs.
If you know a student who meets these criteria or struggles with emotional or behavioral challenges, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m happy to help determine the best course of action for the student and their family.
SEVIS Certification
Since 2005, Oxbow Academy has been SEVIS Certified and authorized to issue Forms I-20 and maintain F-1/M-1 student records. We were recertified in 2024, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to supporting international students.
For more information, please visit our website: Oxbow Academy.
New Help! New Hope! No Secrets!
Comments