Marian Catholic High School is welcoming an international dimension to its campus as 10 students from six countries are attending for the 2026-27 school year.

Representing Brazil, Cambodia, France, South Korea, Spain and Vietnam, the students have traveled thousands of miles to become part of the Marian community.

While attending the school in Rush Township, they are living with carefully selected host families, giving them the opportunity to experience American life and Catholic education.

The arrival of international students provides Marian students with an opportunity to learn about different cultures, traditions, languages and perspectives without ever leaving the campus. It also creates opportunities for friendships that can extend far beyond a student’s time at Marian.

“One of the great gifts of a Catholic school is that it brings people together around something bigger than themselves,” said the Rev. Robert Finlan, principal. “Our international students remind us that the Marian family is part of something much larger than our school or even our local community. They bring their cultures, their experiences and their faith to us, and in turn, we have the privilege of welcoming them into our Marian family. I am excited to see the friendships that will develop and the ways our students will grow by learning from one another.”

The international students are participating in academics, athletics and extracurricular activities.

Nicole Dunn-Updegrave, director of student success, works closely with the international students.

“The beauty of welcoming international students is that the experience is transformative for everyone,” she said. “Our international students come to Marian ready to learn and experience a new culture, but they also have so much to teach us. Our students discover that friendship has no borders. They learn about other countries, families and traditions, and they develop relationships with classmates that can last a lifetime. Years from now, they may be living on opposite sides of the world, but they will always share the experience of being part of the Marian family.”

For the international students, the year living with host families allows them to experience family life, celebrate holidays and traditions, attend community events and develop relationships with families.

“Catholic education has always been about forming young people who recognize the dignity and value of every person,” Finlan said. “Welcoming students from around the world gives our young people a tangible opportunity to live that mission. We want every student who walks through our doors — whether they come from Tamaqua or from halfway around the world — to know that they belong here.”

The presence of international students also reflects Marian Catholic’s commitment to providing an educational experience that prepares students for an increasingly interconnected world.